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Let's start with this, when you are stringing
up your fly rod fold the line, the fly-line in
a small loop about six inches from the leader
knot and push the loop up through the guides
and out the tip-top. If you drop the loop it will
hang up in the guides and you won't look like a
jerk trying to re-string the thing.
Notice it's the 'tip-top,' not tippy-top, or 'thingy
on the end.' It is definitely not the 'tippet.' That's
the piece of monofilament on the end of your leader.
And it's a rod, a fly rod, not a pole or a fly-pole.
Little things can mean a lot. While I'm at it, how
about this?
There seems to be some confusion between the words
'strippers' and 'stripers.' A guy can look pretty
silly if he gets them wrong. This may help so you
don't fall into the trap. Strippers are folks who
remove articles of clothing. If you look real closely
at the letters in the word between the 'i' and the
'e' you may get a visual reminder so you will spell
it correctly in the future, maybe forever. Stripers
(only one letter between the i and e) is a fish with
stripes.
Another word has a similar problem. 'Woolly.' As in
'woolly-bugger.' Notice the 'oo' and 'll' in the word.
Two of each. Woolly-bugger and woolly-worm each have
two words; 'woolly' has two of each letter. Makes
it easy to remember.
To continue, the column of bones in your back is your
spine, right? Ok, the thing that gives a fly rod its
support is called the same, the stiffest part of a rod
section. It's the side you search for when you put on
the guides. It's 'spine,' not 'spline.' What is 'spline,'
you ask? Those are the little strips of bamboo that get
bound together to make up a cane fly rod. They are called
'splines.' Hang in there, this is easy.
Don't bother to correct guys who say 'neopreMe' any more.
Once they get used to saying it that way, there is not
much help. We know it is 'neopreNe,' but it is a thankless
endeavor. I would like to help you with 'fluorocarbon,'
but it continues to show up as 'flourocarbon,' maybe
someday they will change how it should be spelled.
In the old days everyone got all hot-and-bothered by
someone spelling the fly attaching knot 'turle'
incorrectly. Many called it a 'turtle knot.' Nearly
started some fights back then. Don't forget it's
'Clinch' knot, not 'Cinch' knot too.
Finally, there is the dreaded 'tailing-loop.' The cast
which produces a knot in your leader. I have heard it
also called a 'trailing-loop. I think this is not correct.
I am sure there are more, these are just a few of
the common ones. Hope this helps you get some of
them right. ~ James Castwell
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