The Rod Hand

 

There are 3 hands in fly fishing: the rod hand, the line hand and the reel hand.  If you are right handed, you will most likely use your right hand to hold and cast the fly rod.  This is your "rod hand."  Your left/opposite hand will then be your "line hand."  It will hold and control the fly line.  You can use either hand as the "reel hand", whichever you prefer.  However, it is certainly a matter of personal preference as to which hand you use for any of these functions.  Your tackle, flies or the fish won't know the difference.

Flyfishing is an either-handed sport.  Fly rods and reels accommodate either a right or left-handed caster.  Only specialized fly rod grips made with a "thumb rest" are hand-specific.

Most modern reels can be easily adjusted for use by either hand.  Which you use depends upon which hand/arm is most "coordinated."

Which hand do I reel with?

The “reel hand” is the hand that operates the reel.  Since modern reels can be easily adjusted for use by either hand, which you use to operate the reel should depend upon which hand/arm is most "coordinated" to do so.  Although most fly reels come from the manufacturer set up to reel with the left hand, there is no “conventional” hand to use.  We highly recommend using the hand that will consistently operate the reel most easily and reliably.

Previous / Next, let's review the role of the line hand in the fly cast