Fly Fishing Glossary: 15 Terms Explained
The words that show up in fly fishing specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon.
- Backing
- Thin line under the fly line that adds capacity for long runs.
- Related: Best Fly Line Backing: The Insurance Under Your Fly Line →
- Catch and release
- Returning fish quickly with wet hands, barbless hooks and a rubber net for better survival.
- Related: The Best Fly Fishing Nets →
- Euro nymphing
- A tight-line technique with long rods and weighted flies, no strike indicator.
- Related: Best Euro Nymphing Rods: Long, Light, and Sensitive by Design →
- Floating line
- Line that stays on the surface, used for dry flies and most nymphing.
- Related: Best Floating Fly Lines: The Upgrade Most Rods Are Waiting For →
- Fly line weight
- Matched to rod weight so the rod loads properly when casting.
- Related: Best Floating Fly Lines: The Upgrade Most Rods Are Waiting For →
- Leader
- A tapered monofilament section between fly line and fly.
- Related: Best Tapered Leaders: Smooth Turnover from Line to Fly →
- Nymph
- A sub-surface fly imitating immature insects, where trout feed most of the time.
- Related: Best Nymph Selections →
- Rod action
- Where a rod bends. Fast rods flex near the tip for distance and wind, slower rods bend deeper for delicate casts.
- Rod weight
- A number from about 1 to 12 that matches rod, reel and line to the size of fish and flies. A 5-weight is the classic trout all-rounder.
- Related: Best 5-Weight Fly Rods: The One Trout Rod That Does It All →
- Sinking line
- Line that sinks at a rated speed to fish streamers deep.
- Related: Best Sinking Fly Lines: Getting Flies Down Where Fish Hold →
- Streamer
- A larger fly imitating baitfish, stripped through the water.
- Related: Best Streamer Selections →
- Strike indicator
- A small float on the leader that signals subtle takes on nymphs.
- Related: The Best Strike Indicators →
- Tippet
- The thinnest end section tied to the fly. Sizes like 5X get thinner as the number rises.
- Related: Best Tippet: Spools Worth Trusting Your Fish To →
- Weight-forward line
- A line with a heavier front section that makes casting easier, the most common taper.