# 2 Fly Fishing terms

Fly Fishing Terms: Decoding the Strange Language of Fly Fishing

 In the previous article I talked about overviews of fly fishing and learning to fly fish for the first time. Today I’m going to focus on a few of the pillars of basic knowledge in reference to “Fly Fishing Terms” so we can learn the fly-fishing basics and speak the same language.

 Many times, I watch people that are new to the sport trying to follow a conversation when a more experienced fisherman is talking. You can almost see the newbie with a look of a “dogs watching T.V on their faces.” they have no clue as to the topics, or terminology or language, (what language are they speaking)?. Well, you’re in luck, no longer will you be left out of a conversations, because we are going to demystify this, and in no time, you will be in the thick of the conversation, spouting facts about weight forward lines, and tapered leaders with the best of them.

Well let’s not dwell too much about this right now, because over the next few minutes I will dazzle you with the terminology you will need to get you started on the road to learning to fly fish, casting that fly rod and hooking that first fish on your very own. Believe me when I tell you that you will never forget that first fish experience. You can ask any fisherman and they will happily recount their first time, pay close attention to that glazed over-look in their eyes as they speak about that experience.

Okay enough chit chat, let’s get to terms:

 As a definition a fly rod: A lightweight, versatile fishing tool specifically designed for fly fishing. With a length of around 7 1/2 to 9 feet. It provides excellent casting power, accuracy and control, making it suitable for various fishing scenarios. The rod's construction typically involves high-quality materials such as graphite or carbon fiber, ensuring a perfect balance between strength and sensitivity. It features a precise action, allowing anglers to cast delicate flies with finesse while still providing the backbone to handle larger fish.

In relation to a spin casting rod, both rods are designed basically the same. Both are constructed in a long and tapered fashion, and both serve the same function to throw, or propel a weight, (In the case of the spinning rod), it is the weight of a lure you are casting, with a fly rod it is the weight of the line, (I’ll talk more about this when I cover casting).

 Next is the fly reel: it is a compact, lightweight reel designed specifically for fly fishing. It features a smooth drag system, durable construction, and a large arbor design to facilitate quick line retrieval. If you have ever gone into a fly-fishing shop and looked in the case at the fly reels, you will see a rainbow of colors, and sizes? What do they all do and why are they different, and why so many choices?

Today there are so many to choose from when it comes to selecting a reel, machined aluminum, cast aluminum, high impact plastic, and the list goes on, and on! It can make your head spin with all the choices, but let’s just keep it simple. For the time being, a reel will perform two things:

1. It will hold the fly line on the reel and allow you to reel it up.

2.  It will provide drag when you need it to slow down a fighting fish.

3.  So, for now let’s just use this as our starting point when it comes to a fly reel.

I’m going to add a footnote to the reel discussion and include backing. Backing is a bulk low-cost line material that is used to fill the reel with volume and to act as a back-up system in the event that your fish peels of all 90 ft. of your fly line, now you have the backing as a “backup” and the ability to roll everything back onto the reel, so you can land your fish.

Next up for discussion is the fly line which is a crucial component in fly fishing, designed to facilitate accurate and controlled casting. It typically consists of a braided core coated with a plastic or PVC layer. The line's weight, measured in grains, which we refer to as the line weight, (we will go down this rabbit hole in a later post).

Line weight determines its performance and is how it is matched to the fly rod. Your Fly rod will have a Specific line weight written somewere near the handle, something like

(9' 4WT.) This means a 9 ft. rod for a 4 weight line.

Lines come in different shapes (AKA) tapers, such as weight-forward or double-taper, level and so on, these different tapers or shapes allow the anglers to tailor their presentations to different fishing conditions and species they are tafgeting.

A fly line's design ensures smooth casting, line control, and efficient delivery of a fly rods power/energy to the fly.

If you want an example of how a fly line works, think of a bull whip. (I think all kids will remember a whip fondly or not). A whip’s construction and operation are very similar to a fly line. A whip has a large handle, and over the next 6-8 ft it gradually tappers to a point. This is how fly lines are constructed, they have a larger body, just like the handle of the whip, then there is the tapered section, just like the long-tapered section of the whip, and finally coming to the small tip section. If you are casting and you make a bad cast, you will hear the Same “crack” as the whip, only difference is this “crack” will cost you $2.50 because you just sent your fly into orbit! That crack you hear is a small sonic boom.

So, when you hear the conversation about fly lines, and your friends are talking about double tapper or weight forward lines, just think back to our example of a bull whips design and in no time, you are right there in the thick of the discussion about fly lines.

Here is a list to help break down the different types and styles of lines. This will either help you or confuse you, don’t worry more to come in discussing fly lines, I promise.

Fly lines come in various types and designs and even colors to suit different fishing conditions and techniques. Here are some common types of fly lines:

1. Weight Forward (WF) Line: This is one the most popular and versatile type of fly line. It has a tapered design with most of the weight concentrated in the forward section. WF lines are great for casting accuracy and distance and are suitable for a wide range of fishing situations.

