[JCP]

SWFF for tropical missiles with fins is where gelspun/spectra braided lines have found a following as backing on reasonable size reels.Technique for spooling up is as advised by using some turns of mono to tighten down onto the spool otherwise the whole lot can spin.Best wound on wet and under pressure with plenty of crossovers.Same applies when winding it back when playing a fish until you reach the fly line again.Respect it because it is like a cheese cutter if it comes into contact with your fingers going the wrong way or you get loose coils.The trick is to keep a tight line lift the rod and wind down to take back line when the opportunity comes on a fish like tarpon.You will never be able to wind against the fish anyway.Good luck if you are planning a trip.

Best JP

 

[JCP]

Spider referred to bones and tarpon in his post.
Do not as a rule use braid in freshwater although I have on the old Orvis made in Falmouth Battenkills which were a tad backing shy with the longer modern lines and some line profiles.

In the salt some pelagics can melt line off the spool faster and farther than you might imagine under some circumstances.If we are strictly talking freshwater then no intent to mislead.

Best JP

 

[JCP]

150 0f 20# backing on your Lamson would have been ample for Patagonia but you will have gel-spun for another type of trip as the line has a long shelf life.

Just a thought Spider.Gel-spun is better not to be too thin for a fly reel.At least 50lb up to 80lb depending on the mono equivalent diameter for ease of handing when off the reel plus the tendency to bind/dig into the spool under pressure is greatly reduced.Thinner braid is very prone to do this on a revolving drum unit like a fly reel.Loop reels help with this by the V shape.Wider drum reels are more likely to encounter this issue when under serious pressure.Not likely to happen in Patagonia but worth bearing in mind when using gel-spun which is likely to be outside the rod tip.Might pay you to work out the equation of loading the lamson with gel-spun before you break the seal.20lb braided dacron is about the diameter of 15-17lb mono.50lb gel-spun varies but 9lb-12lb depending on the brand as a ball park figure.No wish to drive you nuts but had a lot of experience with these lines and it is not a case of simply buying a spool and winding it on.I wish it were that simple.

Have a great adventure on the trip of a lifetime.

Best JP