How To Set Up A Fly Fishing Reel

Setting upwards a fly reel is pretty simple, only if it'southward your get-go time setting one up, or information technology's been a while, you may demand a walk-through or refresher. Once it's set, it'll exist good to go through many fishing outings.

I'll start by proverb this is my method of rigging a reel, and although I feel it'south a decent representation of your average setup, there are tons of ways out there to do it. This method is for your typical one-handed rod, and for standard fly casting to trout, bass, panfish, and the like (equally opposed to a rod set for Euro nymphing or other specialized styles).

What y'all'll demand

A wing reel
100-150 yards of backing
A fly line
A tapered leader
Pair of scissors
A guide to standard wing fishing knots similar this.

If you demand help with leaders, click here.

one. Attach the bankroll to your reel

The offset step to setting upwards your reel is getting the backing tied on. The amount you'll need will vary based on the reel, merely even so information technology isn't an exact scientific discipline. You tin can ofttimes look up your specific reel and see the recommendations for backing, but in full general, a reel will accept around 100-125 yards, and can handle some jerk room.

What you don't want is and so much backing that your fly line can't fit comfortably on your reel without rubbing, so if you detect during the next pace that it's cramped, you can go back and remove some excess bankroll.

To attach the backing, wind the end around the arbor (center) of your reel and tie an arbor knot. After you've tied information technology, trim the tag end closely.

Once your arbor knot is secure, it's time to reel up the backing. When you first start reeling, it's probable the bankroll will just slip around the arbor of the reel as it turns. To fix this, I usually showtime reeling very slowly and with very niggling tension. In one case the bankroll "catches" and starts winding up, y'all can add more tension, which y'all'll use throughout the rest of the spooling procedure. Equally yous reel, brand sure to spread the backing across the reel to avoid letting it build upward also much in a unmarried strip. Information technology should await like this every bit you get.

A fly reel partially spooled with backing

When you're washed spooling it, you can cut it with scissors. Like I said, if yous observe out during the next step that yous've used too much, you tin can always come dorsum and trim it farther back.

ii. Attach the wing line to the backing

Note: earlier starting this footstep, make sure y'all know which end of your fly line is meant to connect to the backing. Fly lines often come with a tag letting you know which terminate is which, but if yours doesn't, look for the end that is long, thin, and uniform. The other end should take a weighted taper (for weight-forward lines).

Now that your backing is spooled, information technology'southward time to connect the fly line. How you do this will depend on your fly line. These days, many wing lines come up with a welded loop on both ends. If that's the case, your life is easy. All you need to do is tie a clinch knot through the loop with the backing and trim the tag cease.

If your fly line does not come with a welded loop, in that location are two main options for connecting the fly line to the bankroll. These are the Albright knot and the nail knot. Either one works, simply many would say the Albright is easier to necktie.

Afterward y'all tie your knot, make sure you trim the tag end closely. I once lost a giant rainbow trout because the fish took me into my bankroll, and the connecting knot got caught in one of my rod guides and popped the fish off.

When you're washed, it should be a clean, streamlined knot. My wing line, like well-nigh, had a welded loop, and here's what information technology looked like.

Side by side, reel the entire fly line upwardly the same fashion you did the bankroll. Keep tension equally you lot reel, and spread the line out across the reel. When you're washed, the wing line should fill the reel without touching the line guard (the office that goes across the spool). If it'south butting up against the metal, go back and remove some backing. Here you can meet the line coming close to, only non crowding, the line guard.

3. Attach the leader to the fly line

Now it'southward time to attach the leader to the wing line. Once again, most modern lines will come with welded loops. If this is the case, you tin can use a loop-to-loop connection if your leader has a loop besides, or a clinch knot if information technology doesn't. Be careful with your connections, though. Many people attach loops the wrong way.

Here is the wrong way to do it. If y'all do it this style, it's very clunky and will likely get trapped in your guides every time you fish.

A fly line is connected to a leader — Do NOT connect a leader like this.

Here'south the correct way to do a loop-to-loop connexion.

If your fly line doesn't have a loop on the cease, you accept two primary options. One is to use a smash or Albright knot to connect your leader to the fly line. While this works, I don't like it because it's a hurting when you have to alter leaders.

The other selection, and my preferred method, is to use the nail or Albright knot to connect a strong, stiff piece of monofilament line (I like around iii inches, simply the length is up to you lot) to the fly line, and then tie a perfection loop at the other end of the monofilament. Using this method ways you only have to tie the hard knot once, and now yous have a "permanent" loop at the end of your fly line. This can be used for loop-to-loop connections or a assure knot. It looks similar this.

a fly line connected to a piece of monofilament

Done!

And that'southward it. The only thing left is adding your tippet when you become angling. When done correctly, you'll rarely need to unspool your reel. But replace your leader or clean your wing line when needed, and you're still good to go with the aforementioned setup.

If y'all have any questions on getting your reel set upward, don't hesitate to attain out!