dry fly

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dry′ fly′, [Angling.]

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

• 1840–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dry fly noun

1. an artificial fly designed and prepared to be floated or skimmed on the surface of the water
2. (as modifier): dry-fly fishing

Compare wet fly