Fly Fishing Glossary: 22 Terms Explained
The words that show up in fly fishing specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon. Open any term for the full explanation and what to look for when buying.
- Backing
- Thin braided line spooled onto the reel under the fly line to add capacity for a long, fast run.
- Read more about backingRelated: Best Fly Line Backing: The Insurance Under Your Fly Line
- Breathable waders
- Waterproof waders made from laminated fabric that lets body moisture vapor escape, keeping anglers drier than rubber waders.
- Read more about breathable waders
- Catch and release
- Returning a caught fish to the water quickly and carefully, using wet hands and gentle handling to help it survive.
- Read more about catch and releaseRelated: The Best Fly Fishing Nets
- Dry fly
- A fly tied and treated to float on the surface, imitating an adult insect that trout can see from below.
- Read more about dry flyRelated: Best Dry Fly Selections
- Euro nymphing
- A tight-line nymphing technique using a long, light rod and weighted flies with no strike indicator on the water.
- Read more about euro nymphingRelated: Best Euro Nymphing Rods: Long, Light, and Sensitive by Design
- Floating line
- Fly line that rides on top of the water, used for dry flies, most nymphing and general trout and bass fishing.
- Read more about floating lineRelated: Best Floating Fly Lines: The Upgrade Most Rods Are Waiting For
- Fly floatant
- A gel, liquid or powder treatment applied to dry flies to help them shed water and keep floating on the surface.
- Read more about fly floatant
- Fly line weight
- The weight rating printed on fly line that must match the rod's weight rating so the rod loads and casts correctly.
- Read more about fly line weightRelated: Best Floating Fly Lines: The Upgrade Most Rods Are Waiting For
- Fly tying vise
- A clamping tool that holds a hook steady at the tying bench so thread and materials can be wrapped with both hands free.
- Read more about fly tying vise
- Leader
- The clear, tapered length of monofilament or fluorocarbon tied between the fly line and the tippet.
- Read more about leaderRelated: Best Tapered Leaders: Smooth Turnover from Line to Fly
- Nymph
- A fly fished under the surface to imitate the immature, sub-surface stage of aquatic insects that trout eat most often.
- Read more about nymphRelated: Best Nymph Selections
- Polarized sunglasses
- Sunglasses with a polarizing filter that cuts glare off the water, making it possible to see fish and structure below.
- Read more about polarized sunglasses
- Rod action
- Where a fly rod bends under load, from fast rods that flex near the tip to slow rods that bend deep into the blank.
- Read more about rod action
- Rod weight
- A number from about 1 to 12 that matches a fly rod, reel and line to the size of the fish and flies you plan to fish.
- Read more about rod weightRelated: Best 5-Weight Fly Rods: The One Trout Rod That Does It All
- Sighter material
- A brightly colored section of leader used in euro nymphing to visually detect subtle takes without a strike indicator.
- Read more about sighter material
- Sinking line
- Fly line built to sink at a rated speed so streamers and other flies can be fished deep in the water column.
- Read more about sinking lineRelated: Best Sinking Fly Lines: Getting Flies Down Where Fish Hold
- Split shot
- Small, pinch-on weights added to the leader to sink a nymph or fly faster and deeper in moving water.
- Read more about split shot
- Streamer
- A larger fly that imitates baitfish or other prey and is actively stripped through the water to trigger a strike.
- Read more about streamerRelated: Best Streamer Selections
- Strike indicator
- A small, buoyant float attached to the leader that dips or twitches to signal a subtle take on a nymph.
- Read more about strike indicatorRelated: The Best Strike Indicators
- Tippet
- The thin, level line tied to the end of the leader and then to the fly, sized by an X rating.
- Read more about tippetRelated: Best Tippet: Spools Worth Trusting Your Fish To
- Wading boots
- Sturdy boots worn over wader feet that provide grip and ankle support on slippery streambeds and river rocks.
- Read more about wading boots
- Weight-forward line
- A fly line taper with most of its weight concentrated in a short front section, the taper most anglers cast today.
- Read more about weight-forward line