Glossary
The language of fly fishing, defined plainly and grouped the way it is actually used. Search for what you heard on the boat.
Dry fly patterns (14)
- Adamsalso Parachute AdamsA classic mayfly imitation dry fly with a gray body and mixed brown-and-grizzly hackle. It’s a general-purpose “searching” pattern when you don’t know the exact hatch.
- Ant patternalso ant fly, flying ant pattern, black ant flyA dry fly tied to imitate a real ant that has ended up in the water. Most are small, dark, and low-floating, with a narrow “waist” between body segments.
- Beetle patternalso beetle fly, foam beetle, terrestrial beetleA beetle pattern is a dry fly that imitates a terrestrial beetle on the surface. Most versions use foam or hair to float and a simple dark profile to suggest a real bug.
- Catskill dry flyalso Catskill-style dry fly, Catskill dryA Catskill dry fly is a classic, high-riding mayfly-style dry with an upright divided wing and stiff hackle wrapped around the hook shank.
- Chubby Chernobylalso Chubby, Chubby Chernobyl hopperA high-floating foam dry fly that suggests big terrestrials like hoppers and stoneflies. Often used as a visible “attractor” dry, sometimes with a second fly tied off the bend.
- Comparadunalso Comparadun wing, No-hackle dunA Comparadun is a mayfly imitation tied without hackle, using a flared deer-hair wing and a tapered body to sit low and look like a dun.
- Cripplealso cripple pattern, crippled dun, emerger crippleA cripple is an adult insect imitation tied to look stuck mid-hatch, with a shuck, splayed wing, or a low-riding body that can’t fully take off.
- Elk Hair Caddisalso Elk Hair CaddisflyA buoyant caddis adult imitation tied with elk hair for the wing. It’s a standard dry fly for caddis hatches and as a general searching pattern.
- Hopper patternalso Grasshopper pattern, Hopper flyA hopper pattern is a buoyant dry fly tied to imitate a grasshopper or other big land insect that falls into the water. It’s fished as a visible “big meal” dry, often tight to banks in summer.
- Klinkhammeralso Klinkhamer, Klinkhåmer, KlinkA Klinkhammer is a parachute-style emerger that rides with the post and hackle on the surface while the abdomen hangs below in the film.
- Parachutealso Parachute dry, Parachute hackleA parachute is a dry-fly style with the hackle wrapped horizontally around a post, so the fly rides low and stays visible.
- Royal Wulffalso Wulff, Royal Wulff dry flyA high-floating attractor dry fly with a white calf-tail wing and a red “royal” band. It’s fished when trout are looking up but not keyed on one specific hatch.
- Spinneralso Mayfly spinner, Spent spinner, Spent-wing mayflyA spinner is a dry fly that imitates an adult mayfly after it has mated and fallen spent on the water, usually with wings laid flat to the sides.
- Stimulatoralso Stonefly dry, Stonefly imitation, Caddis dryA high-floating, bushy dry fly that suggests big stoneflies and large caddis. It’s commonly used as a searching pattern and as a buoyant top fly in a dry-dropper rig.
Mayfly hatches (8)
- Blue-winged olivealso BWO, Baetis, Blue wing olive, Blue-wing olive“Blue-winged olive” (BWO) is the common fly-fishing name for several small mayflies in the Baetis group. Anglers use it to describe the hatch and the flies used to match it.
- Green drakealso Green Drake, Green drake hatch, Green drakesA “green drake” is a large mayfly hatch that can bring trout to the surface for big dry flies, especially in late spring and early summer. The name is used for several similar-looking mayfly species depending on the region.
- Hendricksonalso Ephemerella subvaria, Red Quill, Hendrickson hatchA Hendrickson is a spring mayfly hatch best known on Eastern trout rivers. Anglers use the name for the insects and for fly patterns that match their duns and spinners.
- Hexageniaalso Hex, Hex hatchHexagenia are large burrowing mayflies (the “hex” hatch). Their nymphs live in soft-bottom lakes and slow rivers, and the adults can bring big trout up to feed after dark.
