[dryflylarry]

Beginning my old man aches and pains after 57 years of fly fishing. I need a recommendation on how to prevent pain in my thumb. Last year was my first year of chasing Tiger Musky and was casting all day with big stuff. It was killer on my thumb. Is there, are there anything of a support or glove that anyone can recommend to prevent or ease the pain from fishing with 9-10 wt rod all day? Thank you. Any others with fly fishing aches and pains are welcome here to tell their remedies.

 

[Dipnet]

Any others with fly fishing aches and pains are welcome here to tell their remedies.

Vitamin I (ibuprofen) and adult beverages!

 

[freestoneangler]

Non-casting shoulder some years ago that flared up. X-ray showed some calcium deposits rubbing the tendon that goes through one of the 90 degree holes (questionable design ). A steroid shot and the pain was gone by the time I got home from the doctors office. That is amazing stuff. I've since had a couple of very mild reoccurrences, but I rest it and it goes away.

More recently a case of plantar fasciitis, but I'm pretty certain that was golf related. With advice from some on the forum, that has been throttled and not an issue for almost a year now.

I do know that doing lots of reach mends tends to make my casting shoulder ache - so I just try not to over do it. Other than those, no major issues.

 

[Golden Trout]

instaflex

 

[Buzzy]

A couple things come to mind; the action of your rods - are they really fast action? If so that might be a contributing factor. What about grip type? A different grip might be better. Other than these - getting old is not a game for wimps. Good Luck.

 

[GOTY]

I've found reading the steelhead forum gives me such a brutal headache that I forget about all other body pains. Still sucks, but at least I can fish. Worth a shot.

 

[IveofIone]

Wow-Larry-you and I have been at this fly fishing thing for a combined 122 years! No wonder we ache. Unfortunately there is only one cure for old age and it is a permanent one. My only suggestion would be to leave the tiger muskies to the younger guys and find some fish that are happy being landed on a 3 or 4 wt. As I approach eighty a 9 or 10 wt rod has about as much appeal as a 60# backpack.

Is it arthritis that is bothering you? What do the xrays look like? I'm not sure there is any long term relief that doesn't involve drugs of some kind but it sure would be nice if you could find some comfort with therapy or supplements of some kind. Good luck with finding some help, let us know if you find the magic bullet.

 

[Squamishpoacher]

Wow-Larry-you and I have been at this fly fishing thing for a combined 122 years! No wonder we ache. Unfortunately there is only one cure for old age and it is a permanent one. My only suggestion would be to leave the tiger muskies to the younger guys and find some fish that are happy being landed on a 3 or 4 wt. As I approach eighty a 9 or 10 wt rod has about as much appeal as a 60# backpack.

Is it arthritis that is bothering you? What do the xrays look like? I'm not sure there is any long term relief that doesn't involve drugs of some kind but it sure would be nice if you could find some comfort with therapy or supplements of some kind. Good luck with finding some help, let us know if you find the magic bullet.

Ibuprofen and glucosamine bisulphate.

 

[Nick Clayton]

High CBD strain has always worked well for me...

 

[FinLuver]

Remedy = Spinning Rod/Reel...

 

[dryflylarry]

Thanks for the replies thus far. Ive has probably got the right idea, stay away from the 9-10 wts and Tiger Muskie, but that may be tough to do. I do have arthritis acting up in my shoulders, but I have been working on that at the gym a bit and it is helping. I do believe in therapists. If that doesn't work I'll have to consider a steroid shot. I had a steroid shot in my lower back for my sciatic problem and haven't had a problem since. Ibprofen is out. My doc says to avoid that stuff most of the time for other reasons I won't get into. Although Aleve can save the day for pain. Suppose to avoid that also. The thumb is the real killer. It got so bad last summer I could hardly cast! Any wrist/thumb supports out there???

 

[Manwell Lotion]

So sad that I am only 33 and have so much in common with you guys. Good news is though, and ironic that this thread was made as I was going to make my own. I scheduled my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon for next friday. Time to get this shit going.

 

[Jeremy Floyd]

Getting old ain't for the meek

 

[Manwell Lotion]

Beginning my old man aches and pains after 57 years of fly fishing. I need a recommendation on how to prevent pain in my thumb. Last year was my first year of chasing Tiger Musky and was casting all day with big stuff. It was killer on my thumb. Is there, are there anything of a support or glove that anyone can recommend to prevent or ease the pain from fishing with 9-10 wt rod all day? Thank you. Any others with fly fishing aches and pains are welcome here to tell their remedies.

