Hirdy Well-known member Jan 26, 2017 #12 G'day Denny,
Although I don't personally have arthritis, I can empathise fully with you. My wife has had it in her hands since she was a teenager.
I use ergonomic grips of various types because my hands hurt after a serious session with factory grips. No arthritis, but carpal tunnel syndrome. It's preventative measure in my case.
You've already been given good advice above. Increasing the grip size is the easiest step and bike tube is a good start. Try wrapping it in electrical or gaffer tape to enhance the shape and then encase the lot in the heat-shrink wrap you can buy at Mudhole. That'll give you a semi-permanent modification that can be removed later if you want to move the rod on.
I go a step further and use epoxy resin putty to make an ergonomic grip. I made a video of how I did it four years ago (now I wrap in heat shrink.)
If you're looking to get a new rod, there are a few things you can do to make life easier.
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Buy a shorter rod. 8' or less makes the swing weight MUCH less. My 8' 10wt rods feel like I'm casting an 8wt rod and I'll happily throw them all day with absolutely no fatigue. Try out a Sage Largemouth Bass II - lovely rod but it's really a 9wt in my hands.
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Get an 8' rod custom-built with the Maniform grips mentioned above. They are very comfortable and I use them on every rod I make for myself. I've got over a dozen now ...
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Select a slower-action rod, one that bends closer to the grip. The swing weight is less on slower action rods because the lever arm shortens more. Fibreglass rods are very good for this. The Epic Bandit comes to mind for your application, but it's not a distance rod (if that matters to you.) Mine really only get used when I can limit my casting distances to less than 80'.
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As mentioned by others, a two hander will make life easier too. I don't have any advice on them though, since I've only just started playing with them myself.
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Lastly, and most importantly as far as I'm concerned, is to make sure you are casting as efficiently as possible. A very efficient cast puts very little strain on the body at most distances. A well timed and full double haul makes distance casting easier, but a shorter stroke DH used at ANY distance will enhance most casts. The DH can make the loop very tight, so less total effort is required to put the fly where it's needed. Good casters "make it look easy", because it really is easy for them.
Good luck with it. Don't give it up because exercise is good to keep the joints moving. As they say, use it or lose it. :)
Cheers, Graeme