something i learned from john and amy hazel from lessons i took from them this summer on the deschutes, and re-iterated in their new instructional DVD/video, is the "90 degree" principle when starting the snake roll cast. in effect, where you start your rod, in preperation to "drawing" your egg shape with the tip, needs to be 90 degrees to where you want your cast to go. want to snake roll directly across stream, 90 degrees is a rod pointing directly down stream. want a 45 degree down stream cast, start your rod pointed down stream 45 degrees, behind you, TOWARDs near bank. want to cast 45 degrees UPSTREAM, start the rod 45 degrees down stream towards the opposite bank. this made a HUGE difference for me in problems i was having with this cast. in following the "90 degree principle", you set the line up to follow Simon G.'s 180 degree principle that is so often quoted and taught (rightly so). sounds like you've solved some of your bugs, but you may want to keep this in mind the next time you're on the water...
feiger