How to Load a Fly Reel

Fly fishing can be an art form.

Fly fishing can be a beautiful art form, but it takes a bit of work before you are out on the water. Part of the task of setting up involves loading your fly reel. Fly fishing requires the right line to snag the perfect fish. The line's action plays an important role in luring the fish to your fly.

Things You'll Need

• 100-yard spool of backing line
• Leader
• Spool of fly-fishing line
• Tippet
• Scissors
• Flies

Instructions

1. Connect each piece of the rod by aligning the eyelets on each section. Fly rods usually have a screw that will secure the pieces by twisting the top to the bottom. Turn these pieces in opposite directions to tightly fit your rod.

2. Attach your reel to the small mounting bracket at the bottom of the rod. This is called the reel seat. Put the protruding end in the seat. Turn it by hand until tight.

3. Tie the backing line to your reel spool. Turn the handle. This will load your backing line to the spool. The amount of backing you need depends on the type of fish you're looking for. A length of 100 yards is enough backing line for most species.

4. Cut from the spool the backing line after it has been threaded to the reel. Tie your fly fishing line at the end of your backing. Spool an additional 10 yards of fly-fishing line onto the reel. Guide it with your fingers. This will distribute it evenly.

5. Thread the end of the fishing line through your rod's eyelets. Tie the looped end of your leader to the end of your fishing line. The leader is a smaller and thinner section of fishing line that is located between the line and tippet. The leader breaks if there is a snag, preventing damage to your fishing line.

6. Tie an end of your tippet to the small, looped end of your leader. Tie a fly onto the remaining free end. Push about six inches of tippet through your hook. Wrap the free end around itself five times. Pass the end between your wrapped line located near the round hook. Pull tightly to form a knot. Cut off the excess tippet.

References

• Fly Shop: Fly Rod Set Up
• Global Flyfisher: First Setup
• Killroys Fly Tying: Albright Knot