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February 22nd, 1998
Mastereye
A few weeks ago I wrote about a
development which happened when I started to get a bit
serious about learning how to cast with my left hand.
Simply stated it is this. When I cast with my left hand
the fly would land somewhere to the right of my intended
target. I wondered if anyone would figure out the real
reason it was happening.
If you teach shooting, archery, or casting
you are aware of the term 'master-eye.' That is the dominant
eye, the one that actually looks directly at a point. Here is a
test we often use when teaching. First we offer the fly rods
and just watch to see which hand they use to hold it. A
good clue as to right or left handed. If there seems to be
a question we do the following:
You can try this yourself at home too.
Point to some object with your index finger. You will notice
I did not say which hand to use. If the person points with
the left hand you can be rather sure they are left handed and
probably master left eyed as well. OK, so you are pointing at
something with your RIGHT hand. Now, take your LEFT
hand and cover your LEFT eye. Are you still pointing exactly
at the object? IF so, you are master RIGHT eyed.
If the object jumped severely to the side
you are master LEFT eyed. It is at least once a season we find
someone who has gone thru many years of life and never knew
which eye was the dominant one. So. If when I cast right handed
the fly goes where my RIGHT eye is looking. My right hand and
right eye have been working together for many years. But, when
I switch to left handed casting the fly will go to the right unless I
close my RIGHT eye! Then it goes right where I want it.
On the same point, when I want to be very
accurate I cast with the rod in front of my face, one finger on the
top of the rod, and in line with my RIGHT eye. Works for me,
probably will for you too.~ JC
Till next week, remember ...
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