What are the advantages of casting with the left vs the right hand depending on which bank you are standing on?

Putting it another way, I'm left-handed and much prefer to cast with my left hand, so all other factors being equal, what are the pros and cons of standing on each bank?

I'm not exactly an expert caster - but (LOL) - you may not have a choice of which bank you use and the wind could be up or downstream so wind is actually a bigger factor (especially if you don't want to end up wearing the fly !)

In an ideal world you would learn to cast with either hand. The other option (and I am a leftie too) is simply to angle the rod over your head during the cast so that you are effectively casting from the other shoulder.

Nigel

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If it doesn't fit, use a bigger hammer!

Fair enough. I'm still puzzled about the precise effects of a left hand vs a right hand cast. Must be a simple matter of geometry I can't quite grok...

The 'rules' are - always keep the fly downwind of you and downwind of the rod so that it can't be blown into you....also, don't try to cast across your own line otherwise a tangle will almost certainly ensue !

Nigel

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If it doesn't fit, use a bigger hammer!

Being a left handed caster makes you a popular boat companion. At the moment, I do as BiB suggests and cast across my right shoulder, but I find my accuracy suffers. I had one go on the river with my right hand and overshot the pool by about 6 ft. Like most lefties, I am fairly ambidextrous and may work on this.

left handed doesnt mean you have to change hands on opposite banks, you keep the rod in your left hand but take the rod over your right shoulder,a good bit of practice and you will find it quite easy,obviously not as nice as using your normal left hand

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GAIA INSTRUCTOR

Pardon my ignorance, but I'm afraid my question is more basic than these kindly meant answers are assuming. Let me try and put it another way...

Suppose I cast with the left hand over the left shoulder as normal. What will be the difference in the cast compared to a right hander casting over their right shoulder?

You see, I can guess that casting with the left hand over the right shoulder will produce a similar effect to a right hand cast, but I don't yet understand what that effect is.

Once the laughter has subsided, anyone care to clarify?

I think I know what you mean. I taught myself to cast with both hands as there is a limitation to what can be done casting across the body. This is more noticeable in constricted space - caused by overhanging branches etc.

It may seem that there is only 3 feet or so extra reach but that can make the world of difference. It is much easier to have a range of angles for casting and also there is small restriction in casting distance taking the rod across your body even for very good casters.

Hi,

Dosent matter which bank you stand on.

What ever hand you cast with the fly will still end up in the water. The advantages of a left and right hander fishing together is that you can cast side by side without having to dodge out the way each cast.

Experience will give you more distance and fancy casting techniques such as casting into the wind, changing direction mid cast etc, just as much as a right hander will.

Not much difference at all with advantage or disadvantage apart from when fishing in close quarters with a right hander.

Thats my theory anyway having fished with left handers as i am a right hander.

There are very few advantages. The only time one hand will be better than the other depends which way the river/stream is flowing. Flow from left to right will make it easier for the right hand, and naturally the oposite will be better for the left hand, water going from right to left. I.e. if water flows left to right and a fish is holded up close to your bank, upstream of you, then this would suit the right handed person better as he /she can cast along the bank, the left hander will have a much narrower cast having to cast slightly over the bank and visa, versa. Does this make any sense?