Fly Fishing with Doug Macnair: The Last Word on Lines and A Few More About Backing© (Part 5)
Doug Macnair

Line Speed and Rod Loading
Iain Sorrell of Main Stream Anglers suggested I clarify a point many newcomers and, for that matter, experienced fly fishers may not associate with casting simply by understanding the AFTMA standards. Iain's point is important and has to do with line speed and rod loading in relation to the AFTMA line weight(s).

• A fly line manufactured in compliance with the AFTMA standards will fall within the prescribed range for a given weight as I discussed in Parts 2 and 3. It makes no difference whether we are discussing floaters, sinkers, or sink-tips or, for that matter, whether the line is weight-forward or double-taper. Given the same AFTMA weight, all of these lines weigh the same in the first 30-feet. However, note the sinkers are dense in contrast to the floaters. Place one of each side-by-side and the difference in diameters is startling. Dense means thin and thin means the sinkers cut through air like a knife cuts butter. Thus, a caster throwing an intermediate is able to generate very high line speed more quickly than what ordinarily can be done with a floating line. That's one of the reasons I favor the intermediates for distance casting in saltwater. However, the differences in handling -- high line speed and the quickness with which the rod loads -- require a word of caution. To maximize performance, change the timing of the cast to protect the rod from overloading.

• Depending on the fly line's type and taper -- floater, intermediate, or full sinker -- expect different load factors, either real or perceived, to be placed on the rod during the casting sequence. For example, a Scientific Anglers WF WindMaster loads differently then a WF Triangle Taper although both are floaters with the same AFTMA weight. Awareness to change in the casting characteristics should be a prerequisite to fly casters since loading varies from line to line. Adjust the casting stroke accordingly. Usually, the casting stroke requires corrections in (a) the timing of the double-haul, (b) the transition from the backcast to the forward cast, or (c) the line release at the end of forward cast.

• Rod loading, a subject we will explore further in fly casting, should be a very real concern to fly fishers. Overloading, is bad! True, the rod may not shatter, but it will cost the cast. If you watch the backcast, an overloaded rod behaves just as you might guess: an overloaded rod looks heavily bent and feels as if it's reluctant to spring back to vertical. Overloading is a victory for friend fish! The Fish Gods love it when mortals show their stupidity. Enough said!

Fly Line Backing -- A Dull Subject
Outdoor writers usually have lots to say about rods and reels, fly lines, fly casting, fish, and even flies. But how many times have you picked up an article or book on fly fishing and found the feature to be fly line backing? Not so many, I'll bet! If you are new to the sport, "backing" is the affectionate name for the line that connects the reel to the rear of the fly line.

I think most fly fishers consider backing a dull subject. If you've spent time hanging around a fly fishing shop, how often have you overheard a discussion on backing? Never? Some fly fishers don't even use it, considering it either a waste of money or something they will never need. While backing might not be as exciting as the latest innovation in graphite rods, I happen to think it is very important to the success of the fly fishing experience. In fact, backing is so important it could be the difference in whether or not you ever experience a fly fishing gestalt.

The Importance of Backing
Backing is important in two ways: first, backing cushions the fly line when spooled allowing it to rest in larger coils; second, backing keeps you in contact with friend fish as he strips away your fly line during a long dash to freedom. Fly line is expensive. No backing, no fly line -- no fly line, no fish! When it happens, and it does, that's not exactly what I call a "winning" day on the water.

So your buddy says, "Bull hockey -- I don't need backing -- there's no way a fish is going to take all my line!" Admittedly, that won't happen when you hang a 10-inch trout or a Rio Grande perch. However, it can and does happen. Usually this same guy wanders around with a graphite rod during an electrical storm. "Bull hockey," says he, "there's no way lightning will hit me." I recommend you don't stand near. There is apt to come a day when your "buddy" becomes another statistic.

Happiness or Disaster?
The truth is whether fishing fresh or saltwater, backing becomes an important consideration. Picture yourself in this situation:

"It's an ideal day -- the gentle breeze softly caresses your face as you watch your fly line soar through the azure blue sky, the loop perfectly formed and tight. And it is your day … Somehow you sense this is going to be a day like no other you've ever experienced. Nothing you do with rod, line, and reel is to be less than perfect. Far away, your fly drops towards the water. Before it has even settled into the surface film, the surface explodes. This is it! The moment you've spent a lifetime waiting for has arrived. Surely, this will be a new record. The hookup is solid, the battle with the giant permit is joined! Now, it's your skill with a fly rod against the power of man's oldest adversary, friend fish. He runs. The reel sings. In a flash, the last of the fly line is off the reel. Now only the backing remains between the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Too late, you recall the backing is old, taken from another reel. In fact, you cannot recall the yardage or line strength. Frantically, you palm the reel's exposed rim applying all the drag your rig can stand. Nothing you do seems to slow the flight of the permit. You watch in horror as the moment of truth dawns -- that snap you just heard was the separation of the line knot to the spool. You watch as the end of your backing passes through the tip-top going that-away." (Adapted from Fly Fishing for the Rest of Us, Copyright: Douglas G. Macnair, 1996-2000.)

