Mastering the Connection: A Comprehensive Guide to Tying Backing to Fly Line
Connecting your fly line to the backing is one of the most critical knots in fly fishing. This seemingly simple connection can be the difference between landing the fish of a lifetime and watching it disappear into the depths with your entire fly line. A poorly tied knot can fail under pressure, leading to heartbreak and lost equipment. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to securely attach backing to your fly line, ensuring a reliable and robust connection that will withstand the demands of even the most powerful fish.
Why Backing Is Essential
Before we dive into the knot-tying process, it’s crucial to understand why backing is so important. Backing serves several vital functions:
* **Extends Your Reach:** Fly lines are typically 90-100 feet long. When you hook a large, fast-running fish, it can quickly strip all of your fly line off the reel. Backing provides hundreds of extra yards of line, giving you a fighting chance to land the fish. Without backing, you’d be left watching your fly line disappear, never to be seen again.
* **Fills the Spool:** A partially filled spool can negatively impact your casting distance and retrieve rate. Backing helps fill the spool, ensuring the fly line is loaded correctly and comes off the reel smoothly. This optimized spool diameter results in longer, more efficient casts and faster retrieves.
* **Provides a Visual Indicator:** In some situations, especially when fishing for larger species, seeing your backing means you’ve hooked a significant fish. It’s a visual cue that the fish is running far and that you need to be prepared for a long fight.
* **Acts as a Shock Absorber:** The stretch in the backing line, particularly when using braided Dacron or Gel Spun, can help absorb some of the shock from sudden runs or headshakes from the fish. This can reduce the strain on your tippet and leader, minimizing the chance of breakage.
Choosing the Right Backing
There are several types of backing available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common types include:
* **Dacron:** Dacron is the traditional and most widely used backing material. It’s relatively inexpensive, durable, and has good knot strength. Dacron typically stretches more than other types of backing, providing some shock absorption. It is available in various breaking strengths, typically ranging from 20lb to 30lb for freshwater and up to 50lb or higher for saltwater applications.
* **Gel Spun:** Gel Spun backing is made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers. It is incredibly strong for its diameter, allowing you to pack more backing onto your reel. Gel Spun has very little stretch, which can be an advantage in some situations, providing more direct contact with the fish. However, this lack of stretch can also increase the risk of breaking your tippet or leader, so caution is advised. Because of its smaller diameter, gel spun is ideal when putting backing on reels that require high amounts of yardage but have limited space, such as when targeting bonefish or permit.
* **Micro Backing:** This type of backing is made of braided polyethylene fibers, and has a much smaller diameter, and higher strength. This allows fly fishers to get more backing on a smaller spool.
When choosing backing, consider the size of your reel, the species you’re targeting, and your personal preferences. For most freshwater applications, 20lb or 30lb Dacron is a good choice. For larger saltwater species, you may want to consider heavier Dacron or Gel Spun backing.
Essential Tools and Materials
Before you start tying your backing to the fly line, gather the necessary tools and materials:
* **Fly Reel:** The reel you will be using.
* **Backing:** The type of backing you’ve chosen (Dacron, Gel Spun, etc.).
* **Fly Line:** The fly line you’ll be connecting to the backing.
* **Scissors or Clippers:** For trimming excess line.
* **Bobbin Tool (Optional):** A bobbin tool can help you neatly wind the backing onto the reel.
* **Arbor Knot Tool (Optional):** If you have a reel that requires an arbor knot on the spool
The Albright Knot: A Reliable Connection
There are several knots you can use to connect backing to fly line, but the Albright Knot is widely regarded as one of the strongest and most reliable. It’s relatively easy to tie and creates a smooth, streamlined connection that passes easily through the guides.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to tying the Albright Knot:
**Step 1: Prepare the Fly Line and Backing**
* Lay the end of your fly line parallel to the end of your backing, overlapping them by about 6-8 inches. The fly line should be on top of the backing.
