Custom Rigging

We fish…a lot, and we don't like it when equipment fails. We take pride in our rigging and use connections that look good, are convenient, slip through your guides easily and will stand up to the toughest fish out there. We are happy to sell you all the parts if you like to do your own rigging. If, however, you would like to have us load your reel with backing and/or rig up a fly line we are more than happy to do so.

Backing

Our standard backing is high quality 20# and 30# dacron in a variety of colors. We typically use 20# backing for anything up to 8wt. 9wt reels can go either way. We recommend 30# backing for 10wt and above. We begin our rigging with a solid arbor knot and load up your reel evenly with backing on an electric line winder. We finish up with a Bimini Twist, which not only maintains the strength of the backing but also gives you a loop in the end to allow you to change out your fly line quickly and easily. In heavier line weights we tie a surgeon's loop in the Bimini to form a two-strand loop to spread out the pressure on the fly line. 

If you are buying just the reel and backing we will load it to the manufacturers specifications, or your specifications if you have a preference. If you are buying a reel, backing and line and would like us to put together the whole setup we will put the appropriate amount of backing on for the line being used. Unless you instruct us otherwise we will leave some extra space between the fly line and reel to allow for sloppy winding when you are fighting fish.

In addition to dacron we carry gelspun braid for use as backing. If you need maximum backing capacity or extra strength this may be the way to go. 

Fly Lines

Most fly lines we sell come with a welded loop in each end. If no loop is included we typically rig fly lines with whipped loops on both front and back. This is both for strength and for the convenience of being able to easily change your leader and fly line.

We start off the whipped loop with a nail knot (or two in the larger line sizes) with which we form a small loop in the end of your fly line. We taper the tag end of the line and use thread (generally red on the back end and blue in front, as in included photos) to create a smooth taper that will slide easily through your guides. We finish off with a coating or two of head cement. The line you see pictured here is marked, with bands of permanent marker, as a 6 weight with one large ring for "5" and a smaller ring for "1."

If you would prefer to have your leader attached permanently to the fly line we can attach it with a snell knot or nail knot. This is only recommended in 9 weight and below as the whipped loop has proven to be a more consistently durable connection method.

Special Requests

We have confidence in our standard rigging procedure but if you would like something different please let us know.  If backing capacity is important to you and you aren't laying out 100' casts then you might consider having us trim 10-30' off of the back of your fly line. You might also consider going with gelspun. We can put on less backing to give you room for potentially sloppy winding or pack on more than usual.