How to Use Mono Line for Backing on a Fly Reel

Backing line on a fly reel serves two purposes. It increases the diameter of the spool, so it takes fewer rotations of the reel to draw in the fly line, and it provides extra length for when a fish takes out lots of line.

While modern braided lines are thinner than an equal weight monofilament, allowing more line to be put on the reel, some anglers prefer the old-fashioned mono because it is less likely to dig into itself when wound tightly. Braided line wound too tightly can tangle as it comes off the reel.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly line
  • Nail
  • Scissors or clippers
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Instructions

  1. Attaching Mono Line for Backing

    • 1

      Tie the end of the backing line to the reel, using your preferred knot. The arbor knot is a popular choice.

    • 2

      Apply light tension to the line and reel the backing line onto the fly reel. Align both the feed spool and take-up spool so the line does not twist while being transferred. This would be the case if the feed spool were lying on its side and the reel on the rod were perpendicular to it.

    • 3

      Wind the line evenly onto the reel so it creates a flat surface. Wind between 50 and 100 yards of backing, or until the reel is filled halfway, and cut the line. Do not fill the reel beyond halfway: There must be room left for the fly line and leader line.

    • 4

      Tie the end of the fly line to the backing line using the nail to help you produce a nail knot. Use the reel end of the fly line for this knot: A label attached to the fly line will identify this end.

    • 5

      Load all of the fly line onto the reel. Again, make sure the line comes straight off its spool and not off the side. When all the fly line is wound onto the reel, check that the reel spins easily. The line should not be touching the outer bars of the reel. If there is too much line, remove the fly line from the reel, remove some of the backing line, and start again from Step 4.

    • 6

      Tie a leader to the end of your fly line with a nail knot.