Sore Thumb

[johnstoeckel]

I seem to be getting a sore thumb in my casting / rod hand. The soreness is in the base of the thumb -- in the last joint and radiating down towards my wrist a bit. It's not unbearably sore, but it's bothersome enough that I'm icing my thumb and I would hate for it to get worse.

I've been fishing a bit more than usual this year -- once or twice a week for the last 6 weeks or so -- but only small stream trout fishing with a 4 wt rod.

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to deal with this. Perhaps I'm just getting old with a touch of arthritis.

[Jack Hise]

John;
It may be too much wrist action and trying to "Push" the forecast with your thimb.

[Mike Thomas]

I agree with Jack, it sounds like you grip your rod with your thumb on top? If so try to change your grip to move your thumb around to the side and see if that helps. I think J.C. did an article not long ago on different grip styles.
All the best.
Mike.

[Big Bad Wulff]

Ibuprophen

[crazy4oldcars]

Ibuprophen

WD40 My Grandmother swore by it!!

Kirk

[cwtob]

WD40 My Grandmother swore by it!!

Kirk

And don't forget some Windex.

[Gnu Bee Flyer]

I have a video where the instructor says to have your thumb on top but use a relaxed grip rather than a death grip on the rod. I have relaxed my grip quite a bit and it seems to help. Also It does seem like you may have a little arthritis as suggested.

Arthritis is sometimes alleviated by wearing gloves, those fingerless ones may be the ticket. You never know.

[jcfly]

By chance, are you a bowler? Many moons ago, I was and had just what you described.

[crazy4oldcars]

I sometimes get the same symptoms from playing a video game I stole from my kid. The big knuckle joint at the base of my thumb starts hurting. I usually have to layoff the game for a few days to give it a chance to recover.
I found that if I use the ball of my thumb instead of the tip, it alleviates some of the stress, but habits are hard to break.
It's tough, sometimes, getting old and being a kid at heart.

Kirk

[johnstoeckel]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I do put my thumb on top of the rod, so I guess I'll try sliding it around to the side and see how that works.

I have my annual doc appointment coming up so I'll see what he has too say too. I suspect he'll just suggest fishing less which didn't seem to come up with any of you guys