South paw skills?

[Luke McLeod]

Ok, here's the deal: I am right dominant abidexterous- which is nice when tying and casting however... I had never tried to tie left handed until I put on a fly tying demo for kids this last weekend. I have a question for the south paws out there. Do you wind up and over like righties or down and under? The reason I ask is because we had much difficulty in getting the thread started and the materials to hold for the left handed students. Is there a trick I don't know? Boy was whip-finishing lefty fun!!! Luke

[jszymczyk]

There is no "Left" or "Right" way to wrap thread. As long as you do it the same all the time, it does not matter. I'm right-handed but for some reason a the time I first started learning to wrap thread on a hook when I was 9 or 10, I did it the opposite direction than what apparently I was supposed to. Being self taught, it was many years before someone smart saw me doing it and told me it was WRONG. I guess all the fish I had caught up to that point were wrong too. I haven't ever changed because it was simply muscle memory at that point. On the rare occasions when I tie with other people, someone invariably imparts their wisdom upon us, saying I am doing it backwards. Sure. Ok. Move along.

[Jayatwork]

Take a look at some of Charlie Craven's videos. No different than tying right handed. Sometimes he starts the thread a little differently, but it has nothing to do with tying left handed.

[chewydog]

Take a look at some of Charlie Craven's videos. No different than tying right handed. Sometimes he starts the thread a little differently, but it has nothing to do with tying left handed.

Charlie Craven is a rightie. He just learned to tie holding the material with his dominant hand.