dry fly

American  

noun

Angling.

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

---

dry fly British  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of dry fly

First recorded in 1840–50

Compare meaning

How does dry-fly compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dry fly vs. wet fly

Example Sentences

Catching trout with a dry fly is one of fly-fishing’s great satisfactions.

From Washington Post • Aug. 13, 2022

For a fly angler, it’s hard to express the excitement of a large trout taking a large dry fly.

From Washington Post • Sep. 16, 2021

He caught 10 small but eager rainbows on a dry fly version of the Coch-y-bondu, one every few casts.

From Washington Times • Aug. 15, 2015

For most trout enthusiasts, dry fly fishing represents the pinnacle of the pastime.

From New York Times • May 11, 2013

But even though it was abominable to take a trout on anything except a dry fly, he couldn't have done otherwise.

From The Black Fawn by Kjelgaard, James Arthur