[tenetxnosce]

Just bought my first fly rod yesterday and really looking forward to getting my line wet. Before I do that just a quick question......

Is backing absolutely needed on the reel??

any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

[fshfanatic]

In a word, yes. For a couple reasons.

1: If you hook into something big you will be glad you have it.
2: It is easier on the actual flyline as without backing the line will coil in much smaller loops.
3: It is dirt cheap.
4: If the reel is spooled to capacity, each turn of the handle will bring in more line.

[tlcgpw]

yes

[BigCliff]

Yes and Fanatic is dead-on with the reasons why.

In case you were wondering, no, you really should not use regular monofilament as backing. It has a nasty tendency to dig down into itself and cause lots of problems by doing so.

[gregorykicks]

yeah no monofilament, nylon is great!. Keeps your line in better shape, and I often will even cast past my line and into the backing... I wouldn't fish without it

[troutbum]

Originally Posted by gregorykicks

yeah no monofilament, nylon is great!. Keeps your line in better shape, and I often will even cast past my line and into the backing... I wouldn't fish without it

Just a question ,but I wanna get this straight,You OFTEN cast past your line and then start casting into your backing?am I the only one that's gonna touch this one?

[BigCliff]

Just to clarify, monofilament is in fact nylon. Many "monofilaments" nowadays are actually a copolymer that have multiple materials in them, but true monofilament is nylon. The most common material used for flyline backing is dacron, a form of polyester that doesn't stretch much at all and lays flat when wound onto a reel.

I'm not trying to be a turd, just don't want our "new flyer" to stand there looking at a box that says "nylon monofilament" and be confused by what we have told him.

[fshfanatic]

Originally Posted by troutbum

Just a question ,but I wanna get this straight,You OFTEN cast past your line and then start casting into your backing?am I the only one that's gonna touch this one?

Are you saying you can't cast all your line and some of the backing as well? I can cast all of mine (on a good day) and it is 100'.

Some of the lower end lines are much shorter as well..

[troutbum]

I was just wondering where a fellow would have to cast into the backing "OFTEN" I'm glad I dont have to cast into my backing on a regular basis!
tight lines
Aaron

[easternflyfisher]

gel spun is the best!