OK,your fly reel should be identified as to what weight line it can take. The fly line you want is 6,7 or 8 weight for steelhead. Now you have to get a pole to match your reel and line weight. So,you put on an 8 weight line(or whatever) on your reel then you need an 8 weight pole. The backing on the fly reel can be dacron of some kind. Fly shop will have backing and probably set up your reel for you and set you up with a matching pole.