School of FlyFishing
Glossary of Terms
| Word/Phrase | Definition | Subject Location |
| action | describes the flex a fly rod makes under the load of the fly line | |
| adjustable drag | a drag setting that is able to be manually adjusted by turning a knob on the reel frame | |
| albright knot | knot used to tie vastly different sizes or types of leader/line materials together; e.g., to tie wire to line or leader | Knots 101 |
| anodized | refers the process by which metallic reels are coated with a protective oxide to deter corrosion | Fly Reels 201 |
| anti-reverse drive | type of reel in which the reel handle remains stationery as line is drawn off the spinning reel spool; engages only when line is being retrieved onto the reel spool | Fly Reels 201 |
| arbor knot | the knot used to tie backing to the fly reel | Knots 101 |
| back cast | that stage of a flycasting stroke that is on a backward plane to the rear of the caster | |
| backing | a thin, braided material, usually 20-30 lbs. test braided "dacron" or "micron", that is put first on a fly reel using the "Arbor Knot" to "back" the fly line to which it is attached | Fly Lines 203 |
| back spooling | when the line on a reel spool "overruns" the spool | Fly Reels 201 |
| bandana | a piece of cotton, roughly 20"x24", that is worn around the neck to assist in comfort control; | Equipment 103 |
| belly boat | slang for float tube | Equipment 103 |
| big game | refers to that style of reel designed for use with large fresh or saltwater fish that are also referred to as "big game fish" | Fly Reels 201 |
| blank (rod blank) | name given to fishing rods without any components affixed; a "naked' ("blank") rod | Fly Rods 207 |
| blood knot | a knot used to connect/tie together sections of leader; usually with different diameters of material as a means to taper the leader from butt to tippet (alternate: "surgeon knot") | Knots 101 |
| boot foot waders | that style of waders that has the "boot" as part of the wader | Equipment 103 |
| bugs | slang for flies used by fly fishermen | |
| butt cap | the fly rod component that fits over the end of the reel seat | Fly Rods 207 |
| butt end | that end of any line (backing, fly line, leader, etc.) that is attached first to any connecting part (as opposed to "tag end", "tip" or "tippet") | Fly Rods 207 |
| butt section | the section of a rod that holds the reel & is held in the casting hand (as opposed to the "tip section") | Fly Rods 207 |
| cartridge reel | type of reel that uses interchangeable plastic spools enabling use of multiple lines with one reel | Fly Reels 201 |
cast reels |
reels that are manufactured by "casting" the parts from a mold & then connecting together to make the whole reel | Fly Reels 201 |
| casting stroke | the complete cycle of casting the fly line using the backcast and forward cast | |
| chest waders | one piece waders that come up to the chest and are held up by suspenders | Equipment 103 |
| click & pawl drag | style of spool restraint that uses 1 or 2 spring-loaded "pawls" ratcheting against teeth on the spool | Fly Reels 201 |
| click mechanism | device used in click & pawl, as well as some disc drag systems, that results in an audible clicking sound as the spool rotates | Fly Reels 201 |
| clinch knot | the primary knot used to tie the leader to the fly | Knots 101 |
| clippers | device used to cut leaders, lines, etc.; usually attached to a retractable reel on a vest | Equipment 103 |
| counter weight | feature of reels that adds a weight to the exterior spool to enhance balance | Fly Reels 201 |
| dampen | a fly rod's rate of recovery from a cast | Fly Rods 207 |
| DEET | short for diethyl-meta-toluamide, the chemical most effective in the repellents used as protection against insects | Equipment 103 |
| density | weight measurement term (in grams) used to classify fly lines | Fly Lines 203 |
| direct drive | type of reel that has the handle connected directly to the spool, which revolves as the spool does in both directions | Fly Reels 201 |
| disc drag | style of spool restraint in reels that uses an adjustable clutch to effect drag | Fly Reels 201 |
| ditty bag | the fly fisherman's "handbag"; i.e., auxiliary "duffel" type bag for miscellaneous items carried while fly fishing | Equipment 103 |
| double click | reel that has two pawls | Fly Reels 201 |
| double haul | a fly casting technique (using two hauls) that creates increased line speed that results in longer casts | |
| drag | the undesirable effect caused by the flow of water current pulling on the fly line that results in the fly "dragging" behind in an unnatural manner | |
| drag | braking pressure applied to the revolving reel spool by a mechanical device built in to the reel | Fly Reels 201 |
| drag coefficient | term used to describe the start-up friction a fish has to overcome before the reel's drag system allows the spool to feed out line | Fly Reels 201 |
