Fly Fishing Terminology: Learn to Speak the Language

Fly Fishing Terminology: Learn to Speak the Language

So you have decided to give fly-fishing a try. Of course you don't want to go out there and sound like a rookie, do you? Good thinking, since experienced fly fisherman can spot a newcomer a mile away. That's usually because a beginner doesn't know or understand that fly-fishing has a terminology all its own.

For instance, when you do any other type of fishing you use bait. When you are fly-fishing you use a "fly". Here is a list to help you with the basic terms that you will encounter in the sport.

Action-In other types of fishing when you ask about the action you are asking if the fish are biting. In fly-fishing "action" is the term used to describe the pace on a cast line of a particular rod.

Affluent-If someone is referring to affluent they are not talking about someone's wealth. They are talking about a stream of water that eventually leads to a larger body of water.

Frankenfly-This is the term usually doled out to the first fly you try to tie by yourself. It's really a play on words, but not a real good one, Frankenstein, frankenfly, get it?

Riffle-This refers to a good fishing spot that has very rapid moving water over something solid, usually rocks.

Dead water-This term refers to a body of water that has little or no current. This is a useless spot for a fly fisherman to try to catch a fish.

Bobbin-The word was taken from sewing terminology. The bobbin holds the tying thread.

Tinsel-This is just like Christmas decoration. It is a thin piece of silver, gold, or brass colored ribbon. It is used to make your fly shinier so, hopefully, you will attract more fish.

When referring to flies, there are five main categories: nymph, dry fly, wet fly, terrestrial, and stream fly, so make sure you refer to them correctly.

Here is what they are.

Nymph-This lure is made to look like an insect larva.

Dry fly-This fly mimics an insect floating on top of the water.

Wet fly-This fly swims just under the surface of the water.

Terrestrial-Here you want to imitate a flying insect that has fallen into the water and has drowned.

Stream fly-This fly is an attempt to mimic a hurt bait fish that would normally be in the stream you are fishing in.

Now that you can at least understand what fly fishermen are talking about you should take the next step and get yourself set up with a great fly-fishing rod and reel and all of the other gear you'll need.

The selection is huge with many different options to choose from. A good recommendation is that you get some help from someone that knows the sport and the requirements for the area that you plan to fish.

There you are, you have the language down. You've bought your gear, now get out there and enjoy the fly-fishing experience with out being singled out as the rookie.