"Willi" wrote in message

Interesting that most people seemed to favor the use of the wrist. The
last time this was brought up on ROFF, not many people expressed that in
the face of Mike C's pronouncement that the wrist should never be used -
broken.

Willi




A most remarkable attribution, and quite untrue.

"Using" the wrist, is not at all the same thing as allowing it to "break".

Apart from which, "using" the wrist properly becomes progressively more
difficult, the heavier the gear. Most people will merely end up damaging
themselves "using" their wrists with heavy, too long, or otherwise
inappropriate gear. The same thing will occur with uncontrolled "breaking".

Many beginners have a major problem casting at first, because they
allow their wrists to break uncontrollably. This simply results in poor
stops, uncontrolled timing, and a number of other errors.

Not using the wrist at all, makes it is easier to learn the basic
principles.

Once you know them, you can use your wrist as much as you like. Indeed, if
you want to be a really good caster, you must do so. Trying to do it
beforehand usually results in failure. This is why many instructors advocate
casting with a locked wrist, and the elbow at the side to begin with. This
automatically prevents a large number of errors from occurring, and suffices
for the distances required in normal river fishing.

If you do not bend your wrist, you can not make any of the mistakes
associated with doing so, and you can not hurt yourself either.

TL
MC