rigging a reel to a fly pole

Question
Gary....I'm a beginner fly fisherman. I am naturally right handed. I cast with my right hand and hold the line in my left. Is it mandatory that the reel be attached to the pole with the cranking handle on the left side and operated with the left hand OR can I have the handle on the RIGHT side and switch the pole to my left hand when retrieving line?
Dick Whitaker, Charleston SC


Answer
Dick,
You can have the reel set up for whatever is most comfortable for you. Switching the pole to a different hand is not un-common.
If you give up anything at all, it would be the ability to react immediately to the strike that may occur right as the fly enters the water.

Hope that helps...


Gary