Abstract: A method and means for pulling a sucker rod string from a well is disclosed. A separable connector is provided in the sucker rod string above the pump body. The connector comprises a male and a female section having aligned openings and joined by a shear pin within said openings. The force required to shear the pin and separate the sections of the connector is substantially greater than that required for normal operation of a downhole reciprocating pump or similar tool but is substantially less than the weight of the fluid column above the downhole reciprocating pump. The disclosed methods include insertion of this connector into a sucker rod string, such as one including fiberglass sucker rods, above the pump. The pump is then operated in the normal known fashion. To remove the sucker rod string, tension in the string is increased above that required to operate the pump until the pin within the connection shears, separating the sucker rod string from the pump.