Cortland Fly Lines

Cortland Line Company was founded in 1915 in Cortland, New York, by Ray Smith, who leveraged his textile expertise to create braided silk fishing lines. During World War II, Cortland shifted production to support the war effort—manufacturing parachute and bomb cords—then applied those techniques post-war to elevate braided line quality. In 1953, Cortland revolutionized the industry by introducing the 333 fly line series, the first PVC-coated braided nylon line that floated without frequent maintenance. In 1962, they launched the iconic 444 series, celebrated for its supple, glass-smooth taper and precision casting control. In the late 1960s and 1970s, Cortland expanded into backing material with its now-standard Micron line and responded to evolving fly rod speeds by releasing the long-casting 444SL in 1979. The 1990s brought high-tech innovations like the 444 Lazerline and a variety of specialty lines, culminating in multiple "Line of the Millennium" awards by the early 2000s.

Today, Cortland continues to design and hand-inspect all their fly lines and braid products in their Cortland, NY facility.

To care for your Cortland fly line, clean it regularly with Cortland's fly line cleaner and a cloth, focusing on rinsing the line off after fishing to remove dirt and algae. Store your reel with the line on it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, high heat, and damaging solvents found in some insect repellents and sunscreens. Additionally, stretch the line periodically and inspect it for damage to ensure its longevity.