2. Double Taper (DT) Line: DT lines have a uniform diameter throughout most of their length, with both ends tapering gradually. They offer delicate presentations and are often preferred for fishing in smaller streams and for precise casting at shorter distances.

3. Shooting Taper (ST) Line: These lines are designed for maximum distance casting. They have an extra-long and thin front taper, allowing for greater line speed and longer casts. ST lines are commonly used in saltwater or when fishing for species that require long-distance presentations.

4. Sink-Tip Line: Sink-tip lines feature a sinking front section (usually 10-30 feet) followed by a floating running line. They are ideal for fishing in shallow or intermediate-depth waters where you need to get the fly below the surface while maintaining control over the floating portion.

5. Full-Sinking Line: As the name suggests, these lines sink entirely beneath the water's surface. They are used for fishing deep water or when you want to fish at specific depths. Full-sinking lines are rated by their sink rates, which indicate how fast they descend in the water.

6. Floating Line: Floating lines are designed to stay on the water's surface, allowing you to present dry flies, nymphs, and other surface imitations. They are versatile and suitable for various fishing conditions, especially when targeting fish that feed on or near the surface.

Within each category, choosing the right fly line depends on the fishing technique, target species. These are just a few examples of fly line types, and there are variations and combinations to address various water conditions, and personal preferences.

Next up is the leader: A fly fishing leader is a tapered section of monofilament or fluorocarbon line that connects the fly line. Typically, around 7 to 9 or even 12 feet long, the leader plays a vital role in fly fishing by providing a gradual transition between the thicker fly line and the delicate fly. Think back to our discussion of the bull whip and its tapered design, the leader is just a continuation of this design. The tapered design helps with accurate presentations, and turnover, (turnover is refereeing to the ability of the line and leader to unroll just like the bull whip as it goes forward) and reducing the visibility of the line. Leaders come in various sizes, with different breaking strengths and tapers to match the fishing conditions and target species. They can be pre-made or custom-built by anglers based on their preferences and fishing situations. Generally, most leaders are store bought and can cost upwards of $6 to $9 each. You want to be able to get the most out of your purchase, so this is the reason we attach a “tippet” section to the end of your leader

.

A fly-fishing tippet: is the final connection in our bull whip example. This is the thin section of line attached to the end of the leader. It is typically made of monofilament or fluorocarbon material and serves multiple purposes. The tippet provides a smooth and nearly invisible connection between the leader and the fly, allowing for delicate presentations and reducing the risk of spooking fish. It also acts as the sacrificial part of the setup, easily replaced if damaged or worn. Tippet sizes are denoted by X (e.g., 4X, 5X) and indicate the diameter and breaking strength.  In the beginning everyone will struggle with tippet diameters, I’ll be honest it is confusing. Why would you use a smaller number to label a larger line? So, here’s a cheat code:

·        The larger the X number, the smaller the diameter of the line.

·        The smaller the X number the bigger the diameter of the line.

(I will have more information to come regarding tippets, so stay seated for now)

So, if you see for example 7x tippet, just remember that it is a very small line about .004 in diameter, with a breaking strength of about 2.5 lbs. and is used for really small flies. (Remember human hair is about .001 in dia.)

When you see 2x tippet, just remember that it’s very thick, about .009 in diameter, with a breaking strength of about 11 ½ lbs. and will be used for very large flies.

Monofilament and fluorocarbon are two common materials used for fly fishing tippets, and each has its own characteristics and advantages.

Monofilament tippets are made from a single strand of nylon material. They are generally less expensive compared to fluorocarbon and have higher knot strength, making them easier to work with when tying knots. Monofilament tippets also have a higher stretch, which can be beneficial in situations where shock absorption is needed, such as when fighting larger fish. However, they tend to be more visible in the water due to their refractive properties, as well as float on top of the water.

Fluorocarbon tippets, on the other hand, are made from a denser and less visible material. They have a refractive index closer to that of water, making them nearly invisible underwater. Fluorocarbon tippets also have lower stretch, which allows for better sensitivity and direct connection to the fly. Flourocarbon material is more dense so it sinks in water. They are known for their higher abrasion resistance and are less prone to deterioration in sunlight and water. However, fluorocarbon tippets are generally more expensive than monofilament.

The choice between monofilament and fluorocarbon tippets depends on various factors such as the fishing situation, water clarity, target species, and personal preference.

Many anglers use a combination of both materials, utilizing fluorocarbon for low visibility underwater, and monofilament for the tapered leader section of the fly line.

I know that you have just read quite a lot of information and some of it is difficult to digest but trust me when I say over the coming days you will begin to get a clearer picture of all this and over time will become second nature to you as well.

Have fun and tight lines.

Gary, AKA LaMachine

As always Feel free to hit me up with any questions or comments