When it comes to fly fishing, the spotlight is often on rods, reels, and fly lines—but a often underrated component of a well-balanced setup is the fly line backing. While there are a few options available, Dacron backing continues to be the go-to choice for anglers around the world. Why? Because it strikes an ideal balance between performance, durability, and cost.

Dacron, a type of polyester, has been used in fly fishing for decades—and for good reason. It’s incredibly resistant to wear, UV damage, and moisture, making it ideal for withstanding the elements over long fishing seasons. Whether you’re chasing trout in a freshwater stream or battling saltwater species, Dacron has the backbone to hold up under pressure.

Because of its thin diameter, Dacron allows you to spool plenty of backing onto your reel without overloading it and compared to gel-spun or braided Spectra lines, Dacron is much more affordable. Most fly reels are designed with Dacron backing in mind. Its slightly textured surface helps prevent slippage on the reel arbor, especially when secured with an arbor knot.