- March brownalso March Browns, March Brown hatch“March brown” is a common name for several medium-to-large spring mayflies and the hatch events tied to them. The name can mean different species depending on region.
- Pale morning dunalso PMD, Pale Morning DunsA “Pale Morning Dun” (PMD) is a common mayfly hatch made up of small, pale yellow mayflies. Anglers use PMD nymph, emerger, dun, and spinner patterns to match it.
- Sulphuralso Sulfur, Sulphur hatch, Sulfur hatch, Ephemerella sulphur“Sulphur” is a common hatch label for small yellow mayflies, most often in the genus Ephemerella. Anglers use it to match pale yellow duns and their evening spinner falls on many trout rivers.
- Tricoalso Tricorythodes, Trico hatch, Trico spinner fallTrico is a tiny mayfly (genus Tricorythodes) best known for dense summer morning hatches and spinner falls. On many trout rivers it brings selective fish and fine-tippet dry-fly fishing.
Nymph patterns (10)
- Beadheadalso bead head, beaded nymphA beadhead is a fly tied with a metal or tungsten bead at the front. The bead adds weight and a little flash, helping a nymph sink and ride hook-point down.
- Copper Johnalso Copper John nymphA Copper John is a weighted beadhead nymph with a wire-wrapped body and a bright wingcase. It’s used to get down fast and show a little flash in the drift.
- Hare's Ear Nymphalso Hares Ear, Hare’s Ear, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, GRHEA classic, buggy nymph pattern meant to suggest a range of mayfly nymphs and other small aquatic insects. Usually tied with hare’s mask dubbing and often with a rib and a bead.
- Jig nymphalso jigged nymph, jig hook nymphA nymph tied on a jig-style hook so it rides point-up, usually with a bead at the eye. Built to get down and drift with fewer bottom snags.
- North Country spideralso North Country Spider, North Country wet fly, spider, spider flyA North Country spider is a sparse soft-hackle wet fly from Northern England, tied on a small hook with a slim body and a short, mobile hackle to suggest emerging insects.
- Perdigonalso Perdigone nymph, Perdigon nymphA Perdigon is a slim, heavily weighted nymph with a smooth, glossy body (often UV resin) built to sink fast and track near the bottom.
- Pheasant Tail Nymphalso PTN, Pheasant Tail, Pheasant Tail Nymph (PTN)A slim, buggy nymph pattern tied with pheasant tail fibers, usually to imitate mayfly nymphs. It’s a standard “search” nymph for trout and other freshwater fish.
- Prince Nymphalso Prince, Beadhead Prince, BH Prince NymphA Prince Nymph is a beadhead attractor nymph with a peacock body and two white biots for wings. It’s fished subsurface to suggest a range of aquatic insects rather than one exact hatch.
- Soft hacklealso Soft-hackle, Soft hackle wet fly, Soft-hackled wet fly, Soft hackle nymphA soft hackle is a lightly dressed wet fly with a soft, swept-back feather collar that pulses in the current. It’s fished under the surface to suggest an emerging insect or a small drifting bug.
- Zebra Midgealso Zebra midge nymphA Zebra Midge is a small, slim midge-larva or pupa imitation, usually tied with a ribbed body and a bead. It’s a common choice for trout feeding on tiny insects.
Packs & storage (7)
- Chest packalso front pack, fly fishing chest packA chest pack is a small tackle pack worn high on the front of your torso, usually held by shoulder straps or a harness. It keeps fly boxes and tools within easy reach while wading.
- Fly boxalso fly case, fly storage boxA fly box is a small case that holds flies in organized compartments or foam so they stay dry, protected, and easy to find on the water.
- Hip packalso waist pack, fanny pack, lumbar packA hip pack is a waist-worn pack that carries fly-fishing gear at your beltline, usually with zippered compartments and attachment points for tools.
- Reel casealso fly reel case, reel pouch, reel bag, reel coverA reel case is a protective cover for a fly reel, used for storage and travel to prevent dings, abrasion, and grit from getting into the reel.
