F

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

Federation of Fly Fishers
A non-profit organization dedicated to teaching the sport of fly fishing and the improvement of fisheries

Ferrule
The joints that connect the sections of a multipieced fly rod. They are designed to hold your rod firmly together but are easily separated to put the rod away.

Fibres
Individual filaments of feather, hair, or fur.

Fine
Measurement relating to smallest width of tinsel; relative measurement with reference to amount.

Fishair
Synthetic hair used as a replacement for bucktail. Very durable, with a large variety of colors available.

Fishermanwise
Refers to fish that have been conditioned to fishermen and are therefore harder to catch Leaders 205

Fish On
What you should yell whilst fishing in a crowded situation, when a fish takes your fly. This will enable your neighbouring anglers to withdraw their lines. (Or just bug them and make them jealous)

Flashabou or Flashibou
A metallised plastic mobile material, suitable for supplementing a winging material or as a shell back.

Flatwared Nylon
Good heavy thread. Lays flat

Flex
Used to describe rod action

Flexi-Tail Lures
Also known as Waggy Lures, these are standard patterns that incorporate a flexible plastic tail tied in at the rear of the body. Many lures and nymphs can be adapted. The tails come in a variety of colours, some transparent, others fluorescent.

Flexibody
A soft, translucent, flexible body material to be cut to shape and wound.

Floatant
Any substance applied to a fly, fly line or leader to promote its ability to float

Float tube
Inflatable device used by single fly fisherman to floatfish in lakes; also called "belly boat"

Floating fly
An artificial fly designed to float on the water’s surface. Floating flies are effective in warmer months when aquatic insects and terrestrials are most active on the water’s surface. Also known as a dry fly.

Floating fly line
A fly line that floats on the water’s surface for its entire length. Abbreviated (F). Most anglers use a floating line as their basic fly line, and newcomers to fly fishing should use this line when learning the basics. This is the most versatile fly line, because it’s not limited to just floating flies. Using weighted leaders, floating fly lines can be used to fish with wet flies, which naturally sink.

Floss
A natural or synthetic body material, also available in fluorescent colours.

Flue
Barb of filament or herl from peacock or ostrich.

Flybody Fur
A synthetic seal's fur substitute.

Fluorescence
Fluorescent materials reflect their own colour under conditions of ultra-violet light, ex: in the hours of daylight. Trout flies incorporating fluorescing materials sometimes prove especially attractive to trout. Even when fished fairly deep, patterns tied with fluorescing materials will reflect ultra-violet light and be more visible than normal materials. Two terms applied to these materials are DRF and DFM which stand for depth-ray-fire and daylight fluorescent material respectively. These materials can be mixed with fur, chenille, wool, herls, hackle fibres for wings, and horsehair. Fluorescent hackles, seal's fur, chenille, wool, and floss and marabou herls are available. One of the secrets of using these materials in imitating natural flies is not to over-use them but to used just sufficient to add interest to the pattern and not deter fish.

Fly dressing
Category of substances used to "dress" flies to enhance flotation (also called floatant); or to make them sink; also included are fly line dressings for similar purposes

Fly boxes
Boxes used to hold flies; from sizes to fit vest pockets, to "tackle box" size for large/big water flies

Fly fishing
The longstanding practice of attempting to catch fish with an almost weightless, artificial element known as a fly. It is the oldest known form of sport fishing.

Fly reel
The fishing reel used by fly fishermen

Fly rod
Fishing rod used by fly fishermen

Forceps
Also called "hemostat"; a slender, pointed pliers-like device with multi-purpose use for fly fishermen

Forward cast
The third step of the basic pick up lay down cast. It follows the back cast and is formed by bringing the casting hand and arm back forward to eye level. This part of the basic cast ends with a forward wrist snap.

Franze
Rayon based floss body material laced with metallic fibers, used for leech bodies, woolly buggers.

Frostbite
Plastic translucent braid used for nymphs, streamers, and salmon bodies.

Fur
Many natural animal furs are used for the bodies of flies. Exotic and domestic animals and household pets are all used in the search for a particular colour shade.