10-25-2008, 07:57 PM
I dunno, Dryrod. Sounds to me like you 'splaned it pretty good.
BSF, to help clarify, it's called "backing" because it backs up the flyline, serving two functions: 1. to provide enough line in case you need it when playing a big fish, and 2. to cushion the flyline.
Backing is usually something like thin dacron, about 20# test. And, despite Dryrod's optimism, the only time 99% of fishermen see their backing is when they spool it onto the line.
As he said, flyfishing is different in that it uses a heavy line to carry a light (literally featherlight) lure to the fish. All other tackle does the opposite, using a heavy weight to pull the line behind it.
Flylines are thick both because they are the weight, and because the angler handles them a lot as he plays a fish. Should the need arise in which a fish takes out all of the flyline (there is only 90-120 feet of it, after all) you'd be SOL without the backing.
The sequence, incidentally, is: backing attaches to the reel arbor. Backing attaches to the back end of the flyline; flyline attaches to a leader; leader attaches to a fly. And, eventually, fly attaches to a fish. Hooray.
I cannot stress enough how much I agree with Dryrod on the idea of getting the best flyline you can. The flyline is the be-all and end-all of this kind of fishing. You can easily do without a reel (historically there were none). You can make do with a half-vast rod. But a cheap line will only frustrate you, and maybe cost you some fish.
Keep in mind that even a well used flyline, if cared for, can last the average angler about two days longer than forever.
Let's say you use it only five years, and pay 45 bucks for it. That's $9 a year. Compare that to, say, a serious bass fishermen, who changes his line frequently. That guy probaly spends four or five times that on line. Making your flyline a bargain, as these things go.
Brook
[url "http://www.the-outdoor-sports-advisor.com"]http://www.the-outdoor-sports-advisor.com[/url]
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BSF, to help clarify, it's called "backing" because it backs up the flyline, serving two functions: 1. to provide enough line in case you need it when playing a big fish, and 2. to cushion the flyline.
Backing is usually something like thin dacron, about 20# test. And, despite Dryrod's optimism, the only time 99% of fishermen see their backing is when they spool it onto the line.
As he said, flyfishing is different in that it uses a heavy line to carry a light (literally featherlight) lure to the fish. All other tackle does the opposite, using a heavy weight to pull the line behind it.
Flylines are thick both because they are the weight, and because the angler handles them a lot as he plays a fish. Should the need arise in which a fish takes out all of the flyline (there is only 90-120 feet of it, after all) you'd be SOL without the backing.
The sequence, incidentally, is: backing attaches to the reel arbor. Backing attaches to the back end of the flyline; flyline attaches to a leader; leader attaches to a fly. And, eventually, fly attaches to a fish. Hooray.
I cannot stress enough how much I agree with Dryrod on the idea of getting the best flyline you can. The flyline is the be-all and end-all of this kind of fishing. You can easily do without a reel (historically there were none). You can make do with a half-vast rod. But a cheap line will only frustrate you, and maybe cost you some fish.
Keep in mind that even a well used flyline, if cared for, can last the average angler about two days longer than forever.
Let's say you use it only five years, and pay 45 bucks for it. That's $9 a year. Compare that to, say, a serious bass fishermen, who changes his line frequently. That guy probaly spends four or five times that on line. Making your flyline a bargain, as these things go.
Brook
[url "http://www.the-outdoor-sports-advisor.com"]http://www.the-outdoor-sports-advisor.com[/url]
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