1. Backing: Your Safety Net

The very first line that will go on your reel, backing serves many purposes, hopefully the  main reason is to be a safety net between your fly line and then end of your reel because you have the fish of your life on!

• What it is: A thin, strong line (usually Dacron) that sits on your reel first
• Purpose: Provides extra length when fighting bigger fish that make long runs
• Think of it as: Your insurance policy – you hope you won't need it, but you're glad it's there!

When you buy a reel and fly line from Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters we will throw the back in at no additional cost and get your reel all setup and ready to fish.

2. Fly Line: The Star of the Show

• What it is: A thick, colored line that does the heavy lifting
• Purpose: Provides the weight needed to cast your (nearly weightless) flies
• Think of it as: Your casting power source – it's what makes fly fishing unique
• Pro tip: Different types (floating, sinking, etc.) help you fish different water depths

With different weights, tapers, and types of fly lines, this really is something you want our expert on.  Even a high end fly line with the wrong fly line will be a massive disappointment.  So, whether you are buying online from us or in the store, our staff of guides will get you lined out to perfectly match the species with your fly rod.

We are proud to sell only the best brands of fly lines that lead the market in durability and design carrying Rio, Scientific Anglers, and Airflo.

3. Leader: The Transition Master

In the good ole days, fly anglers built their own "tapered leader" by tying line and decreasing it with knots until it was time to tie the fly on.  Thanks to new forms of manufacturing, these lines are tapered with loop to loop connections making it fast and efficient to change tapered leader.

• What it is: A clear, tapered line that starts thick and then "tapers" to where we will tie on our fly or tippet
• Purpose: Gradually decreases from thick to thin, helping your cast "turn over"
• Think of it as: The smooth transition between your visible fly line and nearly invisible tippet
• Usually: 9FT long for most trout fishing (sometimes 7.5FT as we fish to turn over big bugs like the Salmonfly Hatch)

The size of the tapered leader will depend on the species and locations you are fishing.  The best way to buy tapered leader is in the 3-packs from either Rio or Scientific Anglers.

4. Tippet: The Final Connection

And the final piece of the puzzle, tippet.  With tippet 

• What it is: an individual spool of fly line that maintains its diameter the entire spool.
• Purpose: to extend the life of your tapered leader by adding it as you cutoff (or break off) flies
  
• Note: Comes in different strengths (X sizes) for different situations