Reversing Your Double-Taper Fly-Line

It took me nearly 30 years of being a fly-fisherman before I realized the reason why they make double-taper fly-lines: you are meant to reverse them after the one end becomes worn out, giving yourself, essentially, an entirely new fly-line. After all, how many times do you fish out to the backing or even expose the second half of your fly-line? If you're like me, and fish in small streams, then the answer is: not often. Thus, the "back taper" which has been attached to the backing for twenty years now (yes, that long) is clean and ready to go. 

Naturally, the entire length of the line is not new and it's doubtful I'll get 20 more years out of this line, especially not with as much I'm fishing these days. However, it sure beats having to shell out for another fly-line. 

Here is how to reverse a double-taper fly-line:

1.) Cut the front end of the fly line as close as possible to the loop or leader. 

2.) Pull out the rest of the fly line until you get to the backing. 

3.) Cut the fly-line as close as possible to the backing knot. And cut the backing.

4.) Take the "front taper" of your fly-line, that you've been fishing with and tie it to the backing. I used an Albright knot but if you're into self-torture you can use a nail knot. 

5.) Reel your line back in, tightly so it packs over itself properly.

6.) Tie a leader or loop to the end of your fly-line and you're good to go.

You will undoubtedly notice the new tip of your fly-line, which has been coiled tightly around the backing all these years, is still very tightly coiled. Fly-line as you probably know has a "memory" which is why you use backing in the first place. 

Do not fret. The fly-line will straighten out after a few hundred casts or a few days on the reel. And if it's really killing your buzz, just stretch it (carefully) through your hands a few times.