Gear & tackle
Rods, reels, lines, waders, packs and the tools that hang off them. What each piece does, what it is called, and what to look for when you are buying one.
48 terms in 9 groups
Fly lines (8)
- BackingBacking is thin, strong line spooled onto a fly reel under the fly line. It adds extra length for long runs and helps the fly line fit the reel correctly.
- Floating linealso Floating fly line, FloaterA floating line is a fly line designed to ride on top of the water. It is the standard choice for dry flies, indicators, and many shallow nymph and streamer setups.
- Fly linealso Fly fishing lineThe fly line is the thick, weighted line that loads the fly rod and carries the cast. It connects the reel and backing to the leader.
- Intermediate linealso Intermediate sinking line, Slow-sinking line, Clear intermediate lineAn intermediate line is a slow-sinking fly line that fishes just below the surface instead of floating high or dropping fast.
- Running linealso shooting lineThe running line is the thin, level section behind a fly line’s head. It carries little weight, and its job is to shoot through the guides for distance.
- Shooting headalso head system, shooting head systemA shooting head is a short, heavy front section of fly line that’s cast with a thin running line behind it, usually connected with loops.
- Sink tipalso sink-tip line, sink tip lineA sink tip is a fly line with a floating rear section and a sinking front section. It helps get flies down while keeping the cast and line control of a floating line.
- Sinking linealso Full sinking line, Full sinkA sinking line is a fly line built to sink below the surface so you can fish deeper without adding as much weight.
Indicators & weight (3)
- Sighteralso Euro sighter, sighter section, bi-color sighterA sighter is a short, high-visibility section built into a leader, used to track drift and detect strikes by watching the leader instead of a floating indicator.
- Split shotalso shot, pinch-on weight, split-shot weightSplit shot are small, pinch-on lead or non-lead weights added to a leader to make a nymph rig sink faster and track deeper.
- Strike indicatoralso bobber, nymph indicator, float indicatorA strike indicator is a small float or marker on the leader that shows takes and depth while nymphing. It moves, stalls, dips, or shoots sideways when the flies get bumped or eaten.
Leaders & tippet (5)
- Fluorocarbonalso Fluoro, Fluorocarbon tippet, Fluorocarbon leaderFluorocarbon is a clear leader or tippet material made from PVDF. It sinks more readily than nylon and is valued for abrasion resistance.
- Leaderalso Fly leader, Tapered leaderThe leader is the clear, tapered line between the fly line and the fly. It turns the fly over and gives you a clean, controlled presentation.
- Tapered leaderalso tapered monofilament leader, knotless leader, knotless tapered leaderA tapered leader is a pre-built leader that gets thinner from the fly line end to the tippet end. The taper helps transfer energy from the cast so the fly turns over and lands with less splash.
- Tippetalso Tippet materialTippet is the thin, level line tied to the end of your leader. It’s the section you cut back and replace as you change flies and re-tie knots.
- Tippet ringalso leader ringA tippet ring is a tiny metal ring tied to the end of a leader so you can add and replace tippet without shortening the leader.
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.
Reels (1)
Rods (3)
- Fly rodalso fly fishing rodA fly rod is a flexible rod built to cast the weight of a fly line, not the weight of the fly. Its line weight rating and action determine how it loads, casts, and fights fish.
- Spey rodA Spey rod is a two-handed fly rod built for Spey casting, using a long rod and a water-anchored cast to deliver flies with less backcast room.
- Switch rodalso switch rod fly rod, switch rod fly fishing, short Spey rodA switch rod is a short two-handed fly rod meant to be cast with one or two hands, often using Spey-style casts in tight quarters.
Sunglasses & sun protection (2)
- Polarized sunglassesalso polaroid sunglasses, polarized glasses, polarized fishing sunglassesSunglasses with a polarizing filter that cuts surface glare so you can see into the water and reduce eye strain.
- Sun glovesalso UV gloves, sun fishing gloves, sun protection gloves, fingerless sun glovesSun gloves are lightweight, quick-drying gloves that cover your hands for UV protection while still letting you cast, strip line, and handle fish.
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.