There are many reasons to prefer left or right hand retrieve fly fishing. They involve launching and casting the leader (along with the appropriate bait). Or it might affect the recovery phase, possibly helping or disturbing any combat with the prey.

Is right hand retrieve fly fishing just a habit?

Many believe that it is a natural predisposition. The fact of being left-handed or right-handed should be enough to explain why one way is better than the other. Yet, we can consider some meaningful details that make us wonder what is actually going on. Let's see why!

Let's think about practical reasons that could support using the right hand to retrieve fly fishing. Why mount the reel on the rod with the handle on the right or left?

The numerous users of automatic reeling have obviously chosen to skip this discussion by adopting a different technology. The other fly fishermen try out either way.

Both methods work. Then, maybe some prefer one or the other for aesthetic reasons or tradition. Once you learned to fly fish following an effective method, why would you change it?

As usual, here is an opportunity for everyone to reflect. As it should be. What seems to happen every time is that developing a system makes the fisherman's recovery technique relevant to his/her needs.

The practical reasons: who uses a left hand retrieve when fly fishing?

The most common reason is that the handle of the crank annoys the fisherman. One might choose to right hand retrieve fly fishing baits because it gets easier to position oneself.

The rod could also limit the position for retrieval, creating a problem. Sometimes, the appropriate rod affects the way we cast and battle with the fish. Take the design of a switch fishing rod, for example. This design is more versatile, and it lets fishermen cast with one hand or both. Click here to view a Maxcatch Switch Fly Fishing Rod kit for a light switch fishing rod design.

A lack of experimentation with different positions of the reel could mean a lack of use of the reel in the first place. Using your hands to pinch the line may be fun. However, it is a habit that could lead to cuts or skin chafing. Many wear gloves and transform the problem into a humidity problem. Developing a left or right hand retrieve fly fishing routine could help your skin to restore itself.

What can we learn from hand retrieving?

Remember the last time you caught a fish. If it annoyed you to pass the rod from one hand to another, then you might need to change the position of the reel.

Start with a different reel seat. Try out different rod designs. You do not have to choose the right hand retrieve fly fishing method because your dad told you so. Traditions are also tricky, and it would be better to test them out.

It is important to avoid anything that can distract you from your goal. However, if it makes reaching the goal easier, you better test it out.