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Post 31 Jul 2022, 16:03 • #1 
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Joined: 01/17/15
Posts: 21
Location: US-PA
How much backing can I put on a Hardy Princess with a DT6


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Post 31 Jul 2022, 19:35 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3924
Location: USA - Illinois
See sticky at top Reel Papers post #49


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Post 01 Aug 2022, 05:48 • #3 
Guide
Joined: 10/26/16
Posts: 100
Location: UK
Hardy say 70 yards: their measurements are based on 20lbs dacron (because that is the backing they used to sell).
If you used gel-spun, you might be able to get to 100 yards.
Either way, as much as you would probably need with a Princess.


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Post 01 Aug 2022, 06:52 • #4 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/24/11
Posts: 1144
Location: Belgium
With 30 lb Gel spun it will be around 150 yards not all 6wt DTs are the same diameter or same length). Keep in mind that the spindle is very small diameter so not much take up if you get really deep into the backing. There was a multiplier version of the reel which makes up for that somewhat.


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Post 01 Aug 2022, 08:46 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/10/07
Posts: 1632
Location: The Netherlands
Who needs 70+ yards of backing on a trout reel? :D
I'd say fill it up so the 'inner side' of your DT doesn't have a too small coil. Otherwise when you want to turn the line, this inner side could be so coiled that it would become unusable.

Oh do swap sides more frequently, like every 2-3 months rather than after 2 years! This way you can use the line more than 4-8 years (if you keep it clean) with both sides in good condition


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Post 01 Aug 2022, 10:37 • #6 
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Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8920
Location: US-ME
Ha! Good point, but, as usual, at least two sides to it. Often the main purpose of backing is simply to fill the reel--increasing the diameter of the arbor, essentially--so the line doesn't have the small coil and loads close to the pillars. The backing is just "filler," enabling the reel to be used for for different line weights and profiles. Nevertheless, "more than needed" as actual backing if a fish runs, is good policy unless you know you will never fish where a big fish can't be chased and can smoke across or down river, or back deep. Fish that move in and out of resting lies to go on feeding sprees like to "go home" when hooked. On big rivers or lake inlets, they can run out a fly line and 100 yards of backing in one or two runs. Even a drifted boat can't keep up, let alone an anchored craft, just for the time to pull anchor and try to follow.

The method of winding on the chosen fly line, then the backing to fill is still the best. You can then walk it out to wind up backing to arbor, or reverse using other reeels and then winding it backing-first to the reel to be used. It really takes no more time than looking up charts and guesstimating. viewtopic.php?f=32&t=57447&hilit=fill+level


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Post 01 Aug 2022, 11:26 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/19/08
Posts: 1218
Location: Branson, Missouri
Tape end of fly line to inner spool.
Spool on the all the fly line - than all the backing to fill reel exactly where you want it be.
Unroll it all - then put it all back on in correct order.
Just as mentioned above.
Foolproof every time.
Fun and accurate.


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Post 29 Jan 2023, 18:05 • #8 
Guide
Joined: 12/31/10
Posts: 158
Location: Maryland
I used 50 yds of 20 lb Dacron.

That leaves plenty of room for a Cortland Peach DT6F.


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