How do you know when it's time for a new line? Also, when you change the line, do you also have to change the backing?

When it starts getting cracked or worn and when you get dissatisfied with the performance, it's time to change. Or when you get a wild hair stuck up somewheres and conclude its time to get new toys

Backing ought to be OK unless there is some glaring reason it looks bad. Or if you want a new, pretty color to show thru the sides of the reel.

Just wondering because I got a reel from a buddy of mine that has line on it and I have no idea how old it is. It doesn't look too bad, so I thought I might leave it on for a while.

might as well...

A lot depends on how well you take care of your line.. I don't do much and will typically use my line way after it's probably time to replace it.. When floating line doesn't float anymore it's time Also new line will cast better but sometimes I don't notice it or care until I get new line and realize what I've been missing...

I've been using Zipcast and have been pleased with how it keeps the line clean and, well, zippy.

Zipcast is good stuff, and it seems to have benefits -rejuvenated finish, slick finish, and cleaner lines but I use it primarily on older used lines not my new ones. The tip-off is that -it smells of alcohol- that is not recommended by many manufacturers.

Les

alcohol , not good ? blasphemy !!!

LOL!

Now, now, it's not like he suggested you should clean your flyline with good scotch. He didn't want you to use it there to save it for other applications like thinning blood and making fishing stories sound more plausible.

Hey guys,

I really appreciate your answers here. I don't know enough to even ask the question, but you all really educate me. Thanks.
Although, I'm not sure exactly how much scotch to use on my line.

You'll need at least one bottle each of 5 different highland single malts. Using anything of lower quality than The Macallan is not recommended, however if major buildup is a problem Laphroaigh is known to be effective. Because of the high alcohol content of many scotch whiskies you should NOT attempt to clean your own gear. If you'll drop them and your high dollar fly gear off at my house, I'll take care of all of it for you. Note: cleaning in this manner is not for the faint of heart and could take months.

This message brought to you by your local Scottish Heritage Society. Remember, if it's not Scotch.....IT'S CARP!

any scotch is suitable for cleaning purposes, Bonded Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey is too be served on the rocks as you sit back & enjoy the good job you did.

By the way, I have some fly line trivia for ya, Open any big fly shops catalog and feel overwhelmed ? well there are only 3 factories that produce Fly Line; Rio, Cortland, Scientific Anglers as I recall, all the rest are made by one of these three to their individual specifications. So now you know.