I couldn't agree more Simon.
Personally, I have always struggled with the pickup on long-headed lines. I just don’t know what the technique is? I once tried a 75ft Mastery spey line ( a nice supple line) and simply could not pick the whole head off the water - well not without much effort and much rod bending - and ending with the rod tip so high that I simply had to drop it down again which gave me the classic bloody-L.
I read all the time of people using long headed lines but, I have to stay, I rarely see it on the river bank! And when I do the caster is normally in trouble from start to finish
The only people I see who use them effectively are the ghillies who seem to use massive amounts of strength and energy (and very strong Bruce & Walker rods).
What is the secret to picking up long heads? Stand on casting platform? It certainly isn’t deep wading!
Cheers
Colin.