Spooling a fly reel correctly is a fundamental skill for any fly fisher. It ensures you have enough backing for those unexpected long runs from fish and provides a smooth line lay for better casting performance. Let’s break down the process into easy-to-follow steps to get your fly reel ready for the water.
Step 1: Spooling the Backing onto Your Fly Reel
The first thing you’ll need to do is attach the backing to your fly reel. Backing is essential; it’s the line underneath your heavier fly line that provides extra capacity on your reel for when a fish runs. Start by locating the arbor of your fly reel spool. This is the central part of the spool where the line will be initially attached.
Tie an arbor knot around the arbor. The arbor knot is a simple and effective knot for this purpose. Once you’ve secured the arbor knot, begin winding the backing onto the reel. Make sure you wind it on evenly and with moderate tension. You don’t want it too loose, which can lead to line bedding, but not too tight that it damages the backing or reel. Fill the spool until it is approximately two-thirds to three-quarters full. Leaving space is crucial because you still need to add the fly line, and overfilling can cause tangles and casting issues.
When you’re satisfied with the amount of backing, you can cut the backing line using scissors. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and use a bit more backing initially. You can always trim it back later if needed.
Step 2: Attaching the Fly Line to the Backing
Now that your backing is spooled onto the reel, the next step is to connect your fly line. Before you begin this step, it’s important to identify the correct end of your fly line for attaching to the backing. Many fly lines come with a small tag indicating which end is designed for connection to the backing. If your line doesn’t have a tag, look for the end that is thin, long, and consistently uniform in diameter. The opposite end will usually have a thicker, tapered section, especially on weight-forward lines.
Modern fly lines often come with a welded loop at both ends. If your fly line has a welded loop, connecting it to the backing is straightforward. Simply create a loop-to-loop connection, or tie a clinch knot using the backing through the welded loop of the fly line. After tying the clinch knot, trim the excess tag end for a clean finish.
If your fly line does not have a welded loop, you’ll need to use a knot to connect it to the backing. Two popular and reliable knots for this purpose are the Albright knot and the nail knot. The Albright knot is often favored for being easier to tie, especially for beginners, while the nail knot is another strong option.
After you’ve tied your chosen knot, it’s crucial to trim the tag end of the knot as close as possible to the knot itself. Leaving a long tag end can cause problems. For example, if a fish takes you deep into your backing during a fight, a protruding tag end can catch on your rod guides, potentially leading to a break-off.
Once trimmed, your connection should be neat and streamlined, allowing for smooth passage through your rod guides. If your fly line has a welded loop, the connection should look similarly clean and secure.
By following these steps, you’ll have your fly reel properly spooled and ready for your next fly fishing adventure.
