I was out practicing with the new fly rod in the front yard the other day and when I came in I saw my 10 year old son with his face pressed to the window. I had recently taken him fishing with a spincast setup for the first time and we had a great time. I thought "what the heck, he did well casting that" so next time I went I out I brought him with me. Within 10 minutes he was matching my casts (not a big feat but he's 10 and this is a 9wt!) He had to use 2 hands on the rod for most of the time but he was getting the little popper across the yard. I suppose it's further proof that you don't have to muscle the cast to get it out. I may have a fishing buddy that will outdo me shortly.