Silk backing line

[Farace]

I have my grandfather's wooden fly line drying reel, on which was a couple of silk lines (one too weak to use, unfortunately), some early nylon fly lines (very silk looking, but not), and a bunch of white backing line which I presume is silk (I need to do a flame test to be sure). I'm not inclined to use the backing line; I don't mind the maintenance that comes with a silk fly line, but having to maintain backing is a bit much. (If it turns out not to be silk, I may as well just use new backing anyway.) Two questions: 1) Does the backing have any collector value (in other words, would it be displayed on or with a reel?); and 2) is it the same as would have been used on a baitcasting reel? Thanks!

[Ron Mc]

likely it is, since that's what was available at the time.

I buy braided nylon ice fishing lines for backing on my classic fly reels, because it looks cool.
they're also teflon impregnated to keep them waterproof.

[Farace]

Ron, all your photos are good, and some of them are art, like this one.

The ice fishing line sounds good, but I think I'll need a more subdued color to go with an oiled silk line.

[Ron Mc]

yeah, I'm kinda proud of that one.

thanks, bro

here's a subdued color - sandy. I bought a full box of 32-lb. braid - 200-yd spools, 12 ea. on ebay for $24. (of course that was in the spring - this is the season ice fishing lines go up in price)


if you hunt around for Mason, you can also find it in black.

but even this christmas-tree green mason looks dressy on the reel


you really should remove old silk lines from your reels. They mildew and the biology creates sulfide and ammonia and things that are bad for reels.
Not to say that a braided silk fly line in good or refurbished condition shouldn't be used - but get a line winder/drier if you plan to fish them.

[Farace]

you really should remove old silk lines from your reels. They mildew and the biology creates sulfide and ammonia and things that are bad for reels.
Not to say that a braided silk fly line in good or refurbished condition shouldn't be used - but get a line winder/drier if you plan to fish them.

I will; I keep telling myself I'll do some fishing before the year ends . . . I do have a couple of line dryers, one a large wooden spool with a crank handle, the other a small brass affair with extendable arms that can be screwed into a stump or clamped to something and gets stored in a heavy canvas pouch. Looks like it was probably older than my grandfather.

[Ron Mc]

duh, you said line winder right up front.

[Ron Mc]

Hi Bob,
received a catalog in the mail today From National Sports Supply - ice fishing (like we do a lot of that in S. Texas)

www.877icefish.com

they have Polar (also good) in 100-yd spools.

they 1000-yd Mason spools for $45 - gives you an idea of what a good deal for my 2400 yds for $24.

If you decide to hunt ice fishing lines, make sure its braided soft nylon or dacron - not mono or modern high-tensile braided nylon

[Farace]

Thanks, Ron, interesting stuff. I've got time, since I won't need it until spring, I think (I would imagine there might be discounts around then?). I've never gone ice fishing, so I've never encounted the line.

[john elder]

Ron/Bob...I'm not clear what the purpose of backing is on a fly reel?

[hurdpete]

John:

The purpose of backing line on a fly reel is primarily to provide extra line in case your fish runs out more than the length of the casting line; usually seen on salmon and saltwater setups. It also increases the diameter of the spool, same as the arbor on a baitcaster, to allow faster line recovery. Most trout and bass rigs don't need backing, but if you want to use it, remember to connect it to the fly line!

[RAM]

John-When (not if) you remember to connect the backing to the fly line use a nail knot. Can't tell you how to tie it but any good fly knot guide will illustrate it. For extra safety use a drop of super glue on the finished knot. Had a friend who lost a 6 foot tarpon plus a $60.00 12 wt. line in the Keys because the guy who put the lines together for him apparently didn't use super glue (or tied the line wrong?). Wonder how long it took the tarpon to rid itself of a 60 yd. fly line?
Bad Bob, who has never had a smallmouth take him into the backing.

[Ron Mc]

allbright knot is easier and better for backing.
http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif

what I always do is tie on backing with an allbright, cut the backing about 6" and tie a small perfection loop on the line-end backing.

Then I put a larger perfection loop in the backing on the reel, so the loop will fit over the reel.

Then I can loop-to-loop and move lines between reels.




I do the same thing with my braided silk or nylon baitcasting lines. I use green spot for backing to fill up the spool and make a loop-to-loop connection so my 50 yards of black braid is all I need and I can move it between reels if I choose.

[Farace]

I did a flame test on what I hoped was silk backing and it's unfortunately synthetic. Now the question is whether to throw it away or not.

[Ron Mc]

I probaby have a nose for mildew, but if I smell it, it goes.

[hurdpete]

Bob:

Why not run off a few feet, tie it off to something solid, and give it the pull test? That will tell you all you need to know about whether to use it or not- if you can't break it without the aid of a truck, it's gonna hold anything you'll get into on one of those reels!

[Farace]

True enough. I shouldn't just dismiss it because of its age.

[Jack Bright]

Loop to loop is the way to go, even eliminates the need for extra spools.
Carry the extra lines you may need, (Sinking, sinking tip, etc., whatever)
sit on a log or rock and change lines, also lighter to carry and less cumbersome. `Way to go Ron !