| dropper knot | a knot used to provide a loop off of the leader or fly line to which can be attached an additional fly or weight | Knots 101 |
| duncan loop knot | a knot used to provide a small, open loop in the leader tippet at the point where it is tied to the fly; to enhance the freedom of movement of the fly | Knots 101 |
| exposed rim | style of fly reel that has the outside of its spool as the outer frame, which as it rotates during line out is able to be "palmed" for drag effect | Fly Reels 201 |
| false cast | a completed casting stroke that does not result in the fly line being released by the caster; an "interim" casting cycle that takes place only in the air | |
| ferrule | the rigid connector point where rod pieces are joined together | Fly Rods 207 |
| fishermanwise | refers to fish that have been conditioned to fishermen and are therefore harder to catch | Leaders 205 |
| flex | used to describe rod action | Fly Rods 207 |
| floatant | any substance applied to a fly, fly line or leader to promote its ability to float | Equipment 103 |
| float tube | inflatable device used by single fly fisherman to floatfish in lakes; also called "belly boat" | Equipment 103 |
| fly dressing | category of substances used to "dress" flies to enhance flotation (also called floatant); or to make them sink; also included are fly line dressings for similar purposes | Equipment 103 |
| fly boxes | boxes used to hold flies; from sizes to fit vest pockets, to "tackle box" size for large/big water flies | Equipment 103 |
| fly fish | the method of fishing that uses imitations of insects ("flies") | |
| fly reel | the fishing reel used by fly fishermen | Fly Reels 201 |
| fly rod | fishing rod used by fly fishermen | Fly Rods 207 |
| forceps | also called "hemostat"; a slender, pointed pliers-like device with multi-purpose use for fly fishermen | Equipment 103 |
| forward cast | that stage of a flycasting stroke that is on a forward plane in front of the caster | |
| gravel guards | a device worn over the boot tops with stocking foot waders to keep out sand, gravel, etc.; also called "gaiters", or "gravel cuffs" | Equipment 103 |
| the component that serves as the handle of the rod | Fly Rods 207 | |
| guide(s) | metal circular devices affixed to rods through which line moves in a straight line | Fly Rods 207 |
| hackle | the part of a fly made from feather(s) that is wound around the hook to make it float an/or to make it look lifelike | |
| handshake loop | another name for interlocking loop | Knots 101 |
| hang up | the condition of the fly, fly line and leader being unable to be cast due to being stuck on some object | Leaders 205 |
| hat | usually a broad-rimmed cover used to protect and shade the fly fisherman's head and face | Equipment 103 |
| haul | the practice of movement of the fly line with the line hand to increase its speed during the casting stroke; (single haul; double haul) | |
| head(s) | a separate section of fly line, generally 30' long, that connects to the running line with a connecting loop; e.g., shooting heads, | Fly Lines 203 |
| high speed retrieve | synonym for multiplying reel | Fly Reels 201 |
| hinge | describes the effect of the imbalance caused when the connection of materials are too different in diameter or strength to support a cast | Leaders 205 |
| hip waders | two piece waders (one for each leg) that come up to the waist/hips | Equipment 103 |
| hook eye | the front end of a hook through which the leader is tied | |
| hook hone | or hook sharpener; small, portable device carried by fly fishermen to sharpen hooks | Equipment 103 |
| hookkeeper | device on fly rods to secure a fly when attached to a leader | Fly Rods 207 |
| improved clinch knot | an alternate way to tie the "clinch knot" for tying the fly to the leader tippet | Knots 101 |
| interlocking loops | the connection formed by union of two lines each with a loop in the end; functional for connecting leaders, tippets, lines, etc. (also called "handshake loop") | Knots 101 |
| knotless | refers to a tapered leader that contains no knots between sections | Leaders 205 |
| knotted | refers to a tapered leader constructed of individual sections of various diameters connected together by knots | Leaders 205 |
| lanyard | a device to which an item is "tethered" so that it is close by when needed; e.g., glasses; | Equipment 103 |
| leader | the tapered section of monofilament between fly line and fly | Leaders 205 |
| leadershy(ness) | condition in fish that makes them "spooked" by leaders | Leaders 205 |
| leader wallet | compartmentalized "wallet", usually carried in the vest, used to store a variety of leaders for different uses; | Equipment 103 |
| line guard | the solid horizontal "bar(s)" between the two sides of a fly reel over which the fly line passes | Fly Reels 201 |
| line hand | the hand of the caster that controls the fly line (as opposed to the "rod hand"); (for right handed casters, the left hand) | |
