How to teach your non-dominant hand to cast

The Casting Connection

February 2026

By Capt. Scott Swartz

Scott Swartz founded the Atlanta Fly Fishing School, which began in 1999. It is the largest such operation in the Southeast and the only Trout Unlimited “Gold Endorsed” school in the United States. His Florida Fly Fishing Schools started in 2008, helping anglers learn to successfully fly fish in saltwater.

Every fly fisherman has been there. The wind is blowing the fly toward you on every cast. We call it “chuck and duck” trying to avoid getting whacked. It is especially true with weighted flies and dumbbell eyes that can hurt worse than a hook. Maybe you have experienced pulling a fly out of your back side while hoping it was barbless. Have you had trees in the way of a perfect presentation or spent time on a boat dropping back casts? All these situations are the result of only being able to cast from one side of your body.

Wait! It is much easier than you think!

Casting from your non-dominant “off-hand” side is not as hard as most imagine. Students are amazed how quickly they can make a respectable off-hand cast.

Instead of throwing an awkward backhand cast, you can easily learn to cast with either hand. Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.

Here are the simple steps to learn to cast with your “other” hand.

First, cast a length of line that is easy to continuously keep in the air. Keep the remaining line on the reel. You will not be shooting line or laying line down like when presenting a fly. You will be continuously false casting a reasonable length of line.

Begin casting and place your non-dominant hand over your casting hand and allow it go for a ride learning the motion and timing.

Next place the rod in your “other” (non-dominant) hand. Place your dominant hand over it, powering the cast, again letting your non-dominant hand just go for a ride. It is important to take your time with these first steps. Your non-dominate hand is learning the motion and timing of the cast.

Slowly use more and more strength of the non-dominant hand. Your hand is now learning the work of powering the cast.

Last, when you are casting with the strength of the non-dominant hand, simply slide the dominant hand off until it is just “kissing”, knuckles to knuckles. Now it is only helping keep pace. Separate the hands when you are ready.

Hurray! You are casting with the other hand, and it only took a few minutes! First casts will be a little shorter and sloppier, but practice will smooth them out.

Being confident to make even occasional short casts off-hand will improve your opportunities and is much easier than you think. Give the “other” hand a try.

Send your questions or comments to: info@atlantaflyfishingschool.com