Thanks, Zurf ...
Read his book "Flyfishing for Smallmouth", and he explained some of those techniques you describe. I started using a Type I sinking line years ago, for fishing Atlantic Salmon in high water. I eventually got in the habit of hauling it back for a roll cast first, and then pulling it off for a proper cast. I've got an ORVIS 9' - 9wt with an extra fast tip for salmon, so it as plenty of muscle to handle that kind of thing.
Our open season for trout & bass starts on April 1st, so the guitars will suffer some neglect for a while :-)