Fly Fishing - Sage Rod Repair

Kramsdell · Location: Monongahela

Hey i feel really noobish asking this, but are fly reels set up to work as either lefty or righty. i watched some videos on youtube and some guys would cast with right hand and reel with left hand but also cast with right hand and have the reel handle on right side. My concern is the drag on the reels. I cast right handed so do i reel with left or do i switch hands and reel with right. this is an embarrisment for me to ask this Embarassed

flymaw · Location: SC

Its all a personal preference. I cast right handed and reel right handed but I know people who do the opposite. Having the handle on the opposite side however can reduce the chances of line getting wrapped around the handle if a fish makes a run and the line is bouncing everywhere.

Kramsdell · Location: Monongahela

Alright thanks, i just was not sure if the drag system had any effect on which side u wanted your reel on. I just started fly fishing and bought a St.Croix Triumph Combo piece, now what i realized is if i am "reeling in on it" on a certain side, it lets line out, so im wondering if i have to set the line up different, or its a dominant side reel

boucallan · Location: canada

i am european,but lived 40 ods years in canada.as i am right anded,as kid,i lerned to handle a reel ( spinning ) so i do not see nor understand the change of hand fighting a fish,again the set up u are confortable with is the best.my buddies flyfisher are native and cast/retrive the same hand and they do not have anny problems !

sxm · Posted: Tue 09/28/10 8:00 am Post subject:

Go to a good fly rod shop and try both right and left retrieve, see what Is comfortable.

I cast with my right hand, but when I get a strike, I put my rod in my left hand and retrieve with my right (turn reel handle with right). Feels more comfortable to me.