dry fly

noun

, Angling.

1. an artificial fly designed for use on the surface of the water.

dry fly

noun

1. angling Compare wet fly
   1. an artificial fly designed and prepared to be floated or skimmed on the surface of the water
   2. ( as modifier )

      dry-fly fishing

Word History and Origins

Origin of dry fly¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

I must not forget to mention dry-fly fishing, which is particularly suitable for women.

From Project Gutenberg

There was none could coax a trout from a glass-clear pool with a dry fly like Alan Campbell.

From Project Gutenberg

Outside a dry-fly rasped the brooding silence up and down with its fret-saw refrain.

From Project Gutenberg

But none of the old anglers, to my knowledge, was a dry-fly fisher, and Izaak was no fly-fisher at all.

From Project Gutenberg

Our ancestors, though they did not fish with the dry fly, were intent on imitating the insect on the water.

From Project Gutenberg