- Rod tubealso fly rod tube, rod case, fly rod case, rod travel tubeA rod tube is a rigid case that protects a fly rod during travel and storage. It keeps rod sections from being bent, crushed, or chipped in transit.
- Sling packalso sling bag, sling pack fly fishing, crossbody packA sling pack is a one-strap fishing pack worn across the body, with the bag riding on your back or hip. It swings to the front for access without taking it off.
- Slit foamSlit foam is a block or panel of dense foam with narrow slits that hold flies by the hook bend. It’s used in fly boxes and some packs as quick-access fly storage.
Streamer patterns (12)
- Articulated streameralso jointed streamer, hinged streamerA streamer built in two or more connected sections so the fly hinges and swims with a wide, lifelike motion.
- Brush flyalso saltwater brush fly, baitfish brush fly, synthetic brush flyA brush fly is a saltwater streamer tied with a pre-made “brush” of fibers wrapped around the hook to form a full baitfish profile fast.
- Clouser Minnowalso Clouser, Clouser minnow flyA weighted baitfish streamer with lead or brass eyes that make it ride hook-point-up. It’s used in fresh or salt water to imitate small fish and move quickly through current.
- EP flyalso EP streamer, EP baitfish, EP minnow, EP fiber flyA synthetic-fiber baitfish or shrimp-style streamer tied with EP-style fibers for a translucent profile that sheds water and holds its shape.
- Game Changeralso Chocklett’s Game Changer, Gamechanger flyA Game Changer is an articulated streamer with a segmented body that swims with a side-to-side “S” motion and a lot of body movement at slow speeds.
- Intruderalso Intruder-style streamer, Intruder-style fly, Stinger-style IntruderA steelhead/salmon-style streamer built on a shank or tube with a short trailing hook and a large, mobile profile made from sparse materials.
- Lefty's Deceiveralso Deceiver, Lefty Kreh DeceiverA classic baitfish streamer tied with a bucktail tail and a long, tapered wing. It’s a standard saltwater pattern for imitating mullet, anchovies, and other small forage fish.
- Muddler Minnowalso Muddler, Muddler streamerA Muddler Minnow is a deer-hair streamer with a clipped, spun head and a low-profile wing. It can suggest a sculpin, small baitfish, or even a large aquatic insect depending on size and color.
- Sculpin patternalso Sculpin fly, Sculpin streamerA sculpin pattern is a streamer tied to imitate a sculpin (a bottom-dwelling baitfish) with a broad head and a bulky, tapering body. It’s fished near the bottom with short strips and pauses.
- Tube flyalso tubefly, tube streamerA streamer tied on a hollow tube instead of a hook. The hook is added separately on the leader, so the dressing can slide off the hook after the grab.
- Woolly Buggeralso Bugger, Wooly BuggerA Woolly Bugger is a simple streamer with a marabou tail and a fuzzy chenille body, usually palmered with hackle. It’s fished to imitate small baitfish, leeches, or big nymphs.
- Zonkeralso Rabbit-strip streamer, Rabbit zonkerA zonker is a streamer tied with a strip of fur (usually rabbit) that makes the fly pulse and swim as it moves through the water.
Tippet-to-fly knots (5)
- Clinch knotalso Clinch, Clinch knot for fly fishingA clinch knot is a simple knot for tying tippet or leader to a fly’s eye. It’s quick to tie and common for dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers.
- Davy knotalso Davy Knot, Double Davy knotA compact tippet-to-fly knot that uses a simple overhand structure. It’s popular for tiny flies because it’s quick to tie and uses very little tippet.
- Improved clinch knotalso Improved clinch, Improved clinch knot to flyA common knot for tying tippet to a fly. It’s a clinch knot with the tag end passed back through a second loop before tightening for a more secure finish.
- Non-slip loop knotalso Non-slip mono loop, Kreh loop, Mono loop knotA tippet-to-fly knot that leaves a small open loop at the hook eye. The loop lets the fly swing and track more freely than a snug knot.
