Fishing Q&A

how to put line on a fly fishing reel?

Public Comments

1. Most shops that specialize in fishing equipment will wrap the line for you. They have a machine that does it in about a minute. If you shop there, they usually do it for no charge. Otherwise, tie it on using the same type of knot you use to tie flies. I put the roll of line on a pencil or dowel, put it in my bench vise and then start reeling it on. You may have to hold the knot down until the line has wrapped over it to hold it in place.
2. well scratch my scales! sally don't even know! But if you wants to go fishin let's go.
3. remove the spool from the reel, use an arbor knot to attach backing to spool, put spool back into reel, this is where its helpful to have a friend hold the spool of backing on a pencil or hold it between your knees, reel in the desired amount so it fills spool evenly(I usually just use the whole thing unless the reel doesn't have much room then 1/2 - 3/4), use an albright knot to attach backing to fly line, either use pen/pencil to hold spool and reel in or I prefer to lay the entire fly line out on the yard and stretch it a little to make sure it doesn't have any coils in it and then reel it in. that's pretty much it, just make sure your holding the reel the same way it will fit on the rod so it doesn't run backwards. here's a good site for the knots http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/knots/ good luck.
4. Very easily(if you take your time) Firstly you need Fly line Backing 20lb test braided polyester will work fine, (gel spun is better i have used it a few times and you can tell the difference as it has a lower diameter) Super glue/epoxy resin (optional, i like this because it adds a little more security to the backing) Here's how i do it and its never let me down; Attach your fly reel to the rod Thread the backing down the first stripping guide Attach it to your fly reel using this knot http://www.animatedknots.com/arbor/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com (you may want to add a little super glue to the knot for added security as the knots can slip in polyester/dacron backing) Now take your fly line. Keep the tags on thats holding it in a coil, hold it on the rim of the spool and see how much space it leaves.(without backing) Now take the fly line away and wind on enough backing to fill this gap. Now carefully take the tags off the fly line, lay it on the floor (away from kids or pets who can make a mess of it) Take the tag that says reel end, and thread it through the first stripping guide of the rod Attach to your backing like this http://www.mnflyfishing.com/MinnesotaFlyFishing/Knots/tabid/262/Default.aspx (second knot) Pull tight and trim the ends and add some super glue to the knot, then carefully wind on the fly line.