Basic Fly fishing set-up

I am interested in learning how to fly fish and i would like to know about the basic set up of the fly line,leader and backing. Measurements would be great and any help is usefull to me. thanx

Darren it would be impossible to give you a comprehensive answer on a forum.
I couldn't even get you started without leaving a whole pile of unanswered questions. The key is casting and at best in writing it can only be described when it really needs to be demonstrated. Therefore your best and only real option is to have lessons. A qualified instructor will supply a rod and equipment, show you how all of the bits fit together and give you casting lessons and catching lessons. Orvis are the specialists in this field and I'm sure on their website at ww.orvis.co.uk there will be details of their flyfishing school. If Orvis are not in your neck of the woods or you're on a tight budget then get hold of a copy of Fly Fishing and Flytying or Trout Fisherman magazine and find a qualified instructor from their small ads. Look for someone who does group instruction if you want to save a bit of dosh. By all means buy a book as a primer but its not the way to learn to flyfish. Even if I described a typical backing, line,leader, cast set-up it would only be one of many that a decent instructor can show you in a few minutes. The other good thing about an instructor is that you can use his/her equipment whilst working out whether you really like flyfishing or not. If you don't you'll save a packet.
Where do you live?

Darren , try the tackle shop by the bailey head in oswestry. they do do real good fly casting instruction.

I live in north wales.

Don't know the area Darren, but I bet there are a number of good classes going on somewhere close by. Two other places to try. Your local education authority may have evening classes, that has to be the cheapest way and also if you have any private 'put and take' trout lakes close by they usually run classes. You can check what lakes are available close to you by buying one of the magazines. Trout Fisherman is probably the most comprehensive.

Darren, I've just bought a flyfishing kit. I've never flyfished before so I don't know much about the set up. But, in this kit is a rod, a reel, 30yds backing, 30yds WF7 fly line, some leader material, a couple of flys and a fly casting video. No written instuctions. I've put all the backing on the reel, as well as all the fly line. From what I gather, you need different length and b.s. leaders for various conditions so I haven't tied the leader on yet. When I eventually get round to trying it out it will be very 'suck it and see' (as they use to say in the olden days) I'll probably start off with 6ft of 4lb b.s. to start with and see where we go from there. Good luck with your new venture, this fluff-chucking sounds fun!

As a very general rule:

Small streams 7-8ft rod #3-4 line
Rivers - 8-9ft rod #4-5 line
Big Rivers & small stillwaters - 9-9.5ft rod #5-6 line
Reservoirs - 9.5-10ft+ rod #7-8 line

I might be a bit out on these but I think I'm in the right ballpark.

I started a couple of years ago fluff flinging at my local reservoir. Last year I joined a club with a stretch of the river Derwent and a couple of stretches of brook/stream fishing. The 10ft #7 rod and line I had been using was useless on the river and streams so I had to get a much lighter 7ft #3 line set up. Fortunately places like John Norris of Penrith have sales where last years rods are heavily discounted.

I have purchased a rod a real with line. The rods a shakespear contender and the reel wich i would not consider to be any good is a professional. The problem with the real is i cant take the spool of any hints.

Sorry it was just jamed ive opened it now