The fly line to backing thread got me thinking that i have probably needed my backing only three times in 15 years fly fishing. Admittedly until 3 years ago i had not fished for a stocked fish and i don't fish rivers much or for salmon/sea trout.
So i would like to know who out there sees there line disappear and get that moment of worry until the backing does its job on a regular basis?
Noel.

Not too many times recently but enough to know that when I do I am glad it is there.
Tight Lines

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"The Future's Bright The Future's Wet Fly"

I saw mine 3 times today at Beecraigs But usually don't see it that often unless I'm fly fishing for mackerel

only when I am cleaning my lines!
So about once a year in March

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Seaweed

never in 25 years trout fishing. makes me wonder why i bother with it.

Get yourself to Rosslynlee fishery, you'll see it quite a bit!!!

Dougie

how big a trout (reasonably conditioned ) do you reckon would get you down to your backing on a rod rated 8 or9? four or five pounds?

It depends on several factors I suppose. A meaty rod like that should have enough backbone to control a 4 or 5 pounder pretty quickly.

I usually fish a 5 or 6 weight and if a fish takes the fly 20-odd yards out and goes the other direction, it ain't long before the backing is out even with firm, controlled pressure!!

Dougie

A 2.5/3lb rainbow hooked in the shallows of grafham/Rutland will have you seeing a lot of backing ,thats if you fish nymphs /trads on #5/6 outfits .
When I did a lot of bank fishing on similar lakes was always glad of plenty of backing ,its easier these days ,most hooks are OK and tippets are so strong for their diameter so I can hold on harder !

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Andy Wren
Winter grayling taking a year off !
Claret not just a great dubbing colour!

Ive had numerous 3 and 4 pounders on menteith, which i would consider to produce some fairly active fish, and not been near the backing. its not as if ive been horsing them in either, as i normally only use four pound nylon.
maybe one day ill see the backing, no doubt as my floating line disapears into the distance.