Reels should hold a minimum of 50 yards of backing. Most angling conditions do not require use of the backing but it may be that 'fish of a lifetime' that requires it. Better safe than sorry. Reel size and line weight will often dictate the test poundage and length of backing. See how to choose a backing.
Map, fishing maps, charts, info and gear for fly fishing , anglers, and outdoors sportsmen.

Fly Line Backing

See: [Trout Fly Fishing] [Saltwater Fly Fishing]
[Balanced Fly Fishing Gear] [Fly Tying] [Fly Casting]

Fly lines typically run only 90 feet or so. A trophy fish can run 90 feet in short order. Most fish caught will not, but that 'fish of a lifetime' may spool to the backing in a matter of seconds. If you don't want to give up that trophy fish it is better to be safe than sorry by loading as much backing as practical without adding too much. Too much backing causes several problems including line rubs, pinches, and tangles. Backing is also useful as it keeps your reel spool full making line retrieval faster and minimizing line coil and tangle. Reels should hold a minimum of 50 yards of backing for small fish and water and much more for larger fish and water.

Reel type and size with line taper and weight will together dictate the ideal test poundage and length of backing. You can find the suggested recommendation for your reel by reading your reel's instructions. For instance, one of my favorite reels has a recommendation of [See: Art1]:

Some fly lines are longer or larger in diameter than other lines. This increased fly line bulk eats into the reel's backing capacity. For instance, Double Taper (DT) lines often allow for less backing than Weight Forward (WF) lines due to the longer and relatively thicker belly of the DT line.
[See: Art1].
  • 075 yards of 12# for their Wt's 1, 2, and 3
  • 100 yards of 20# for their Wt's 3, 4, and 5
  • 100 yards of 20# for their Wt's 5 and 6
  • 150 yards of 20# for their Wt's 7 and 8
  • 200 yards of 20# for their Wt 9
  • 250 yards of 30# for their Wt's 10 and 11

Some types of ocean fly fishing will require 500 yards and more.

The knot attaching backing to reel is important and thankfully fairly straightforward [See: Art1, Art2, Art3]. The knot attaching backing to the fly line is also fairly straightforward [See: Art1, Art2].

 
RIO Fly Backing
Fly Line Backing
RIO's traditional Dacron braided backing features high strength and low stretch and is unsurpassed in quality. A good compromise between thinness and the ability to make blind splice loops as suggested in our fly line set-up guide. It's easier to knot than brands that are very thin but have too tight a weave for a blind splice loop. 100 yd (91.4 m) spools. Chartreuse
$7.95
Checkout safely at NCFishAndGame with Paypal[Fly Shop] Most orders over $50 shipped free!!!


More valuable links to help you select fly line backing

Fly Casting LinkGlobal Fly Fisher - article is for the ones who never set up a complete reel, backing, line and leader.
Choose a fly rod line sizeRio Products - RIO Fly Lines. Fly Fishing's Creative Specialist in Fly Lines, Leaders and Tippet Materials.
Choose a fly rod line sizeKillroys Knots - knot attaching Backing to Fly Reel

------ NCFishandGame.com info and links ------

[Suggestion Form] [Link to your site] [ ] [ ] [ ]
NCFishandGame.com has been a mostly volunteer site with substantial profits going to charity in North American.
Copyright © 2011/15 NCFishandGame.com, see legal. Rights reserved. with suggestions or questions.South River Interactive