I fish only small streams.      Why do I need backing ?     

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To me, it is not always a question of "need."

I believe all reels should be filled to their maximum for the following reasons:

* You may actually "need" backing some day on that rare big fish. I had a whole line run off in a stream that is only 20 feet wide some years ago. That reel had no backing. Yes, I lost the fish of a lifetime for that particular stream.

* A reel filled with maximum backing keeps the line from being wound in little tight circles...........so not so "slinkyfied" when the line comes off.

* Line winds in faster on each crank.

* Less start-up inertia if fish takes off........less chance of tippet breakage due to the initial shock of the tippet being stressed.

* Less wear and tear to your reel.

* Less wear and tear to your winding hand.

* Essentially creates your own large arbor reel without a useless piece of hollow metal in the middle.  I had rather make my own  “large arbor” with backing.  Backing potentially has a practical use.  A hollow piece of metal just taking up space does not.