What is the best way to get twists out of fly line backing?
You get those twists from sitting on the fly reel for a while when you cast and it makes for a less than smooth lay on the top of the water. Anybody know the best way to get your line to lay flat and straight? I usually pinch my fingers on the fly line and pull so that I can pull the twists out of it, but that takes a long time sometimes.
Thoughts?
Hmm. Well, I think you are using the wrong terms, but I also think I understand your question.
First, you're talking about loops in your line caused by being wound on the reel. This is known as "memory," and it gives the line a spring-like appearance. This is a common problem.
However, "backing" is not the same as "fly line". Backing is the high-strength, braided dacron line that attaches to your fly reel, under your fly line. Typically, backing doesn't come out of the reel while you're casting, unless you can routinely make 100-foot casts. You should never have to worry about memory loops in your backing because the only time it should come out of the reel is when you're playing a big, hard-fighting fish that takes all of your leader, fly line, and more. In this case, memory loops won't be a problem because the backing will definitely be straightened out for you by the fish!
I think what you're asking is how to get the memory out of your fly line, right? The brightly colored, tube-like plastic line that you cast with has developed some memory loops and it's interfering with your casting and presentation. This is understandable and well-known problem.
The first thing you can do is (before you start fishing) strip out the first 20 or so feet of your fly line and warm it up by running it through your hands or a leader straightener:
http://www.riverbum.com/Leader-Straightener-With-Snap/
These are really made for leaders, which also develop memory, but can be used for practically any line. Once your line is straightened out a little, go ahead and fish. As you wet the line and cast, it should relax even more.
Another thing you can do is remove the fly line entirely and reel it back in. It will take a memory again eventually, but reeling the entire thing on again will countervene the memory that it had before and it may lessen the problem temporarily.
The third thing you can do is get a better grade of fly line. The stuff you get for $12 at Walmart (or worse, the line that comes on inexpensive fly rod combos) will always take a memory and won't glide through your rod guides as smoothly as a better, brand name line. I wish this were not true, but the more expensive lines are definitely better -- plan to spend $40 or more for low end of the good stuff.
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