Connecting your fly line to the backing is a fundamental step in setting up your fly fishing reel. A secure and reliable connection is crucial to ensure you don’t lose your catch when a fish runs deep into your backing. Many modern fly lines come with a welded loop at the front end, designed for easy leader attachment. But what about the other end, where it needs to be connected to the backing on your reel? This guide will walk you through the best methods on how to tie backing to fly line with a welded loop, ensuring a strong and streamlined connection.
Understanding the Welded Loop Connection
Welded loops are pre-made loops at the tip of your fly line, offering a convenient and often strong way to attach leaders. When it comes to backing, you have a couple of primary options to connect it to the fly line’s welded loop:
- Loop-to-Loop Connection: This method involves creating a loop in your backing and then interlocking it with the welded loop of your fly line. This is a popular choice for its simplicity and the ease of changing lines or backing later.
- Direct Knot Connection: Alternatively, you can directly tie the backing to the fly line, essentially knotting the backing around the base of the welded loop or even through the loop itself.
Let’s delve into the loop-to-loop method, which is widely favored for its practicality and ease of use when dealing with welded loops.
The Loop-to-Loop Method Using a Surgeon’s Loop
Creating a loop in your backing is easily achieved with a Surgeon’s Loop. This knot is simple to tie and provides excellent strength for this connection. Here’s how to tie a Surgeon’s Loop in your backing:
- Double the Backing: Take the end of your backing and double it over to form a loop.
- Form a Simple Overhand Loop: Hold the doubled backing and create a simple overhand loop, just like you’re starting to tie your shoelace.
- Pass the Loop Through (Twice for a Stronger Loop): This is where the “surgeon” part comes in. Instead of passing the doubled backing through the loop just once (like in a standard overhand loop), pass it through twice. For heavier backing like 30lb, you might consider even three times for extra security, though twice is generally sufficient for most fly fishing scenarios with 20lb or 30lb Dacron backing.
- Moisten and Tighten: Moisten the knot with saliva to reduce friction, then slowly and firmly tighten the knot. Ensure the loops snug down neatly and evenly.
- Trim the Tag End: Trim the tag end of the backing close to the knot.
Once you have a Surgeon’s Loop in your backing, connecting it to the welded loop on your fly line is straightforward:
- Pass the Backing Loop Through the Welded Loop: Take the loop you’ve created in your backing and pass it through the welded loop of your fly line.
- Pass the Fly Line Spool Through the Backing Loop: Now, pass the entire spool of your fly line (or at least the end of the fly line if it’s already on your reel) through the loop you’ve made in your backing.
- Pull to Tighten: Gently pull on the backing tag end and the fly line to tighten the loop-to-loop connection. The backing loop should now be snug around the welded loop of your fly line.
This loop-to-loop connection offers a strong and reliable link between your backing and fly line, and it’s easily reversible if you need to change lines or backing in the future.
Direct Knot Connection (Alternative Method)
While loop-to-loop is convenient, you can also directly tie your backing to the welded loop. A popular knot for this is the Nail Knot or the Albright Knot. However, due to the welded loop already being present, a simplified clinch knot or improved clinch knot tied directly to the base of the welded loop can also work.
Important Considerations:
- Knot Strength: Always test your knots before heading out to fish. A gentle but firm pull will help ensure the knot is seated correctly and strong.
- Backing Strength: Choose backing strength appropriate for the type of fishing you’ll be doing. 20lb Dacron is a common all-around choice, while heavier backing might be used for larger game fish.
- Knot Lubrication: Always moisten knots before tightening to help them seat properly and prevent friction from weakening the line.
Conclusion
Knowing how to tie backing to fly line with a welded loop using a Surgeon’s Loop and loop-to-loop connection is a valuable skill for any fly fisher. It’s a simple, strong, and efficient way to connect these critical components of your fly fishing setup. Whether you prefer the convenience of loop-to-loop or opt for a direct knot, ensuring a secure connection will give you confidence on the water, knowing you’re prepared for that big fish taking you into your backing.
(No images were present in the original article to include.)
(Hypothetical image placements and alt text examples if images were available):
(After “1. Double the Backing:” paragraph)
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Alt text: Image showing the first step of tying a Surgeon’s Loop: doubling the fly line backing to create a loop.
(After “5. Trim the Tag End:” paragraph)
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Alt text: A close-up of a neatly tied Surgeon’s Loop knot in fly line backing, ready for loop-to-loop connection to a fly line.
(After “3. Pull to Tighten:” paragraph)
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Alt text: Illustration of a completed loop-to-loop connection, showing the backing loop interlocked with the fly line’s welded loop.
