Whether your a beginning angler trying to learn the intricacies of the sport or you have a fly fishing addict for a partner and want to understand what they are talking about, the following list is designed to give you insight into the wonderful world of fly fishing.

A

Angler- a fisherman or fisherwoman.

B

Backcast- The act of casting when the angler brings the rod to the 1 O’clock position to fling the line behind them and usually letting more line out.

C

Caddis- An aquatic insect found in most rivers around the world.

Carp- Considered the freshwater Bonefish because of it’s fighting power and flats style habitat.

D

Double Haul- A method of casting in which the angler pulls on the line during the backcast and frontcast to speed up the line and achieve a longer cast.

Drift Boat- A wooden boat used to “drift” down the river.  Also know as a McKenzie boat or Dory.

Dry Fly- A fly that stays on the surface of the water
E

Estuaries- The area where a river flows into the ocean where there is a mix of salt and freshwater, typically very rich with marine life.

F

False Cast- The act of casting when the fly line is in the air and the angler is letting more and more line out.

G

Giant Tarpon- A prehistoric looking saltwater fish that typically weighs 100-200 pounds.

H

Hatch- The act of insects coming off the water into the air in large numbers.

Henry’s Fork- Legendary Western River know for some of the best dry-fly fishing in the world located in Idaho.

I

Indicator- a “bober” like fly fishing accessory that shows when a wet fly is being eaten underneath the water.

J

Jacks- A large family of saltwater fish with the Permit being it’s most familiar member.

K

Knots- Used to attach the leader to the line, and the fly to the leader. Typical knots used in fly fishing are: blood, surgeons,and Bimini.

L

Lunker- An absurdly large fish that most anglers will describe as “the one that got away”.

Leader- A tapering piece of mono-filament that runs from the fly line (thickest) to the fly (thinnest).

M

Mending- The act of throwing slack in your line to achieve a drag free drift.

N

Nymph- An aquatic insect in it’s early stages of life, a subsurface insect.

O

Orvis- A well known fly-fishing company based out of Vermont that makes clothing and fly-fishing gear.

P

Pig- An oversize fish that anglers dream about and rarely catch.

Presentation- The act of laying down the cast on the water in a way to best entice the fish.

R

Roll Cast- With the line extended out on the water, the angler raises the rods and flicks it down and forward to create a loops transferring down the line and shoots the fly forward. Used when a backcast is unavailable.

Rooster Fish- A large saltwater fish with fins that look like a Rooster.

S

Spey Rod- A very long rod that casts in a way that eliminates the back cast.

Spring Creek- A Creek that is fed by underground springs usually keeping consistent year round water temperatures suitable for Trout.

Streamer- A fly that often imitates a minnow or leach.

Stripping- The act of pulling a wet fly through the water by grabbing the line just above the reel and pulling in back and repeating the motion until the fly is back to the angler.

T

Tippet- Additional mono-filament added to the end of the leader to lengthen and extend the life of the leader.

U

Umpqua- Company that makes very high-quality flies.

W

Waders- A somewhat ugly but necessary article of clothing that covers the feet to the chest and keeps the angler dry.

Wet Fly- A fly that sinks beneath the water surface.

Y

Yampa River- Located in Northern Colorado with sections that are excellent for Trout and lower down for Pike.