I have to deal with extreme rheumatoid arthritis in both hip joints (needing replacement), and still find the will to get out and fish as much as I can. My best advice is see your doctor, it may be some arthritus that is building up that a quick surgery can fix. For pain, talk to your doc about meloxicam as that is what I am on. I also take turmeric, and glucosamine chondroiton. For the bad days I have percocet but force myself to find other means of pain relief. Therefore, I fill my perfocet once every 6 months. Go see the doc and he or she will help you. Again..............GO SEE THAT DOC.

 

[IveofIone]

Larry, it seems like there ought to be something like a mini whirlpool bath that you could have warm water in and jets to recirculate it like a spa. Just as soaking in the spa after the whole days fishing eases a lot of stress and pain a smaller version would certainly be a benefit to a sore hand. The only thing close that I can think of is a foot spa with recirculating jets. Some are heated and hold water at <115 degrees.

It would not only help the hand but sitting on your dead ass and soaking your dying feet at the end of the day would be an added plus.

 

[wadin' boot]

I have to deal with extreme rheumatoid arthritis in both hip joints (needing replacement), and still find the will to get out and fish as much as I can.

Dan that it a hard thing to have to deal with. Stay with it, hope things go well.

 

[Old406Kid]

Larry, I have the same thumb issue likely from a lifetime of pounding nails.
This along with what others have suggested pretty well sums it up.
http://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/thumb#Overview1

 

[Smalma]

Larry --
I hear you; I'm entering my 62 year of fly fishing in recent years have had trouble with my wrist, elbow, and thumb.

I agree with some of the others about using ibuprofen as needed. However I also found that if I stop and thinking about what is going on with my casting/fishing play that was causing the stress and resting pain. Once I forced myself to look closely at what was causing the stress I found that I could control it somewhat (though not eliminate) by modifying my techniques. One obvious step is take short breaks in the fishing; say every 15 to 30 minutes.

For example went through a period where I was having trouble with my elbow after a day of hard fishing (especially when play numbers of large fish). Found that by modifying the way I held my rod provided relief; in this case I pull my elbow in to my belt for some support and subjecting to less torque on the joint. When ever I feel the slightest tinge of pain forcing myself alter the rod position helped a lot. With my thumb I typically had problems when I was for extended periods casting at near my casting limit. I found that I could get relief by modify my thumb positon on the rod several times a hour and/or take a fishing break by moving or looking for a situation where I wasn't casting as far or frequently.

Another adjustment I have made is by eliminating weighted flies and paying close detail to fly constructions I can fish with lighter (easier on the body) rods than what might be considered normal. For example in your tiger musky fishing by tying without weight, using water shedding materials, lighter wire hooks, etc. you maybe able to fish flies with similar profiles and be as effectively with a lighter weight rod (say an 8 weight). After all with the fly rod chasing muskies, steelhead, etc. the playing of the fish (usually not more than a few times a day) is much less stressful than the repeating casting and one can usually learn to successful handle the fish with a rod that is couple weights lighter.

Making any or all of the "adjustments" isn't easy but beats the heck out of not fishing.

Good luck
Curt

 

[Thrasybulus]

Practice casting left handed, take the stress off your dominant hand/arm.

 

[SilverFly]

Beginning my old man aches and pains after 57 years of fly fishing. I need a recommendation on how to prevent pain in my thumb. Last year was my first year of chasing Tiger Musky and was casting all day with big stuff. It was killer on my thumb. Is there, are there anything of a support or glove that anyone can recommend to prevent or ease the pain from fishing with 9-10 wt rod all day? Thank you. Any others with fly fishing aches and pains are welcome here to tell their remedies.

Sorry to hear that. I have heard a few success stories with chronic pain relief using cannibis based oils (non-hallucinogenic). None of whom were recreational users (as far as I know). Just going off what I've been told, so not sure if this stuff is really legit or not. Might be something worth looking into though.

I will say there's some serious irony if the stuff really works, considering much of the current addiction epidemic started with prescription pain Rx use.

Oh yeah, I'd also advise against chasing tuna with a fly rod.

Hope you can find some relief.