TAKEOFF
THE DEAL
AnGLER AILMEnTS
HOW THREE VETERAN PROS HAVE OVERCOME INJURIES SUFFERED IN TOURNAMENT COMPETITION By Colin Moore
not counting the mental stress that stubborn fish inflict , tournament fishermen are likely to suffer various aches and pains that require medical treatment and perhaps surgery at some point in their careers . Typically , the pain is the result of joint issues such as in the arms or legs . Some anglers hit the trifecta , experiencing a variety of physical problems . We didn ’ t have to go far to find examples from the FLW Tour ranks .
angler : Larry Nixon
ailment : various arm injuries cause and effect : Several years ago , Nixon tore a tendon in his right arm while ripping a Rat-L-Trap through hydrilla at Lake Seminole . Worse yet , Nixon later developed carpal tunnel syndrome in his right hand from using his thumb thousands of times to push the spool release button on his baitcasters . It affected his grip on the rod and his ability to set hooks and to fish big crankbaits . Treatment : A surgeon reattached Nixon ’ s tendon . Cortisone shots and minor surgery were prescribed for the carpal tunnel syndrome . outcome and prognosis : After the tendon operation , it took Nixon about a year to hit full stride again . Ditto for the carpal tunnel syndrome , and Nixon also made himself learn how to pitch and flip left-handed . He says his right thumb gets “ numb and useless ” when the air temperature hits 45 or below , but otherwise serves him well .
PHOTO BY ROB NEWELL
30 flwfiShing . com i february-march 2017