Freshwater Fly Lines

Freshwater Fly Lines

EXPLORE OUR SELECTION OF FRESHWATER FLY LINES 

Freshwater fly lines are designed for accurate casting and controlled presentation when fishing rivers, streams, and lakes. The right line affects how your rod loads, how your fly turns over, and how effectively you manage drift and depth when targeting trout and other freshwater species.

At Cortland Line Company, we understand how important it is to have a fly line that consistently performs and delivers. Whether, you are casting small dry flies on back country streams or coming around the last turn of a figure 8 trying to entice a Musky, we have the line for you. 

Trout Series Fly Lines

Designed for balanced casting, presentation, and control across rivers, streams, and lakes.

Explore Trout Series Fly Lines
Streamer Series Fly Lines

Built for casting larger flies and covering water when aggressive presentations matter.

Explore Streamer Series Fly Lines
Euro Nymph Series Fly Lines

Purpose-built lines for European nymphing and technical freshwater techniques.

Explore Euro Nymph Series Fly Lines
Classic Fly Lines

Time-tested fly lines that have defined freshwater fishing for generations.

Explore Classic Fly Lines
 
444 Series Peach Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is peach. The box is black and peach.
 
444 Series Peach Double Taper Fly Line and Box. The coil is peach. The box is black and peach.
 
444 Series SL Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is mint green. The box is black and mint green.
 
444 Series SYLK Fly Line and box. The fly line is mustard. The box is mustard and black.
 
444 Series SYLK Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is mustard. The box is black and mustard.
 
 
Indicator Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is fire orange, olive, and pale yellow. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and neon yellow.
 
Trout Series Trout Boss White Fly Line and box. The line is chartreuse and white. The box has the Cortland logo, and is black and greenish yellow
 
Trout Series Trout Boss Green Fly Line and box. The line is green and yellow. The box has the Cortland logo, and is black and greenish yellow.
 
Trout Boss DT box and coil. The coil is moss green, yellow, and orange. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and greenish yellow.
 
Finesse Trout II box and coil. The color of the coil is heron and light blue. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and greenish yellow.
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Ultralight fly line box and coil. The color of the coil is aqua green, dark green, and pale yellow. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and greenish yellow.
 
Long Belly Distance fly line box and coil. The color of the coil is moss green and white. The box has the Cortland Logo and is black and greenish yellow.
 
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Streamer Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is olive and green. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and neon green.
 
Streamer Intermediate Tip Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is space grey and moss green. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and yellow.
 
Streamer Sink Tip 10 T3 Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is brown and grey. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and neon green.
 
Streamer Sink Tip 10 Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is black and olive. The box has the Cortland Logo and is black and neon green.
 
Streamer Sink Tip 15 Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is black and green. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and neon green at the top.
 
Streamer Sink Tip 25 Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is black and sage. The box has the Cortland Logo and is black and neon green at the top.
 
Streamer Dredge 30 Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is black and olive. The box has the Cortland Logo and is black and neon green.
 
Two-Handed Series Compact Switch Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is lime green and ivory. The box is black and orange, and has the Cortland logo.
 
Cannon 50+ Series Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is seafoam and peach. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and orange.
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Heavy Sink 50+ Series Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is black and smoke. The box has the Cortland Logo and is black and orange.
 
Intermediate 50+ Series Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is deep blue and sky blue. The box has the Cortland Logo and is black and orange.
 
Salmon Steelhead Fly Line Box and coil. The color of the coil is olive and white. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and yellow.
 
 
Pike Musky Float Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is olive and pale yellow. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and yellow at the bottom of the box.
 
Pike Musky Intermediate Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is olive and green. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and yellow.
 
Pike Musky Sink 4 Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is brown and gray. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and yellow.
 
Pike Musky Sink 8 Fly Line and Box. The coil is black and olive. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and yellow.
 
Compact Intermediate Fly Fishing Line and Box. The coil is clear and light blue. The box is black at the top and yellow at the bottom.
 
Compact Sink Type 6 Fly Fishing Line and Box. The coil is black and electric green. The box is black and yellow.
 
Compact Sink Type 9 Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is black and light blue. The box is black and yellow.
 
Bass Specialty Series Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is lilly green and hot orange. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and yellow.
 
Bass Intermediate Specialty Series Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is clear camo and aqua green. The box has the Cortland logo and is black and yellow.
 
Ghost Tip 3 Fly Line and Box. The line is clear and mint green. The box is black and yellow.
 
Ghost Tip 5 Fly Line Box and Coil. The coil is clear and mint green. The box is black and yellow.
 
Ghost Tip 15 Fly Line and Box. The coil is clear and mint green. The box is black and yellow.
 
Spring Creek Fly Line and Box. The coil is olive color. The box has the Cortland logo and is white and orange.
 
Modern Trout Fly Line Box and coil. The color of the coil is moss green. The box has the Cortland logo and is orange and white.
 
Modern Trout Fly Line and box. The coil is orange. The box is white and orange, and has the Cortland logo.
 
Big Shot Fly Line Box and coil. The coil is sky blue. The box has the Cortland logo and is orange and white.
 
 
444 Series Clear Camo Intermediate Fly Line and Box. The line is clear camo. The box is black at the top, white in the middle, and orange at the bottom. The Cortland logo is in the center.
 
 
444 Series Intermediate Fly Line and box. The coil is ice blue. The box is orange, white, and black.
 
444 Series Sink Tip Type 3 Fly Line and box. The coil is brown and peach. The box is orange, white, and black.
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FRESHWATER FLY LINE TYPES

Freshwater fly lines are built with specific tapers and materials to match different fishing styles. While some lines are versatile enough for multiple techniques, specialized designs perform best when accuracy, power, or control are critical.

how to choose a freshwater fly line

Once you understand the different freshwater fly line types, choosing the right one comes down to how you fish and the conditions you fish most often. Different line designs prioritize accuracy, power, or sensitivity based on technique.

  • Trout Series: Balanced lines for dry flies, nymphs, and light streamers on rivers and streams.
  • Streamer Series: More powerful tapers for casting larger flies and heavier rigs.
  • Euro Nymph Series: Designed for tight-line and contact nymphing techniques where sensitivity matters most.
  • Classic / 444 Series: Traditional tapers with a familiar casting feel trusted by anglers for decades.
  • 50+ Series: Built with a stronger core for anglers targeting larger freshwater species or fishing more aggressive setups.

Freshwater fly line faqs

Freshwater fly lines are designed for lighter flies, precise presentations, and controlled casting. They differ from saltwater or specialty lines in taper design, coating, and core construction.

Start with your primary technique (dry flies, nymphs, streamers, or Euro nymphing) then consider water type and fly size. Matching the line to how you fish improves casting and presentation.

Trout Series lines focus on balance and accuracy, while Streamer Series lines use more powerful tapers to turn over larger or heavier flies.

Some general-purpose lines can cover multiple techniques, but specialized lines perform better when conditions or techniques demand precision or power.

Taper controls how energy transfers during the cast, affecting accuracy, turnover, distance, and how the fly lands on the water.

Not sure which line fits your setup? Use Cortland’s Fly Line Selector to match your rod, fishing style, and conditions.