Backingfly fishing glossary
Thin braided line attached to the reel beneath the fly line, providing extra length for fighting large fish.
Backing is typically 20-30 lb braided Dacron that fills the reel spool before the fly line is attached. It serves two purposes: providing extra line length when a fish makes long runs, and building up the spool diameter so the fly line sits higher (improving retrieve speed).
How Much Do You Need?
Trout: 50–100 yards of 20 lb
Steelhead/Salmon: 150–200 yards of 20–30 lb
Saltwater: 200–300 yards of 30 lb