If this happens to you, don't wonder in later life why people inquire as to how you became a bum and a drunk. But that's why I am here -- to save you -- to prevent this tragedy from ever occurring -- to make you a hero instead of a bum. Read on!

Traditional Backing
Traditionally, backing has long been available in 12, 20 and 30 pound test, usually fabricated from Dacron or a similar material called micron. The manufacturers assume the 12-pound test is used on little reels like the Ryall, Jr.; the 20-pound test on the more traditional reels sized for 4, 5, 6 and 7-weight; and the 30-pound test for saltwater and larger reels such as the Billy Pate Tarpon or Marlin. Applying this logic, the size of most reels was, and is, governed by the size of the reel spool when loaded with an "X-weight" line and "X-yards" of 20-pound backing, the standard.

The Micro-Thins
All this made pretty good sense until the micro-thin lines appeared, beginning with award-winning Micronite by Cortland. Roughly, the micro-thin backing is about one-half the diameter of traditional Dacron backing in the same weight test. This means you can pack a lot of line on a small reel, a smaller reel that always seems to cost less than its bigger brother(s). For example, the Abel #1 at about 7 ounces is not only an excellent reel but one that's perfect for small-framed individuals, even in saltwater. However, the Abel #1 is limited in backing capacity to about 125 yards of 20-pound test with a 7-weight line and 100 yards with an 8-weight. With Micronite-20, however, it's possible to up the capacities to between 250 and 200 yards, respectively -- enough for almost any fish except "Jaws."

Be aware, however, the super-thin backings carry a serious warning, particularly in the lighter 20-pound weight: The line must be very tightly spooled when loaded. If it isn't, the run of a powerful fish can cause the line to "dig into the spool" creating a snag that you will never overcome. Considering the added cost of the thin backing, this caution is a must! For the record, all backing should be tightly spooled, if a stupid error is to be avoided.

It's Your Choice
What should you use? I spool light little reels with 20-pound test Micronite or its equivalent. Since the 30-pound micros are slightly smaller than the standard 20-pound backing, I load the thin-30s to almost everything else but the largest reels. For the large reels with ample capacity, I load the traditional 30-pound Dacron or micron backing. Having been sorry a few times, I finally learned to be safe. I think there might be a lesson here. While it's easy to determine which fish have the reputation for making long runs, don't forget other fish such as the back bass. A largemouth might not run ten miles, but it will do everything possible to snag your line in the structure below. If the run happens to get into the backing, your chances of freeing the line are better with 30-pound test. Use the light-20 and the Fish Gods are apt to laugh and laugh.

Let me emphasize the micro-lights have a place in your inventory. My wife is slight and loves fishing a little Lamson LP 1.5 fly reel that's a perfect match for her very special 8-ft. 2-6 Gold Series rod by the Wright Rod Company of Websterville, VT. While the LP 1.5 is little, light and precise, it has one disadvantage -- with a 5-weight line aboard, it's limited to approximately 50 yards of traditional 20-pound backing. Switch to a 20-pound micro-thin and everything changes. Tightly wound, the little LP 1.5 carries a bit over 100 yards of backing of light-20. Since my wife understands fly fishing terms like "going to the reel," and "palming the rim," she has yet to have a problem, even in saltwater. (She would if the wind was up or a bull Red came along.) After every outing, both fly line and backing are removed, rinsed, and allowed to dry before being tightly re-spooled. The reel, of course, is also flushed with fresh water, thoroughly cleaned and lubricated in preparation for the next time out. Light tackle in saltwater is fun. Try it sometime, I think you might like the results.

Next Up: I think you will find "Of Tippets, Leaders and Knots" interesting, if not exciting. Next to backing, few things in fly fishing are more misunderstood and/or taken for granted. Hopefully, the discussion will blow away the smoke that surrounds the subject(s) and enable you to make cognitive decisions that contribute to your fly fishing success. God Bless.

© Copyright: Douglas G. Macnair, 1997-2002.