Definition

Noun 1. A type of insect: A soft-bodied insect similar to but smaller than a dobsonfly. Its larvae (immature stage) are commonly used by anglers as fishing bait.

Usage Notes

• The term "fish-fly" is a compound noun. It is used specifically in the context of entomology (the study of insects) and fishing.
• It refers to the adult insect, but its primary economic or practical importance is often related to its larval form as bait.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Anglers know that a fish-fly hatch can mean great fishing, as trout rise to feed on them.
  • The fish-fly is attracted to lights near the water at night.
  • He collected fish-fly larvae from the muddy riverbank to use for bait.

Advanced Usage

• The presence of fish-flies is often an indicator of good water quality, as their larvae require clean, well-oxygenated water to survive.

Variants and Related Words

• Fishfly: An alternative, single-word spelling for "fish-fly".
• Dobsonfly: A larger, related insect in the same order (Megaloptera).
• Hellgrammite: The name for the aquatic larval stage of both the dobsonfly and the fish-fly, commonly used as bait.

Synonyms

• Neuropteran (broad scientific category): An insect of the order Neuroptera or Megaloptera, which includes lacewings, antlions, dobsonflies, and fish-flies. (Note: This is a more general, technical term.)

Different Meanings

• The term "fish-fly" has a very specific zoological meaning and is not commonly used in other contexts. It does not refer to a fly that is a fish or a flying fish.

Noun

1. similar to but smaller than the dobsonfly; larvae are used as fishing bait