Jerry Puckett on Rods and Style

The rods today are made so that the spline is hardly detectable and therefore less need for splining. Hence the 4 piece cast as well as a two piece . That is why you are finding very few manufactures producing two piece rods. Add the travel convenience and I think you will understand four and five piece rods dominating the market.

The terms used to describe rods today are soft, medium and stiff. The word progressive refers to a rod that loads uniformly all the way to the butt on a long distance cast. Jason has a good discussion on this in his book.

There is so much difference between rod makers today that it is hard to come up with a terminology and nomenclature to describe rods in general. That is why I always encourage one to cast a rod before purchase if possible to see if it fits the individual.

The Yellowstone rod is made of Modulus graphite 8 which is about as strong as you can make a graphite rod without other alloys being added. One thing Gordy pointed out was that in these lower priced rods there is no way to make general judgments, there is a wide range of variance

I am firing the line you have on a 7 weight Yellowstone rod between 100-105 feet. Added to the fact that it does all things well at all distances. I am fairly relaxed when doing this.

Jason makes a point that I cannot stress enough--work on smoothness and relaxed tempo and control in practice. When I fish I never think in practice terms just doing the cast as the situation demands. Just let it flow.

As far as the stop goes it can be overpowered but only the accomplished casters have the strength and technique to do so on the back cast. When you stop the cast either forward or back cast immediately relax the grip as you drift. This helps dampen rebound and helps prevent tension and tightness. Tight and smooth do not go together.

Another term that creates a tailing loop is called Creep and that is when one starts the stroke before the line has completely straightened in either direction thus shortening the available stroke. Finding oneself behind on the stroke then one rushes the stroke causing an abrupt power spike, a dip in the tip, rebound, and hence the concavity of the stroke and resulting tailing loop.

As far as weight used I use all weights in practice sometimes three different ones in a day to place learning demands on myself to put timing, tempo and essentials into a balanced and smooth casting stroke. This really helps when you use a students rod for demonstration or in casting tournaments. I aim at being able to use any rod with a little swinging practice of the magic wand.

I practice a lot with a 10 weight as suggested by Jason Borger which builds strength and makes the lighter weights a piece of cake in casting. Also makes salt water fishing a great deal less surprising and taxing. I have hand weights, lite, that I use to keep casting muscles toned. Dr. Gordon Hill is 76 and has a slow jogging routine with hand weights he lifts over head. You should see him cast, puts me to shame.

You have self diagnosed, practice with that same sense of innate timing you have when fishing. I have never figured out why we adopt two different styles one in fishing and one in casting practice but is something I encounter in myself and students. Slow down breath deeply and smell river as you practice and cast opposite hand, that will slow one down. When you rest hold the rod in the opposite hand to rest casting hand. If you practice a stroke more than about seven times you go back to old ingrained habits so rest and think about what you are trying to accomplish.

I don't know why but I get the feeling you are working too hard in your practice so think river, relax and scratch your head on the heavens and think of the rod as a temple channeling all that is good in the Universe through your rod into you. Silly, but it works for me.

I too have very small hands that are damaged from slugging it out in police work and rely on all grips over a day of practicing and fishing. So what are three grips you can use and practice--fair game on the CCI test!

Try and get into some kind of strengthening routine to delay having to adapt style to aging infirmity. Worth a shot.

I love Lefty and his gifts but I have found that in trying to learn each casting style from the gurus as an advantage. I am better able to suggest ways to cast to individuals with different physical builds and attitudes.

I have come up with my own style which seems to take a little from everyone and I hope helps make me a better teacherand caster. I am a work in progress still trying to learn and get better. I try to work within a persons style that he brings to casting and rarely try to suggest a change in a persons style unless it is grossly amiss in the essentials and may lead to injury.

I'd like to point out that top end quality modern graphite rods of the various manufacturers I've tried, have practically undetectable splines (spines).....not enough to make a difference when casting. That is true of the new 8' 10" ONE PIECE Loomis salt water models. The only drawback to these rods is that they are in no way, "travel rods".....but are a joy for guides and guys like me who use them in the salt day after day without traveling.