| line-in | refers to use the process of bringing the line in/onto the reel | Fly Reels 201 |
| line-out | refers to the process of taking line off/out of the reel | Fly Reels 201 |
| line speed | refers to the velocity of the fly line in the air as it is being cast | |
| line weight | term to classify fly lines by the weight of the first 30 feet | Fly Lines 203 |
| load (loading) | refers to the process of "cocking" a fly rod with the fly line by the application of the casting stroke | Fly Rods 207 |
| machined reels | one piece reels that are "stamped" out of a single piece of metal, often referred to as "bar stock" | Fly Reels 201 |
| memory | the undesirable property of fly lines, leaders or materials to "remember" their stored condition of being coiled or wound | Leaders 205 |
| mend | the practice of changing the position of the fly line on the water to minimize the effects of drag | |
| midsection | that portion of a leader between the butt and tippet | Leaders 205 |
| multiplying reel | style of reel that has a spool which turns more than one revolution for each turn of the reel handle | Fly Reels 201 |
| nail | a nail or other object used in tying the "Nail Knot" | Knots 101 |
| nail knot | knot used to tie the leader butt (or butt section) to the fly line tip | Knots 101 |
| nail-less knot | a knot used to tie the fly line backing to the butt-end of the fly line (substitute for the "Nail Knot") | Knots 101 |
| needle knot | knot used to attach the leader to the fly line (alternate for the "Nail" or "Nail-less" Knots | Knots 101 |
| net | a small (16x24"), lightweight net often carried while fly fishing to assist in catching fish | Equipment 103 |
| palming | the practice of using one's hand to apply pressure to the exposed ("palming") rim of a fly reel to increase drag | Fly Reels 201 |
| pawl | a metal device inside a fly reel that serves to provide drag; normally associated with a "click & pawl" mechanism | Fly Reels 201 |
| perfection loop knot | knot used to create a small, permanent loop; usually in leaders | Knots 101 |
| polarized glasses | eyewear that has specialized lenses which reduces the glare from water; "polarized" means the lenses have been specially made to protect eyes from ultraviolet rays (UV) | Equipment 103 |
| reel bag | small bag in which to keep fly reel(s) when not in use | Equipment 103 |
| reel foot | the flanged metal "bottom" of a fly reel that is attached to the reel seat on the rod | Fly Reels 201 |
| reel frame | the housing part of a reel to which the reel spool is attached; the frame is stationery, the spool rotates |
Fly Reels 201 |
| reel seat | the part of the fly rod that holds ("seats") the fly reel to the rod | Fly Reels 201 |
| reel spool | the rotating portion of a fly reel that holds the fly line | Fly Reels 201 |
| removable spool | style of reel that has spool(s) which can be taken off the reel frame | Fly Reels 201 |
| repellent | insect avoidance fluid; usually part of a fly fisherman's necessities | Equipment 103 |
| retractable reel | spring-controlled device, usually pinned or hooked to the vest, to which tools are attached for easy access; also called "zingers" | Equipment 103 |
| retrieve ratio | the ratio between the amount of line retrieved upon each complete revolution of the reel spool/handle | Fly Reels 201 |
| reversible retrieve | feature allowing the spool to be changed to allow the "reversing" of the retrieve: i.e., from right to left hand or vice versa | Fly Reels 201 |
| rod blank | see blank | |
| rod case | hard, tubular storage/carrying device in which fly rods are kept when not in use | Equipment 103 |
| rod grip | the "handle" of a fly rod, usually made of cork, held onto while fly fishing | Fly Rods 207 |
| rod hand | the hand of the caster that controls the fly rod (as opposed to the "line hand"); (for right handed casters, the right hand) | |
| roilly | term describes dirty or turbid water that is usually higher than normal | |
| roll cast | a type of fly cast that employs a shortened casting stroke performed in a rolling over motion | |
| running line | that portion of the fly line between the backing and the first 60' or so that is actually cast upon the water | Fly Lines 203 |
| sharpener | used to sharpen hooks; also known as "hook hone" | Equipment 103 |
| shock tippet | a specialized leader tippet constructed of heavy monofilament, wire, etc. designed to absorb "toothy" and/or very large fish to prevent break off | Leaders 205 |
| shooting head | a separate segment of fly line, usually about 30' in length, that is attached to the running line | Fly Lines 203 |
| shooting line | in casting, refers to the technique of adding distance to a flycast by increasing line speed; also used to describe a type of line material used for such purpose | Fly Lines 203 |
| single click | reel that has one pawl | Fly Reels 201 |
| single haul | a fly casting technique (using one haul) that creates increased line speed that results in a longer cast | |