* Create a loop in the backing by folding it back on itself, forming a teardrop shape. Hold the loop between your thumb and forefinger.
**Step 2: Pass the Fly Line Through the Loop**
* Insert the tag end of the fly line through the loop in the backing, going in the direction *away* from the standing line of the backing (the part coming from the spool).
**Step 3: Wrap the Fly Line Around Both Lines**
* Begin wrapping the fly line tightly and neatly around both the fly line itself and the backing, working your way down the overlap. Make 8-10 wraps.
* Ensure each wrap is snug against the previous one to create a tight, secure knot.
**Step 4: Pass the Fly Line Back Through the Loop**
* After making the wraps, pass the tag end of the fly line back through the loop in the *same* direction it originally entered.
**Step 5: Lubricate the Knot**
* Before tightening, moisten the knot with saliva or water. This helps the knot cinch down smoothly and reduces friction, preventing the line from weakening.
**Step 6: Tighten the Knot**
* Hold the tag end of the backing and the standing line of the fly line firmly. Slowly and steadily pull both lines to tighten the knot. As you tighten, the wraps will compress and form a secure connection.
* Ensure the wraps are snug and even. If they appear uneven, gently massage the knot to redistribute the wraps.
**Step 7: Trim the Excess Line**
* Using scissors or clippers, carefully trim the tag ends of both the fly line and the backing, leaving about 1/8 inch of tag. Be careful not to cut the knot itself.
**Step 8: Test the Knot**
* Before you rely on the knot in a fishing situation, give it a good tug to test its strength. Hold the standing line of the fly line and the standing line of the backing, and pull firmly in opposite directions. The knot should hold without slipping or breaking.
Alternative Knots for Connecting Backing to Fly Line
While the Albright Knot is a popular and reliable choice, there are other knots you can use to connect backing to fly line. Here are a few alternatives:
* **Nail Knot:** The Nail Knot is another strong knot that creates a streamlined connection. It’s slightly more difficult to tie than the Albright Knot, but it can be a good option if you prefer a smaller, more compact knot. A nail or a specialized nail knot tying tool is typically used to create the initial loop for this knot.
* **Improved Clinch Knot:** While not as strong as the Albright Knot or Nail Knot, the Improved Clinch Knot can be used in a pinch. It’s a simple knot that most anglers are familiar with. However, it’s important to use a sufficient number of wraps (at least 7-8) to ensure a secure connection.
* **Surgeon’s Knot:** This knot is primarily used for joining lines of similar diameter, but can be used to tie backing to fly line. It is a simple, strong knot, however, like the improved clinch knot, it is not as reliable as the Albright knot and Nail knot.
Step-by-Step Instructions with Visual Aids (Illustrative Descriptions)
While written instructions are helpful, visual aids can make the knot-tying process even easier to understand. Here’s a breakdown of the Albright Knot steps with illustrative descriptions:
**Step 1: Prepare the Fly Line and Backing**
* *Imagine two snakes lying side-by-side, one slightly thicker than the other (the fly line and backing). Overlap them so their tails are touching.*
* *Now, take the tail of the thinner snake (backing) and fold it back to create a loop, like you’re making a lasso.*
**Step 2: Pass the Fly Line Through the Loop**
* *Take the tail of the thicker snake (fly line) and push it through the lasso, going in the direction away from the main part of the lasso.*
**Step 3: Wrap the Fly Line Around Both Lines**
* *Now, start wrapping the thicker snake (fly line) around both snakes, working your way down towards their tails. Make sure each wrap is tight and neat, like you’re wrapping a bandage.* (8-10 wraps)
**Step 4: Pass the Fly Line Back Through the Loop**
* *Once you’ve made the wraps, take the tail of the thicker snake (fly line) and push it back through the lasso, going in the same direction it originally entered.*
**Step 5: Lubricate the Knot**
* *Give the knot a little “kiss” – moisten it with saliva or water.* This helps everything slide together smoothly.
