Newbie question: I've got a reel rated at 6,7,8. Its large arbor and has some spare reels. I now have a rod rated #4. Will the world come to an end if I wind the #4 fly line on to a reel rated 6,7,8?

The reel will be on the heavy side for the rod but otherwise will be ok
Bill

Might need to put a lot more backing on as well

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The best way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly.

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It'll be fine.
However you could start to lose your newbie status by buying an expensive reel, that you don't really need.
All part of fly fishing

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

Certainly not! Just put on extra backing. The best course of action is to take one of the empty spools. Put the flyline on the wrong way round with a loose clove hitch. Wind all the line on. Attach the backing to the flyline and wind on until the spool is full without binding on the cage. Cut the backing off the spool. Take the spool off the reel. Put one of the other empty spools onto the reel. Attach the backing to the spool using either an Arbour Knot or a Grinner Knot. Wind the whole lot onto the spool and there you have your line loaded perfectly with the ideal length of backing to suit the line and the capacity of the reel.

richard

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Who resides on the right bank of the Derbyshire Wye and is lulled to sleep each night by the mutterings of a weir, dreaming that "When the rivers and their inhabitants come first, we ALL win..."

I hardly think the world would come to an end over that!

Of course it could well make the outfit feel unbalanced which in turn could affect your casting somewhat if the reel is too heavy for the rod but it will also depend on the actual rod weight which could still be quite heavy for it's #-weight and the reel could be equally light when compared to other reels so the short answer is...
Try it and find out!
You're unlikely to harm anything and it's a great way of learning what's what - most people learn more from practical experience than they do from the words of others!

Tony

Thanks everyone for your very helpful comments. I'm not sure that right now the weight of my reel is my biggest casting hindrance but I take your point. I had considered a nice new reel but with the current set of purchases my bank account runneth rather dry! Joining fee to pay tomorrow as well!

What about the other way round?

I have a #8 rod that I dont have a reel for - could I put a #8 line on a reel rated 5/6 with less backing?
Not sure how different in size the lines would be, could I end up with not enough backing? How much backing is enough? From memory I think it takes 75 yards of backing with a #6 line

Doubt you'll get any back at all putting #8 line on a 5/6 reel but have a go. Being a #8 I assume its for longish range fishing, sizeable fish, so you do really need some backing, even its the thin micro stuff, 50 yds min really

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I wouldnt bother with reels as cheap as they are at the moment get the right reel for the rod. You won't like something that has been cobbled together.

BK