School of FlyFishing
Indoor Course: "Fly Lines"
Glossary of Terms
This glossary is a compilation of terms used in the Fly Lines School of FlyFishing Indoor Course. To review a more comprehensive glossary of many of the terms used throughout all 10 Indoor Courses, go to our School Library; it contains the glossary, a section on recommended books on fly fishing, and some search components.
In association with
| backing | a thin, braided material, usually 20-30 lbs. test braided "dacron" or "micron", that is put first on a fly reel using the "Arbor Knot" to "back" the fly line to which it is attached | Line & backing |
| casting stroke | the complete cycle of casting the fly line using the backcast and forward cast | Casting |
| class | term used to identify various sink rates for sinking fly lines; e.g., "class II", "class IV", etc. | Defining classification |
| compensated | describes a sinking fly line that has at least two different line densities (sink rates) to assist it to sink in a straight/uniform line | Sinking rates |
| core | refers to the interior substance of a fly line; "line core" | Components |
| density | term referring to the sinking rate properties of fly lines | Sinking rates |
| double taper | type of fly line that has a taper at both ends | Fly line taper |
| false cast | a completed casting stroke that does not result in the fly line being released by the caster; an "interim" casting cycle that takes place only in the air | Components |
| floating lines | fly lines which float on top of or just in the water's surface film | Fly line use |
| forward cast | that stage of a flycasting stroke that is on a forward plane in front of the caster | |
| head(s) | a separate section of fly line, generally 30' long, that connects to the running line with a connecting loop; e.g., shooting heads | Features |
| hinge | describes the effect of the imbalance caused when the connection of materials are too different in diameter or strength to support a cast | Leaders |
| interlocking loop(s) | the connection formed by union of two lines each with a loop in the end; functional for connecting leaders, tippets, lines, etc. (also called "handshake loop") | Line features |
| leader | the tapered section of monofilament between fly line and fly | Leaders |
| line speed | refers to the velocity of the fly line in the air as it is being cast | Line uses |
| line weight | term to classify fly lines by the weight of the first 30 feet | Line weight |
| load (loading) | refers to the process of "cocking" a fly rod with the fly line by the application of the casting stroke | Line features |
| memory | the undesirable property of fly lines, leaders or materials to "remember" their stored condition of being coiled or wound | Components |
| mend | the practice of changing the position of the fly line on the water to minimize the effects of drag | Fly line use |
| roll cast | a type of fly cast that employs a shortened casting stroke performed in a rolling over motion | Fly line use |
| running line | that portion of the fly line between the backing and the first 60' or so that is actually cast upon the water | Fly line taper |
| shooting head | a separate segment of fly line, usually about 30' in length, that is attached to the running line | Fly line taper |
| shooting line | in casting, refers to the technique of adding distance to a flycast by increasing line speed; also used to describe a type of line material used for such purpose | Fly line taper |
| sinking lines | fly lines which sink below the water's surface | Sinking lines |
| sinking tip | fly lines which have a front portion ("tip") which sinks followed by the rest of the line which floats | Sinking lines |
| spool capacity | the amount of line (fly line & backing) a reel's spool may contain; usually gauged by using a weight forward line & 20# backing | Line features |
| still water | slang for lakes or ponds, etc.; as opposed to "running water" of streams or rivers | Fly line use |
| taper | refers to the principle or process of the transition of materials (rods, fly lines, leaders) from thicker to thinner, or heavier to lighter, in a manner that allows a smooth transfer of energy between components | Fly line taper |
| tippet | term for the tip/end section of the leader that is tied to a fly | Fly line use |
| turn over | refers to the proper result of a flycast that turns the leader and attached fly over the fly line at the end of a cast | Fly line taper |
| weight | term used to classify fly lines based upon how much the first 30 feet of the "working portion" of the line weighs in "grains | Line weight |
| weight forward | type of fly line that has the taper toward the front of the line | Fly line taper |