- Orvis knotalso Orvis knot, Orvis tippet knotA tippet-to-fly knot that uses a doubled line through the hook eye, then a tuck back through a loop. It’s known for good strength with less twist than a clinch-style knot.
Tools & accessories (9)
- Desiccantalso dry fly powder, fly desiccant, dry shakeA desiccant is a drying powder used to remove water and slime from a dry fly so it will float again.
- Floatantalso dry fly floatant, dry fly dressing, leader floatantA floatant is a treatment put on a dry fly or leader to keep it riding higher and shedding water. It comes as a gel, liquid, spray, or powder.
- Forcepsalso hemostats, locking forcepsA small locking clamp used to unhook fish, pinch barbs, and handle small rigging tasks without using fingers.
- Landing netalso fish landing net, rubber net, trout netA landing net is a handled hoop with mesh used to control and lift a fish at the end of the fight. In fly fishing it’s mainly about safer releases and fewer lost fish at close range.
- Nippersalso line nippers, tippet nippers, fly fishing nippersNippers are small line cutters used to trim tag ends and cut tippet or leader on the water. Most are spring-loaded and clip to a zinger, pack, or vest.
- Stripping basketalso line basket, stripping tub, line management basketA stripping basket is a waist-worn tub that holds loose fly line while you strip. It keeps line from tangling in surf, wind, or around rocks and grass.
- Stripping guardalso line guard, stripping finger guard, casting gloveA stripping guard is a finger sleeve or glove that protects your stripping finger from line cuts and friction during repeated strips in saltwater fly fishing.
- Wading staffalso wading stick, wading poleA wading staff is a collapsible or fixed pole used for balance and footing while wading. It gives a third point of contact in current, slick rocks, mud, or uneven bottoms.
- Zingeralso retractor, tool retractor, pin-on retractor, gear retractor, lanyard retractorA zinger is a retractable lanyard that keeps a tool clipped to gear but ready to pull out and use. It’s used for nippers, forceps, and other small accessories.
Waders & wading (10)
- Bootfoot wadersalso boot-foot waders, integrated-boot wadersWaders with the boot permanently attached. They go on as one piece, with no separate wading boot over a neoprene stockingfoot.
- Breathable wadersalso breathable wader, breathable chest waders, breathable fishing wadersBreathable waders are waterproof waders made from a membrane fabric that blocks liquid water but lets water vapor pass out, reducing sweat buildup.
- Felt solealso felt-soled boots, felt solesA felt sole is a wading-boot outsole made from dense felt. It grips especially well on wet rock and algae-slick surfaces but is restricted or banned in some places because it can carry invasive organisms.
- Gravel guardalso gravel cuff, wader gravel guardA gravel guard is the fabric cuff that seals the bottom of stockingfoot waders over your wading boot to keep sand and small rocks out.
- Rubber solealso rubber-soled wading boots, rubber outsoleA rubber sole is a wading-boot outsole made from molded rubber rather than felt. It trades some slick-rock grip for easier walking, faster drying, and simpler cleaning.
- Stockingfoot wadersalso stocking-foot waders, stocking foot wadersWaders with neoprene “sock” feet that slide into separate wading boots. They rely on the boot for traction and ankle support.
- Wadersalso Fishing waders, Fly fishing wadersWaterproof pants (often chest-high) that let you wade in rivers and lakes while staying dry and warmer. Most fly-fishing waders are worn with separate wading boots.
- Wading beltalso wader belt, wader waist beltA wading belt is a snug belt worn over waders at the waist. It slows and limits how much water can rush into waders if you slip or fall.
- Wading bootsalso wading shoes, wading boots for stockingfoot wadersWading boots are sturdy boots worn over stockingfoot waders (or wet-wading socks) to provide traction, ankle support, and protection on slippery river bottoms.
- Wading studsalso boot studs, cleats, wading cleats, carbide studsSmall metal screws that thread into the soles of wading boots to add bite on slick rock and hardpack. They’re removable and can be replaced when worn.