How to Tie the Fly-Fishing Line to the Backing

Once you have the backing attached to your reel, you'll need to connect the line to the backing. Use the "Albright" knot for this.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fly-fishing Wading Jackets
• Backing/fly-fishing
• Fishing Fly Box
• Fishing Fly Kit
• Fly-fishing Flies
• Fly-fishing Leaders
• Fly-fishing Lines
• Fly-fishing Nets
• Fly-fishing Reels
• Fly-fishing Rods
• Fly-fishing Vests
• Waders

1. 

   Take the fly line and form an open-ended loop at the end of it. Pinch the line together with your thumb and forefinger where it crosses.

2. 

   Take the backing in your other hand and push it through the loop you just made, taking one turn around the fly line.

3. 

   Wind the tag end (the loose end of the line, the part used to tie a knot) of the backing around the fly line 10 to 12 times, so that it looks like a coil. Hold the coil in place with the hand that was holding the loop in the fly line.

4. Tighten the coil of backing by pushing the winds together and toward the end of the loop. Leave about 1/8 inch of room between the coil and the end of the loop. This will give you room to tighten the knot without the coil sliding off the line before it's secure.

5. 

   Tighten the knot by pulling the tag end of the backing and firmly holding both strands of the fly line. Then, while still holding the fly line, use the other hand to pull on the standing end (the rest of the line, not used to tie a knot) of the backing. To finish tightening the knot, pull only on the standing ends of the fly line and the backing.

6. 

   Trim the tag ends of the fly line and backing close to the knot, leaving a little room for movement. This will allow the knot to move a little while in use without slipping apart.

7. Clip the ends of your knots and leave about 1/8 inch so that they won't slip. Trim them close to the knot, allowing a little room for them to move when they tighten.

8. 

   Test the knot before fishing - if it slips, you can cut it off and try again without losing a part of your line.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice tying the knots with rope or clothesline. The larger-diameter string will be easier to work with while you get the hang of tying the knots.

• Tighten knots with one steady and continuous motion. You can also moisten the knot before pulling it tight to avoid deformed knots.