Fly fishing setup is a basic requirement for fly fishing enthusiasts. However, the complex structure of the parts can cause some confusion for flies for beginners.
Setting lines up incorrectly can cause your fly fishing rod to be unable to retrieve the line.
What is the right method? Check out how to line a fly reel here!
How To Line A Fly Reel?
The spinning wheel of the fly fishing rod is different from the regular one. So, it needs many connections and disassembly to get a smooth, consistent fit when rotating. Below are detailed instructions:
Step 1: Set Up Spooling Rig
We will start with setting up the spooling rig to string a flywheel. There is no need for expensive support tools; a few hangers are enough.
You can also tie the string to a pencil, then thread it through the hole of the plastic tube to attach the string to the back.
Depending on the specific fly fishing situations, you can use anything if you can wind the wire tube freely. Some anglers also use rubber hoses they find around the lake.
Step 2: Connect The Rod And The Reel
In this step, we need to hook the wheel that you have prepared to the rod’s handle. Don’t hook it to the entire weight fly rod; connect the bottom part of it.
This is important because you’ll need somewhere to hold on as you backtrack and wheel in the halter.
It would help if you only used the handle because the longer the rod (about 9 feet), the more difficult it is to operate.
Step 3: Check The Direction Of Reeling
Depending on each person’s rod-holding habits, we will set the reel to suit the handedness.
For example, if you habitually hold the rod with your left hand when casting, set the roll so that the handle can be pointed to the left.
To put a backing on a fly reel, turn the traction to maximum and spin as normal (right-handed wheel = counterclockwise).
Normally, there will be no resistance when turned in the right direction. It only appears when you rotate backward. Otherwise, you will have to change the direction of rotation.
Each type has a different structure, so there are different instructions.
Step 4: Spool On The Fly Line
A rule of thumb when choosing a tool is that it must have a sticker or marking the first entry of the reel. Please don’t take this lightly because it’s very important!
Fly lines must be tapered and balanced to ensure the line’s weight always points forward. This makes it easier to string up the loops more tightly.
Remember which side will spin the film or keep the marking in the right position.
Next, stick the end directly to the spool and hook the entire fly line. Now, you need the spooling rig you made in Step 1.
Step 5: Roll The Backing On The Flight Line
The next step in setting up a fly reel is to roll each backing onto the reel. It would help if you did this to determine the amount of backing needed for a particular roll.
With a spooling rig, rotate the back of the plastic tube from the outside to the inside and stop when you see the backing about 0.25 inches away from the roll frame.
Step 6: Extract The Backup
Take the backing we measured in step 5 and roll it back into the plastic tube. It will take a while but shouldn’t take more than 7 minutes. Please be patient.
Then, loosen the tension completely and pull the backing off the roll while rolling it back to its original state.
Step 7: Unravel Your Fly Line
Anglers unwind it by tying it around plastic tubing and winding it into loops to unwind the fishing lines.
Once removed, place the coils back on the coil rig to rewind them. Don’t forget the order: backing, fly line, then the light leader.
Step 8: Rope The Backing On The Wheel
A simple knot is enough to secure it. You can use arbor knots, nail knots, clinch knots, albright knots, double surgeon knots or triple overhand surgeon knots, etc.
This is like creating a noose to tighten when pulling the backing out.
Bring the backing off through the underside of the roll and then loop it over the upper part near the wheel seat. Tie a knot around the wheel.
Step 9: Roll Into The Measured Padding
Roll the backing carefully to ensure string tension. The wire perfection loop must lie evenly on the roll axis from left to right. Don’t roll it too tightly; it could burn or cut your hands.
Step 10: Wire The Backing Into The Fly Line
Tie the end of the liner in a knot and leave a loop large enough to pass it through the entire reel spool of the fishing line.
Then, thread that line through the line and the plastic fly cord tube through the loop. Pull on the string and the backing slowly.
Step 11: Roll The Fly Line
Apply the spooling rig in step 1; spool the fishing string from the plastic tube it comes in onto your roll above the fishing streamer.
After spinning, you can spin continuously without worrying about resistance.
Step 12: Strap The Fly Line into The Tapered Leader
The tippet material and leader material are important. The light tippet and light leader with built-in tie rings help spool a fly reel more easily; If not, you must tie it yourself.
Thread the wire through the leader’s loop, make another loop in the leader, and pull it through the pre-soldered loop.
Drag the leader’s tag end through and connect the ends of the leader and the fly cord.
Step 13: Wheel In The Tapered Leader
The last step is to roll the rest of the line and fly fishing tapered leader. Make sure your backing and the arbor are close together. So you’re finished loading a fly fishing reel.
How Much Backing Does It Take To Set Up A Fly Reel?
You need enough backing for your fishing experience, especially saltwater fish, because they live in deep water and are very strong.
The answer depends on user preferences, the roll arbor’s size, fly fishing situations, Etc.
Remember that the reel wheels with the back and the fishing streamer require about a quarter of an inch of space between the reel frame and the fly line spool.
This space prevents the fishing cord from getting tangled in the frame when using the rod weight and creates enough free space if the angler accidentally wraps the line incorrectly, causing it to clump on one side.
Not having enough lining on the wheel makes it look uncomfortable and reduces its outer circumference. This causes the retrieval speed to slow down a lot.
It’s important to accurately measure the padding you need before setting sail. This step requires doing things in reverse.
First, spool the fishing streamer onto your roll and roll the backing over the tip of the fishing line until it is about 0.25 inches from the frame, then stop.
Then, remove all the wires and rewind them in this order: backing first, fly cord, and leader.
Conclusion
The steps above are not too difficult but require care to get the best results. Learning how to line a fly reel correctly helps you avoid having to unspool the reel frequently.
Just replace the leader or rod, and you can set up as before when needed.