| slack line | refers to a line that is not perfectly straight, that has some "slack" in it; in a designed cast, leaves "S" curves in the fly line on the water to provide protection against drag | |
| slip-on leader butt | a manufactured accessory, usually of braided material, that slips over the tip of the fly line to provide a knotless connection to a leader butt section to which leaders may be attached by knots or interlocking loops | Knots 101 |
| snake guide(s) | spiral-shaped metal guides; predominant one used on fly rods | Fly Rods 207 |
| spool capacity | the amount of line (fly line & backing) a reel's spool may contain; usually gauged by using a weight forward line & 20# backing | Fly Reels 201 |
| spool diameter | the diameter of the reel spool | Fly Reels 201 |
| spool release | lever or button activated to disengage the reel spool so that it may be removed | Fly Reels 201 |
| spool width | the diameter of the opening between the two sides of a spool | Fly Reels 201 |
| still water | slang for lakes or ponds, etc.; as opposed to "running water" of streams or rivers | |
| stocking foot waders | that style of waders that has no "boot" as part of the wader, requiring a separate pair of boots to go over the foot portion of the wader | Equipment 103 |
| stripping guide | round, circular metal guide; first up from the grip on fly rod butt sections; also called "ring guide" | Fly Rods 207 |
| stuff | our collective term for all the items of equipment, clothing or tackle that fly fishermen use | Equipment 103 |
| sunscreen | lotion or creme used by fly fishermen to protect skin against harmful effects of sun's rays | Equipment 103 |
| surgeon knot | knot used to tie together leader materials, usually of different diameters; substitute for the "Blood Knot" | Knots 101 |
| suspenders | elasticized, adjustable, harness-like device worn over the shoulders to keep chest waders up | Equipment 103 |
| tackle | for this course, refers collectively to fly rods, fly reels, fly lines and leaders; see Course Catalog for individual courses | |
| tag end | the loose, short, or "end-of-the-end" of a line (as opposed to the long end or "running" opposing line that is attached or leading elsewhere) | |
| taper | refers to the principle or process of the transition of materials (rods, fly lines, leaders) from thicker to thinner, or heavier to lighter, in a manner that allows a smooth transfer of energy between components | Fly Lines 203 |
| tip | the end of a component: e.g., fly rod tip; fly line tip; etc.; also to describe rod sections: tip vs butt | Fly Rods 207 |
| tip guide | closed round or pear-shaped metal guide on the tip of rods | Fly Rods 207 |
| tippet | term for the tip/end section of the leader that is tied to a fly | Leaders 205 |
| tippet material | line material of varying diameters, usually nylon monofilament, used to make and/or repair leaders; described by an "X" classification system that defines its diameter and correlating breaking strength | Leaders 205 |
| tippet spools | individual spools of monofilament of different diameter used to tie/repair/replace leader tippets | |
| tip section | the uppermost/top section of a rod; (as opposed to the "butt section") | Fly Rods 207 |
| try-line | refers to two (or more) 36" long sections of different color & diameter limp or braided nylon students provide that are used with the School's Knots 101 Course to practice tying knots; diameter can be 1/8th"-3/8th" or less | Knots 101 |
| turn over | refers to the proper result of a flycast that turns the leader and attached fly over the fly line at the end of a cast | Leaders 205 |
| wade | the act of walking in a stream or river; wading | |
| waders | waterproof outerwear worn while wading in water (as in "hip waders"; or "chest waders"; also see "boot foot waders", "stocking foot waders") | Equipment 103 |
| wade wet | means to wade without wearing waders | |
| wading belt | elasticized belt worn around chest waders to assist in keeping waders up and for added safety | Equipment 103 |
| wading boots | a pair of boots made for wearing with "stocking foot waders" and wading in water | Equipment 103 |
| wading cleats | an accessory that fits over waders or wading boots to provide added traction and safety while wading | Equipment 103 |
| wading staff | long, "walking stick" type device used when wading to provide stability and safety | Equipment 103 |
| weight | term used to refer to classification of both fly rods & fly lines | Fly Lines 203 |
| wide arbor | describes a reel featuring an arbor/center that is wider or oversized | Fly Reels 201 |
| wind knot | a knot in a fly line or leader resulting from improper technique caused by casting in wind | |
| vest | clothing, usually sleeveless, worn while fishing, with multiple pockets in which items needed for fly fishing are kept | Equipment 103 |
| zinger | slang for a retractable device | Equipment 103 |
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