W

Waders
Protective outer clothing used to keep the fisherman dry when standing or float-tubing in water. Typically made of neoprene, nylon, or a Goretex-like material. Can be insulated to supply warmth.

Wading staff
A walking stick used to assist an angler while wading

Wax
Solid or liquid wax is rubbed on the tying thread to help bind the materials firmly or to darken the natural tying silk.

Web
The discoloured, meshed portion of a hackle close to the stem

Weight forward fly line
A type of fly line that tapers down quickly, after about 30 feet of a thicker, heavier head, to a thin running line that is the rest of the length of line. Abbreviated (WF). Weight forward lines are best for newcomers because they cast and shoot easily: With the weight up front, it takes much less effort to cast longer lengths of line.

Wet Fly
An artificial fly tied to attract fish below the surface..

Whip Finish
A knot used to tie off the thread when finishing a fly.

Whip Finishing Tool
A tool designed to make whip finishing quick and easy.

Whip Varnish
A method of securing the tying thread at the head of the finished fly. Two or three turns of tying thread are wrapped round the end of the thread and the shank before the end is passed through and pulled tight.

Wings
The style and set of the wings varies with the type of fly. The styles most commonly tied are:

Advance wing: A single or split wing tied forward slanting over the eye of the hook.

Bunch wing: A wing made from a bunch of feather fibres and tied in the manner required.

Double split wing: Two sets of wings made by taking two sections from a pair of matched wing quills and tying them with the tips pointing outwards. The second set of wings is less than half the size of the main forewings.

Down wing: Tied low over the back, usually to imitate sedges and stoneflies.

Fan-wing: Two small breast feathers tied curving outwards. Popular on Mayfly patterns.

Hackle-fibre wing: The same as a bunch wing.

Hackle-point wing: The tips of cock hackles used as the wings of adult flies.

Hair wing: Natural or dyed animal hair is used for wings on lures, dry and wet flies.

Herl wing: The herl from some feathers occasionally used for winging. Peacock herl is the most common.

Wet fly wing: A wing sloping back over the body, not quite flat but at a slight angle.