Feb 25 2010
Can I Use Regular Braided Fishing Line For My Flyfishing Rods Backing?
I just bought my first flyfishing rod and reel, now I’m trying to get it set it up. Can I simply use braided or superbraided regular fishing line for my backing or do I have to use a backing-specific type of line?
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dacron of 20 or 30lb test is commonly sold for fly line backing.
it is usually priced considerably less than super braids and comes with enough on the spool so your fly line finishes filling the reel spool to the optimum level.
well just starting out you can use the regular line. You’re probably just wanting to practice casting and what not and of course you’ll be fine using the normal fishing line. Before you go out to target fish you really need to get the regular backing. I’ve used regular fishing line as a “back up” plan but it makes it a lot more difficult than what it needs to be. It’s a little heavy, it tends to mess the action up, and will cause a fly to sink a little too fast.
Yes, you can use ordinary braided fishing line as backing. Just make sure its line strength is about the same as your flyline. Real backing is “better” than ordinary fishing line because it’s built for strength and compactness, not looks — it’s not meant to be “fished” in the water, it’s just there to absorb very long fights. That’s why it’s not transparent and in fact kind of ugly. It’s not much to look at, but it’s only there to “back up” the fly line and take up as little room as possible on the reel. Twenty-pound mono will take up more room — you’ll get less backing for the space, but then again, most people go into their backing only very occasionally, so, it’ll be fine for now. Backing is pretty cheap — just get some when you can.
Oh, one more thing — make sure your knots are secure and tidy. Arbor knot to tie the backing to the reel:http://www.animatedknots.com/arbor/index…
Then, I’d probably use a nail knot to tie the mono to the fly line: http://www.animatedknots.com/nailknot/in…
Yes you can. I use 20lb Power Pro braid for my backing. It has a line diameter of 6 lb test. If a big red thinks he is going to spool me, he has another thing coming.
I do so yes.