**Step 6: Tighten the Knot**
* *Hold the tail of the thinner snake (backing) and the main part of the thicker snake (fly line). Slowly pull them apart, like you’re trying to stretch them. Watch as the wraps tighten and form a secure connection.*
**Step 7: Trim the Excess Line**
* *Using your clippers, carefully trim the tails of both snakes, leaving just a tiny bit sticking out. Be careful not to snip the knot itself!* (1/8 inch)
**Step 8: Test the Knot**
* *Give the knot a good, strong tug to make sure it’s secure. If it holds, you’re good to go!* Remember to test by holding the main fly line and the backing line and pulling apart.
Tips for Success
* **Practice Makes Perfect:** The more you practice tying the Albright Knot, the easier and more efficient it will become. Practice at home before you head to the water.
* **Use High-Quality Line:** Using high-quality fly line and backing is essential for a strong and reliable connection. Cheap or old line can be weakened and more prone to breakage.
* **Lubricate the Knot:** Always lubricate the knot before tightening. This helps the knot cinch down smoothly and reduces friction, preventing the line from weakening.
* **Tighten Slowly and Steadily:** Avoid jerking or yanking the knot when tightening. This can damage the line and weaken the knot.
* **Inspect Your Knots Regularly:** Regularly inspect your knots for any signs of wear or damage. If you notice any issues, retie the knot immediately.
* **Consider the Line Diameter:** When choosing your knot, consider the relative diameter of the fly line and the backing. Some knots work better when the lines are of similar diameters.
* **Use a Knot Tying Tool:** For those who struggle with knot tying, especially in cold weather or with numb fingers, a knot tying tool can be a valuable asset.
* **Don’t Over-Tighten:** While it’s important to tighten the knot securely, avoid over-tightening. Over-tightening can damage the line and weaken the knot.
* **Check for Abrasions:** Before tying any knot, inspect the ends of your fly line and backing for any abrasions or damage. If you find any, cut off the damaged section before tying the knot.
* **Document your knot selection and test results** Keeping a fishing log is crucial to identifying which knots are effective, and which knots consistently fail.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
* **Knot Slipping:** If the knot slips after tightening, it could be due to insufficient wraps, improper tightening, or using the wrong knot for the line diameters. Retie the knot with more wraps, ensure you lubricate and tighten properly, or try a different knot.
* **Line Breaking at the Knot:** If the line breaks at the knot, it could be due to over-tightening, using damaged line, or tying the knot incorrectly. Retie the knot carefully, inspect your line for damage, and ensure you’re following the correct knot-tying steps.
* **Knot Bulky or Uneven:** If the knot is bulky or uneven, it could be due to uneven wraps or not tightening the knot properly. Try to make the wraps as neat and even as possible, and ensure you tighten the knot slowly and steadily.
Connecting Backing to the Reel Spool
Before you attach the backing to the fly line, you’ll need to spool the backing onto your reel. The most common method for attaching the backing to the reel spool is using an arbor knot.
* **Arbor Knot:** Pass the backing around the spool arbor. Tie a simple overhand knot in the backing. Then tie another overhand knot on the tag end, creating a loop around the standing line. Pull the standing line to tighten the loop against the arbor. Trim the tag end.
Some reels have a small post or pin on the arbor that allows you to simply tie an overhand knot around it. Consult your reel’s instructions for the recommended method.
Conclusion
Tying your backing to your fly line is a fundamental skill that every fly angler should master. By following the steps outlined in this guide, practicing regularly, and paying attention to detail, you can ensure a strong and reliable connection that will give you the confidence to tackle even the most challenging fish. Remember to choose the right backing for your needs, use high-quality line, and always inspect your knots for any signs of wear or damage. With a little practice, you’ll be tying perfect Albright Knots in no time, ready to land the fish of a lifetime. Good luck and tight lines!