Old, old, antique fishing reel question?

I am 48 and my Aunt gave me (when I was 9 or 10) a few steel rods equiped with level wind direct geared reels which my uncle (deceased) had used for Bass fishing.

I tried my best as a kid to cast with them and could get no further than a few feet. I would try harder and end up with a huge braided line backlash. My Aunt was no help when I asked her how in the world my Uncle Hurley would get these heavy outfits to work...she would tell me my Uncle just knew how to "thumb" them somehow???

I was a typical kid, and somehow misplaced all the inherited gear...sad I know but I enjoyed using all the stuff for many years growing up...many balsa lures and other treasures...sigh.

My question :(as I go stir crazy sitting inside during winter.)

How in the world did they manage to cast these outfits which did not free spool??? I asked many older men at the time and they were no help.

(I thought some of you older experts might shed some light on a question I have pondered for many years.)

Hope all of you stuck indoors are keeping sane...and to those of you in warmer climates...stick a few for me.

Suthern

You're aunt was right, reels like that required an educated thumb. I'm coming up on 48 pretty quick but the rod and reel that you describe is pretty much what my first rod and reel was. I remember having to throw fairly heavy lures in order to get any distance at all. I would guess 1/2 oz. and up would be the baits to try. I also remember throwing a lot of backlashes.

I think it's a hoot to use those old reels today. I love catching fish when the only drag is my thumb. Sure, I get a backlash every now and then, but I just take the time to untangle and keep on fishing. When Bob R. first sent out the Secret Weapon prototypes, I spent one day thowing a chartreuse and white 1/2 oz bait on a steel rod equipped with a Shakespeare Criteron left hand retreive reel. I caught four or five bass and I promise you that I enjoyed the fight much more than I do than with my beloved Curados. I use the old reels for catfishing because I love to hear the scream of a reel's click when a big cat makes his first run. I've caught some good cat and also some big buffalo up to 27 pounds. Again -- part of the fun is using your thumb for the drag. I highly recommend trying one of the old reels if you can find one. Family, Friends, Fishing, Rob Storm http://stormsrestaurants.com