[flyfish4]

I am rigging up a new reel (Ross Evolution 8wt) which I plan to use mainly for steelhead in rivers and salmon (all species except for kings) in salt water and rivers. I have two main questions that I would like some advice on. What should be the minimum length of the backing? I've seen a minimum of 200 yds recommended but not sure if this is really necessary as I've never seen anyone come close to using this much backing. What makes sense for backing length?

My second question is what type of backing should I go with? I've read that braided backing (gel spun and others) is much stronger for the same diameter than dacron so I could get a lot more capacity on my reel. However, braided backing is supposed to cut you (and the reel guides?) easier and they don't tend to hold knots as well. Given the pros and cons, what type of backing is best of I plan to use the reel in salt and fresh water, and I don't want to have to change the backing for a few years? If you recommend braided backing, what minimum test # would you suggest?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[BDD]

Welcome. Not a bad question for a first post.

You won't need 200 yards of backing for steelhead or salmon fishing. But you don't want to have a reel that is half empty either. You should fill it up at least 3/4 full. For an 8 weight with a reel with lots of capacity, I'd go with 30 lb backing. It will fill up the reel faster (so you won't have to pay as much) and it may help if you ever hook a really big fish. 150 yards will be plenty and depending on your line, should fill the spool up nicely.

Regular dacron has worked well for me over the years. Gel spun is more expensive and you don't need it in your situation since it is used to provide more backing for big game, saltwater use. Not the stuff around here but in the tropics. No need to spend money on something you don't need.

A good fly shop will hook will be able to provide the service you need and answer questions like this too. Plus, they will be able to help you with the proper knots to use.

 

[Salmo_g]

Flyfish4,

If your reel will hold 100 yards of 20# dacron backing plus your fly line, you're set. If you regularly fish the Thompson or Dean Rivers in BC, then you should consider a reel with 200 yards backing capacity. I have some reels that are carrying 20# dacron for 20-30 years, and it still holds knots fine. I'm sure that gelspun serves the same purpose, but why bother with the slice your fingers and wear through the guides issues unnecessarily?

Sg

 

[flyfish4]

Thanks BDD and Salmo for the excellent advice. Should I be worried that Dacron may not hold up well in saltwater (I often fish the beaches and estuaries)? For example, I came across the Cortland Micron Saltwater Fly Line Backing, which apparently has a special coating to protect against the salt. Or is regular old Dacron adequate?

 

[Casey Hodges]

I recently picked up an Evolution #3.5 to go with an 890-4 Xi2. Love that setup. I went to a local shop and posed a similar question. "What's an awesome line for river steelhead and PS area salt fishing?" I walked out with a Rio Outbound with 200 yards of #20 dacron backing. Evo 3.5's can hold a ton of backing, and you could always subtract later.

 

[Guest]

Tell me if this works.

I have an older STH Airweight 8 that when I fill it with dacron the smaller pawl takes 250+ yards to fill. The dacron bites into itself if reefed on. If I don't fill it I have tight coils and lack of retrieve rate. So I put 100 yards of 30lb dacron and about 30 yards off the back end of an old 4 wt floating line. The fly line doesn't seem to tangle but fills the spool nicely. What about running line from a shooting head(seems stiffer?).

Are those un-common practices? What are the downsides?

 

[DiejehHehdudhhe8373737]

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[Guest]

The spool is "U" shaped and too many layers of spongy dacron became an issue. It digs under along the edges no matter how tight we start.

Is the my 30 yds of running line as filler gonna be an issue?

 

[DiejehHehdudhhe8373737]

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