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An angler with his back turned, fly fishing in a shallow river.

A Crash Course in Competitive Fly Fishing

Article Written by Mike Komara. Learn More About the Author Below / Article Read Time 6 Minutes Competitive fly fishing has rapidly become a bigger part...

A hand holding up the bottom of a fly rod. The fly line is neon green, yellow, and red. There is water in the background.

Embracing the Thrill of Fly Fishing for Bass: A Beginner's Perspective

Article Written by Dan Atkinson. Learn More About the author below / Article Read Time: 5 Minutes Fly fishing possesses a unique allure, drawing you into...

Brooks fly fishing on the salmon river. He is standing in knee high water and is about to cast his line out

Full Swing on the Salmon River

Article Written by Brooks Robinson. Learn More About the author below / Article Read Time: 5 Minutes Every year the anticipation for salmon season is high...

Two anglers holding up two large striped bass that they caught, they are on a boat with blue water in the background

The Art of Teasing for Striped Bass

Article Written by Paul Dixon. Learn More About the author below / Article Read Time: 7 Minutes I turned to my client and said, “Are you...

Tarpon jumping out of the water

Stepping Up To The Plate With Tarpon

The magic of chasing tarpon with fly tackle was popularized and continues to be refined in the transparent Florida Keys’ waters. Even the most experienced...

Two individuals flats fishing off a boat

Flats Fishing for Striped Bass

The beauty of fly fishing for Striped Bass in the Northeast is the variety of environments you get to target them in. Flats fishing is...

Bass with a lure in its mouth

Introduction to Fly Fishing for Bass

Largemouth Bass have a stigma surrounding them that they are easy to catch. While this may be true in some places, to truly achieve next...

Three fishermen on a boat getting ready to dry fly fish

Ultra Premium Dry Fly Tactics

From time to time, I hear the misconception that fluorocarbon tippet cannot be used for dry fly fishing because of its inability to float. While...

Man standing in a river fly fishing

Fly Fishing Paradise in Southwest Colorado

High Country in the Uncompahgre National Forest Colorado is known for its dramatic mountain scenery, cold and clean rivers, and world class trout fishing. Ridgway,...

Skyline view of a bridge from Raritan Bay

Springtime Fly Fishing For Striped Bass

Get an inside look into one of the best Striped Bass Fisheries in the Northeast from one of the most premiere guides in the area,...

Fisherman biting his fly fishing tippet line to tighten it

How Top Secret Tippet Changed the Game

Cortland's Top Secret Fly Fishing Tippet is superior in all sizes but the smaller diameter sizes like 4x-6x are really what shine for us in...

New Cortland Products for 2023

New Cortland Products for 2023

To kick this new year off right, we are excited to announce some new products that have been in the works for some time now....

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Hooked The Podcast

Explore Expert Fly Fishing Content on Cortland Stories

Cortland Line’s blog—Cortland Stories—is a rich, evolving library of fishing knowledge designed to educate, inspire, and connect anglers at every level. The articles cover everything from technical deep dives like Streamer Fishing: Fly Lines and Leader Setups, which compares floating versus sinking lines, to hands-on maintenance tips such as 2 Preseason Preparation Tips for Fly Line Maintenance. Thoughtful features like Neutral Density Fly Lines Explained with Chico Fernández to help demystify intermediate lines, while narrative pieces like You’ve Been Warned take readers into the remote waters of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The blog also explores industry insights, product highlights, and the personal experiences of seasoned professionals, making it a go-to destination for anglers who want more than just gear—they want stories, solutions, and practical know-how shaped by real experience.

A Century of Innovation, Shared One Story at a Time

Cortland Line has been a leader in fly line innovation since 1915, but what truly sets the company apart is its ongoing commitment to the angling community. Our products are designed with input from professionals who fish hard and test even harder. But knowledge-sharing has always been at the heart of the brand. The Articles section reflects this philosophy, giving anglers not just the tools but the understanding to use them well. Whether it's breaking down the science behind line density, offering seasonal prep advice, or showcasing the voices of our ambassadors and guides, each blog entry is crafted to bring value to the reader. This is more than content—it’s an extension of who we are: a company built by anglers, for anglers, that believes the best fishing experiences start with knowledge, preparation, and a passion for learning.

Learn From the Experts Who Live It

The articles on Cortland Stories aren't written in a vacuum—they’re born from experience, sharpened by countless casts, and tested on waters both near and far. Our contributors include seasoned guides, competitive pros, product designers, and Cortland Ambassadors who have spent years mastering their craft in diverse fishing conditions. From the technical breakdown of fly line chemistry to nuanced casting strategies for challenging wind conditions, these articles provide anglers with advice that’s not only informative but applicable in the field. Want to refine your streamer setup for fast currents? Trying to figure out when and why to use a neutral density line on a spring-fed lake? Or maybe you're just eager to read about the adrenaline rush of stalking bonefish on the flats? Each piece is crafted with the kind of authenticity only firsthand experience can offer—giving you real value, real stories, and real solutions with every read.

A Resource for Every Season and Skill Level

Whether you’re learning to form your first loop or preparing for your tenth guided trip to Patagonia, the Cortland Stories blog meets you at your level—and then helps you level up. Every article is built to strike a balance between approachability and technical depth. You don’t need to be a veteran angler to understand the topics, but if you are, you’ll still find insights that sharpen your edge. Seasonal prep guides help you protect and prolong your gear; product features explain not just the "what," but the "why" behind the designs. And for those days when you're not on the water, the blog offers inspiration through travel stories, conservation insights, and tales of angling adventure. It’s a resource designed to evolve with you—supporting your growth, expanding your toolkit, and helping you fish smarter with each season that passes.