Backing
Backing is thin, strong line spooled onto a fly reel under the fly line. It adds extra length for long runs and helps the fly line fit the reel correctly.
- Group
- Fly lines
- Category
- Gear & tackle
- Level
- Beginner
- Water
- Fresh & salt
Last updated
What Backing means
Start at the reel spool. Backing goes on first, then the fly line, then the leader and tippet. Most backing is braided Dacron, and some anglers use gel-spun or similar high-strength fibers for more capacity.
Backing has two jobs. It fills up the spool so the fly line sits at a good diameter for pickup and retrieve, and it gives you extra line when a fish takes you past the fly line. Backing connects to the reel with an arbor knot, and to the fly line with a loop-to-loop connection or a nail knot, depending on the line and the setup.
Why it matters on the water
If a reel is underfilled, it retrieves slowly and the line coils tighter. If it is overfilled, the line can spill off and tangle. Backing is how you hit the right fill level without buying extra fly line.
Knowing what backing does helps match a reel to the fishing. Trout rarely show backing, but long-running fish like bonefish, tarpon, and some salmon and steelhead can. In those cases, backing capacity and a clean connection to the fly line stop small problems from turning into a lost fish.
Read next
- Arbor knotA simple knot used to attach backing to the reel spool arbor. It tightens under tension so the backing grips the spool instead of slipping.
- Fly lineThe fly line is the thick, weighted line that loads the fly rod and carries the cast. It connects the reel and backing to the leader.
- Fly reelThe fly reel holds your fly line and backing, and it gives you a drag system to control a running fish.
- Nail knotA nail knot is a compact line-to-line knot used to attach fly line to backing, or to tie a butt section or leader directly to fly line.