backing?

[onebadfish]

what do you guys use for backing on your steelhead/salmon reels? i have some fairly good 80lb tough line on a casting reel, or is that a goofball idea? i plan on using a Cabelas St Johns 8 wt graphite with martin reel and double taper floating 8wt Orvis line. any opioion on that rod would be helpful also. don't be too harsh, this is my first year steelheading with a fly.

[greenbuttskunk]

that would work if you want to save some money. Make sure your knot to the flyline is good and secure.

[Gizmo Man]

If you use any of the thin braided lines, just be careful to never grab it or wrap it around you fingers in the event you have a fish on. It will cut you like a razor.

I use it on some of my small reels to get the extra yardage the thinner diameter allows you.

Giz...

[KillerDave]

I've been using 30lb Hot Green Berkley Big Game Mono. It's not as chique as braided line, but I haven't lost any fish that have burned into the backing.

Sounds dumb, works great, very cheap and it looks good on the fly reel.
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL81/623942/3012911/47280964.jpg

[AndyK]

As long as you can get at least 100 yds on your reel and it is not too thick a line, it should be fine.

I use 65 lb Tuff Line as backing on a couple reels and have had no problem.

Always use an Allbright knot to attach your backing to the fly line. I even wrap my knots with tying thread to make sure the knot will pass through the guides without hanging up.

[mandinga]

braided...

[SilverFly]

What's goofball about getting 2 to 3 times the backing in the same reel space? I use 50# Tuff line and haven't had any problems. Use a Uni-knot (a.k.a "quick knot") to attach to the flyline, it works fine. Giz brings up a good point about slicing up fingers if your not careful though.

I like having the extra yards because my capacity to run over wet slimey rocks isn't what it used to be!

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[onebadfish]

thanks for the great replies. now what about that rod i chose? will it make the grade (cabelas st. johns 9' 8wt)? anyone know anything about or use this rod?

[Mark Vickers]

I still use dacron. When I asked this question when I first started fly fishing, I was told not to use the braided lines as they would cut the fly line if the pull was strong enough. Since I primarily fish for steelhead and salmon, that was a good enough point for me never to try it. Considering the positive responses, I might have to give it a whirl.

[SilverFly]

To answer your question about the rod, I don't own any Cabela's fly rods but I am real happy with my Cabela's fish eagle II salmon drift rod. I think their rods are generally good quality for the $$$. As for the reel if it has a palming spool it should work fine.

BTW, I don't think you need to worry about real harshness on this board (some friendly abuse maybe)!

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[mandinga]

Mark, I used to use dacron for a shooting head backing, but when it gets cold that stuff is really hard to work with...


I usually don't have to worry about backing though, I am rarely into a fish for that much line! I usually get cold feet and break a fish off when it is going in to the backing...My knots are less than trustworthy! :cheers: :shrug: