The next step is to tie your fly line to the backing using the Uni-Knot (image at right).

1. Form a one-inch loop in the end of your backingg leaving 6 inches of tag. Hold the loop next to the butt of your fly line leaving a half-inch of tag from your fly line to spare.
2. Thread the butt end of your backing around your fly line and through the loop several times. Keep the loops uniform and parallel.
3. Slowly pull both ends of your backing until the knot comes together, and tighten firmly. Trim the tag ends.
4. Wind the line over the backing onto the spool. You can do this easily by inserting a pencil into the line spool to act as an axis. Wind the line with slight tension. You're halfway there!

Leader To Line

The leader is an almost invisible piece of tapered monofilament line designed to slow down your cast for a life-like presentation of your fly to the water's surface. The illustration at right identifies the three types of tapers found in leaders. Each type causes a different presentation of your fly.

The easiest and most effective way to achieve the leader-to-line connection is the Loop-To-Loop connection. To do this, however, your fly line and your leader must end in loops. You can create a loop in your fly line two different ways:
You can purchase a Braided Loop Connector, a piece of braided monofilament line hollow at one end and looped on the other. Slide your fly line into the hollow end and glue the seam with a strong, waterproof adhesive. A Braided Loop Connector is a minor purchase and the most convenient way to avoid the trouble of tying a new knot should you break your leader.

Instead of buying a Braided Loop Connector, you may tie an 8- to 10-inch piece of 25# monofilament to your fly line using a UniKnot (see above). Next, tie a Perfection Loop in the other end of the monofilament (image at right).

1. For a small loop in the end of your leader. Wrap the tag end around once. This creates a second loop.
2. Place the tag end between the two loops. Then reach through the large loop and pull the small loop tight.
3. Trim the tag end.

Once you have a loop in your fly line, use a Perfection Loop to tie a loop in your leader line. Now you're ready for the Loop-To-Loop connection, a handy technique when you are up to your wrists in a stream and your leader breaks. When your line and leader are securely looped on either end, you can make a new connection in no time.

Remember these three steps:
1. Make sure your fly line ends with a loop (either a Braided Loop or a tied Perfection Loop) and your leader has a Prfection Loop on the butt end.
2. Slip the leader loop through the fly line loop.
3. Thread the other end of your leader through the leader loop. Pull snug.

Tippet To Leader