FishingBanter - View Single Post - How much / what weight backing, for a wide-use 8 weight?

JR · December 1st, 2005, 04:35 PM posted to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly

wrote:

I've read so much bad stuff about Gel spun being dangerous, and in fact
I already have the bad habit of letting my finger touch the line
occasionally, so I'm thinking I should stick with Dacron.

I've had 20# gelspun backing on my summer steelhead reel for years.
Folks make it sound like a spinning saw blade, just waiting to take your
finger off..... kind of silly, IMO. I wouldn't clamp down hard on the
backing when it's going out, but very lightly brushing or touching it
isn't a problem. Anyway, by the time a running fish has taken all your
line out and is still going strong, your off hand has no business still
being anywhere near the face of the reel.... It's something that's easy
to learn.

If it worries you, though, I can't think of any reason not to go with
the larger reel. 6.6oz as opposed to 6.2oz is next to nothing for the
type of fishing you'll be doing.

JR