Fishing The Fly Scotland
Index => Tackle Talk => Topic started by: Matt Henderson on 12/09/2012 at 20:01
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All,
I've now reached a ripe old age and have the obligatory dodgy back. Has anybody got/used one of the Simms back supports or a similar one by another company?
Cheers
Matt
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Get yourself to a motorcycle shop. Lots of different ones available at a fraction of the cost of a Simms, including ones what you can put a heat pack into.
I got mine (a bike one) from Lidl for £8. Its spot on and really rather good.
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Has anybody got/used one of the Simms back supports or a similar one by another company?
Hi Matt,
I use the cheaper of the two Simm's back supports (£50) and it helps, though my back is really bad so I still suffer ! I tried the Snowbee Support and whilst much cheaper I found it offered little support and was more of a back warmer. Wear them over your waders not under ! The Simm's one is designed for angling, is durable and will not suffer if submerged.
Lindsay
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Forgot to say, the bike ones are for external use so are waterproof and have rigid strips to offer support.
Another option are the supports used by horse riders. Also offering more support than Simms.
I used to use the Simms "Backsaver" but it really did not do anything for my back.
I guess every back has different needs, and mine needs a larger, more rigid support.
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Matt,
I'm not a kiropracticerist but I guess there may be a couple of things going on.
1st thing I'd do is find out if the casting technique is being sympathetic to your spine. When I feel my back twinging a little I start to consciously hold the rod more lightly or rotate more smoothly, you know the type of thing.
Are you a fat unfit monkey like me that would be told be warm up before exercise and become more flexible if seeking a medical opinion?
There's no point in getting a titanium bodice manufactured as it's not getting to the root cause.
I seem to recall that you may have something going on with your back so it's important to look long term.
I have a LOOP back support which you are more than welcome to try meantime.
Get Ben to watch your mechanics and get yourself a yoga video.....that's my serious answer.
Iain
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Iain,
You’re not wrong, I’ve got degenerative disc disease in the lowest three discs in my spine (fancy name for wear and tear). It’s not repairable so I do have to be careful. Rotation is quite bad for me. I’m currently attending Pilates classes up to twice a week which is really helping. However I’m buggered if I’m stopping fishing.
Aye perhaps a trip out to darkest Donside to see Ben would do my back and my casting a world of good. May well take you up on that offer.
Cheers
Matt
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Matt,
You sound in a worse state than me dude. I have a ruptured disc in my lower vert ( I think no.3). Have had it since 2005 and at its worst every step I took felt like someone sticking a knife in and twisting it.....don't mind admitting I was nearly greeting even for a big lad like me ! It won't get better and the only thing I was offered was a big Op to staple my spine to my hip. No thanks ! Fishing really can aggrevate it but this reflects me stalking fish, crouching down below skylines, walking on uneven banks etc. When I get home I am often in a fair bit of pain.
To help I try to limit my fishing time to only the peak feeding periods and this year have only been casting (dries) to rising and feeding fish and these 'economy' practises have certainly helped. Wading deep can also burger up bad backs so consider not wading if you can. I still go home 'as stiff a boad' and in quite a bit of pain, but I am usually ok after some of my stretches and physio exercises and can go out again the next day to do it all again. Like you, there ain't no way I am not going fishing so it is a question of pain 'management'.
The Simms 'Backsaver' definitely helps to a point on these punctuated sessions I do. You also get supports that specifically target the sacro-illiac area which may offer more support depending where the pain manifests.
Cheers,
Lindsay
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I'm no quite that bad as I haven’t actually ruptured the discs just a bit of bulging but at 29 ( :oops) it's not a great place to be. I might ask the physio that I go to about if they can suggest something. I've found that through pilates I can use the exercises to straighten myself out when I'm struggling. Fishing for a whole day isn’t too bad I just tend to find that I struggle with standing for that length of time. I have been known to have to nip off for a pot of tea mid morning whilst fishing just so that I can have a seat.
It does sound like a back support may help me be a bit more comfortable for a days fishing.
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hi Matt,
excellent advise from all and i particularly liked Iain's approach concerning the casting aspect. re-learning casting, body movements and posture can make an enormous difference.
i too have chronic lower back problems and have had them for almost 40 years. the Simms Magic belt http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/backmagic_wading_belt.html?id=UpHUZbAx:92.145.94.38 (or a similar design) is the only real support that helps in any significant manner. the other types are just 'wide belts'. sure, it's expensive but sometimes these situations warrant it. i got mine on sale a few years ago at Glasgow Angling for 40£
cheers,
marc
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+1 on the exceeding expensive Simms belt .If on a week of salmon fishing its my most important item of clothing .
it really does work for me especially when using the bigger rods for sunkline in the spring or odd times back end .
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My Simms belt arrived today, looks more like some sort of lingerie but have so far refrained from trying it on in the office. Got a days fishing on friday (Weather permitting) so will put it to the test then.
Matt
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Might try the Simms 'truss' Magic Belt jobbie myself next season, cheers guys. Do you wear that one under or over waders ?
Lindsay
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over, Lindsay.
inside makes it difficult to adjust. since it has a great 'quick adjust' system it's a shame to miss out on it.
going in tough spots - tighten it well, when taking a break or changing spots or driving- let it loose or even take it off.
there's nothing in it's construction that would go bad in either fresh or salt water although i would rinse it off (like anything else) in the latter.
cheers,
marc
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Thanks Marc - the Simms Backsaver was a helluva improvement over the Snowbee one and if this one is even sturdier then that will be the one for me. Costly, but then again a phucked back is too in that it stops you fishing !
Lindsay
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stuck it on briefly last night, feels like it will make a hugh difference to my comfort levels over the course of a day. Will let you know after a test drive on friday. (Where did I put those tungsten tubes?)
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Got out for the day on Friday. Wore the ultra expensive Simms wading belt. It fastens at the front and then there is adjustment at the back. Took a few shots to get it on and then be able to get it really tight. However it is very supportive. It really held my lower back in the correct position. As mentioned by mark it adjusts very easily so could slacken it off to sit down and then tighten it up after lunch.
So all indications suggest that the £90 was worth it!
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However it is very supportive.
Why? did it say things like "nice cast", "good fly choice", "there's always another day" :X1
Glad it was a success Matt :z16
Any fish?
Iain
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Why? did it say things like "nice cast", "good fly choice", "there's always another day" :X1
Glad it was a success Matt :z16
Any fish?
Iain
Iain,
Thanks for your constructive comments. Sadly the belt doesn't talk. No fish although the Lower Dee was stuffed with fish. One of the other rods had one and the opposite bank had two. Watching Jim Fearnes cast is something special, he can fairly put out a line!
Are you not off out shopping at the GAC?