... Aussiefly's Dictionary of fly fishing terms

Fly Fishing Glossary
This is a every growing list of Terms used in Fly Fishing, feel free to add to the list by contacting Uncle Barry

B
Backcast - that portion of any fly cast that extends behind the caster (as in false casting)
Backing - usually braided dacron,braid,nylon or the new polypropylene used to take up space on the spool before the fly line is attached
Baetis - widely distributed genus of mayflies, in USA and Europe ,typically found in sizes 16 to 22
Bag limit - the number of fish you may keep legally
Bamboo - oldest rod building material still in use
Barrel Knot - same as blood knot
Bass Bug - name used to describe a large number of surface bass flies usually tied with hollow hair such as deer hair
Bass Bug Taper - a special weight forward floating fly line with a short front taper so that the generally wind-resistant bass bugs can turn over
Bead head - a nymph with a metal bead that is placed on the hook, adds weight and colour
Beat - Term used to describe an area of waterside bank on either a river or stillwater lake or a area where the fish cruses, around and around
Bimini Twist - A series of knots and twists in a leader which acts as a springy shock absorber in the line
Biot - The short thick barbs from the leading edge of the first flight feather typically from a goose or a duck Used to simulate tails, legs, antennae and other parts
Blood Knot - the most widely used knot for tying two pieces of monofilament with similar diameters together; the best knot for construction of a knotted tapered leader; also called the barrel knot
Bob fly - the fly that is nearest to the caster, which skims across the water
Bobbin holder - a tyer's tool for holding thread
Body - the main part of the fly, that covers the shank
Booby - a fly with polystyrene beads that form the head, used on a sinking line
Breaking Strength, amount of effort required to break a single strand of unknotted monofilament or braided line, usually stated in pounds, example: 6 lb. test- the manufacturer's estimate of the dry breaking strain of the line
Bucktail - (1) the hair found on the tail of the Eastern whitetail deer, used in the tying of many types of flies; can be dyed any color, or used natural
(2) a type of minnow simulating fly, usually constructed of bucktail
Dubbing - material that is applied to the hooks shank, can be with the aid of a sticky wax or as a rope type with the use of a dubbing spinning tool
Butt - a small wrap of herl or silk in front of the tag, normally on salmon flies
Buzzer - common term used to describe Chronomid flies, midges and gnats that hover over the surface of all water..