10 Weird Things You Hear During Fly Fishing Season

By Debbie Hanson

Jun 05, 2016

Ever think that fly anglers seem to speak their own weird language during fly fishing season? Learn a few fly fishing terms and what they mean by reading this!

When fly fishing season opens, whether it be for trout or any other species, you will hear fly anglers use terminology that probably sounds a bit strange if you are new to the world of fly fishing. Fly fishing is fun and can be easy to learn, so don't let a few unfamiliar fishing terms intimidate you. Read through some of what may be the weirdest fly fishing terms, then get outdoors to try fly fishing a local lake, river or stream near you.

Unique Fly Fishing Terms

1. False Cast. Casting the fly line forward and back in the air as a way of lengthening the amount of line that extends out from your fly rod or to change the direction of your cast.

2. Double Haul. Term used for the cast where you quickly pull and release the line on both the back cast and the forward cast. A double haul is used to create greater line speed, which can increase casting distance or cut through wind.

3. Loading. Loading is the effect of the weight of the fly line on your fly rod based on rod tip position and momentum of the cast. Position of the rod tip is important when loading your fly rod in order to get your line to lie out flat after the final forward cast.

4. Tippet. The tippet is the lightweight section of leader material that you attach to the end of the leader and on the other end to the fly.  

5. Marabou. Marabou is describes a certain type of down feather trimming that is often used when tying flies for fly fishing season. Originally, the feathers were named after the down or feathers from the marabou stork. Today the term is used to refer to fly tying feathers from turkeys and chickens as well.

6. Dry fly. A dry fly is a fly that has been made to float on the top of the water.

7. Hackle. Feathers, usually from the neck area of a chicken, that can be dyed any color and used to tie flies.

8. Bobbin. A bobbin is a fly tying tool that holds the thread used to tie a fly. 

9. Stripping. Bringing in or retrieving a fly line with a series of short or varied pulls so as to simulate the movement of a living insect or baitfish. Stripping can also involve movements of the fly rod tip.

10. Loop to loop. A fly line connection that is used to attach your fly leader to your fly line. This connection is made using a Perfection Loop Knot at the end of a fly line, then connecting it to a Perfection Loop in your leader.

Now that you know a little more about the language of fly fishing season, take a few minutes to learn about the different types of fly fishing rods and other gear you will need to be a successful fly angler.
 
Debbie Hanson
Debbie Hanson
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.