Reels, Lines, and Leaders: The Complete Setup
Your reel and line are just as important as your rod. Here’s how to set up your system properly.
Fly Reels
What Reels Actually Do
Unlike spinning reels, fly reels are simple:
- Hold line: Store backing, fly line, leader
- Provide drag: When fish runs
- Balance the rod: Proper weight distribution
Note: You don’t cast with a fly reel. You cast with the rod and line.
Reel Sizes
Reel sizes match rod weights:
- 3/4/5-weight reel: For 3-5 weight rods
- 5/6/7-weight reel: For 5-7 weight rods
- 7/8/9-weight reel: For 7-9 weight rods
For a 5-weight rod: Get a 4/5/6 or 5/6/7 reel.
Reel Features
Arbor size:
- Large arbor: Wide spool, less line memory
- Mid arbor: Good compromise
- Standard arbor: Traditional, holds more backing
Drag system:
- Click drag: Simple, palming needed
- Disc drag: Smooth, sealed (recommended)
- Sealed drag: Best, prevents dirt entry
For beginners: Mid to large arbor with disc drag.
Reel Quality
Entry level ($50-$100):
- Lamson Liquid
- Redington Crosswater
- Okuma Sierra
Mid-range ($100-$200):
- Orvis Clearwater
- Redington Behemoth
- Echo Ion
Premium ($200+):
- Hatch Finatic
- Galvan Torque
- Abel Super Series
For beginners: Orvis Clearwater or Redington Behemoth.
Backing
What is Backing?
Braided line that:
- Goes on the reel first
- Connects to fly line
- Provides extra line for long runs
- Fills the reel arbor
Backing Basics
Material: Dacron or gel-spun polyethylene
Amount needed:
- Trout reels: 100-150 yards
- General freshwater: 150-200 yards
- Saltwater: 250-300 yards
For a 5-weight: 100-150 yards of 20lb backing is perfect.
attaching Backing
Use an arbor knot:
- Loop backing around reel arbor
- Tie an overhand knot around the standing line
- Pull tight
- Wrap evenly, side to side
Fly Lines
Fly Line Construction
Core:
- Monofilament: Standard, less expensive
- Braided multifilament: Better, less memory
- Solid: Premium option
Coating:
- PVC: Standard
- Polyurethane: Some specialty lines
- Adds weight and floats
Line Tapers
Weight-forward (WF):
- Most common
- Weight at front of line
- Easier to cast
- Best choice for most anglers
Double-taper (DT):
- Tapers at both ends
- Delicate presentations
- Harder to learn with
- Roll casts better
Shooting heads:
- For distance
- Specialized use
- Not for beginners
Line Types
Floating (F):
- Most versatile
- Dry flies, nymphs, shallow streamers
- Should be your first line
Sink-tip (F/I):
- Floating line with sinking tip
- Streamers, wet flies
- Useful but specialized
Full sinking (S):
- Entire line sinks
- Stillwater nymphing
- Streamers in deep water
- Specialized use
For beginners: Start with a floating weight-forward line.
Line Weight
Must match your rod:
- 5-weight rod: Use 5-weight line
- Mismatched: Poor performance
- Heavier: Rod will feel overloaded
- Lighter: Won’t load rod properly
Line Tapers Within Weight
General presentation (GP):
- All-around use
- Good for most situations
Bass bug (BB):
- Heavier front taper
- Large flies
Nymph (N):
- Longer front taper
- Delicate presentations
For beginners: General presentation taper is perfect.
Brand Recommendations
Entry level:
- Cortland 333
- Scientific Anglers Mastery
Mid-range:
- Orvis Clearwater
- Rio Mainstream
- Airflo Velocity
Premium:
- Orvis Pro Touch
- Rio Perception
- Scientific Anglers Amplitude
For beginners: Orvis Clearwater or Rio Mainstream WF5F.
Leaders
Leader Basics
Material: Monofilament or fluorocarbon
Taper: Thick at butt, thin at tippet
- Gradual diameter change
- Transfers energy efficiently
- Delicate presentation
Leader Construction
Knotted leaders:
- Sections of different diameter
- Knots connect sections
- Better turnover
- Traditional
Knotless leaders:
- Machine-tapered
- One continuous piece
- Convenient
- Most common today
Leader Length
Short leaders (7-9 feet):
- Easier to cast
- Windy conditions
- Less delicate
Standard leaders (9-12 feet):
- All-around choice
- Good for most situations
Long leaders (12-15 feet):
- Delicate presentations
- Clear water
- Spooky fish
- Harder to cast
For beginners: Start with 9-foot leaders.
Tippet
The final section of leader:
- Where you tie your fly
- Most important for presentation
- Must match conditions
Tippet sizes (X system):
- 0X (heaviest) to 8X (lightest)
- As X number increases, diameter decreases
- As X number increases, strength decreases
Common sizes:
- 3X: Streamers, large flies
- 4X: Nymphs, small streamers
- 5X: General nymphing, large dries
- 6X: Small dries, nymphs
- 7X: Tiny dries, spooky fish
- 8X: Midges, very small flies
For beginners: Stock 4X, 5X, and 6X.
Putting It All Together
Setup Order
- Attach backing to reel with arbor knot
- Wind backing evenly onto reel
- Attach backing to fly line with nail knot or Albright
- Attach fly line to leader with nail knot
- Attach leader to tippet with blood knot or surgeon’s knot
- Attach tippet to fly with improved clinch knot
The Complete Outfit (5-weight example)
- Reel: 5/6 weight, disc drag
- Backing: 100 yards 20lb Dacron
- Fly line: WF5F floating weight-forward
- Leader: 9-foot 4X
- Tippet: 5X or 6X (as needed)
Budget Breakdown
For a complete 5-weight setup:
Budget setup:
- Reel: $60-80
- Line: $30-40
- Leaders/tippet: $20
- Total: $110-140
Mid-range setup:
- Reel: $100-150
- Line: $50-70
- Leaders/tippet: $30
- Total: $180-250
Premium setup:
- Reel: $200+
- Line: $80+
- Leaders/tippet: $40
- Total: $320+
Don’t Skimp On…
Line: Cheap line performs poorly
- Get quality line
- Makes a huge difference
- Most important component after rod
Leaders/tippet: Cheap stuff breaks
- Buy quality
- Better presentation
- Fewer lost flies
Save Money On…
Reel: For trout fishing, expensive reels aren’t necessary
- Get a quality mid-range reel
- Spend the difference on good line
Maintenance
Reel
- Rinse after use (especially saltwater)
- Check for damage
- Lubricate if necessary
- Store properly loosened
Line
- Clean periodically
- Use mild soap and water
- Dress with line dressing
- Replace when worn
Leaders
- Don’t use damaged tippet
- Replace after use
- Check for knots/damage
The Complete Setup Checklist
Before your first trip:
- Reel loaded with backing
- Fly line attached and on reel
- Extra leaders and tippet
- Nippers/clippers
- Forceps/hemostat
- Knot tying tool (optional)
- Extra tippet material
- Fly box with flies
Final Thoughts
Your line and leader are what actually present the fly to the fish:
- Quality line = better casting
- Good leader = better presentation
- Proper setup = more fish
Don’t get overwhelmed. Start with:
- 5-weight rod
- 5-weight WF floating line
- 9-foot 4X leader
- 5X or 6X tippet as needed
This setup will handle 90% of trout fishing situations.
Good luck and tight lines!