Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Cortland offers free shipping on U.S. domestic orders over $75. Shipping options and any applicable taxes are calculated at checkout.

After placing an order, you should receive an order confirmation by email. If you do not see it, check your spam or promotions folder and make sure the email address entered at checkout was correct.

Most orders ship within 1–3 business days after the order is placed. Shipping times may vary during holidays, peak seasons, product launches, or high-volume periods.

If you need your order by a specific date, please select an expedited shipping option at checkout. Expedited shipping speeds up carrier transit time after the order leaves our facility, but it does not guarantee same-day processing.

If you need to change or cancel an order, contact customer service as soon as possible at 1 (800) 847-6787 or email info@cortlandline.com. You can also reach us through our Contact Us page. Once an order has been processed or shipped, changes may not be possible.

When your order ships, tracking information is typically sent to the email address used at checkout. Tracking updates may take time to appear after the carrier receives the package.

Please include your order number, the email address used at checkout, and a short explanation of what you need help with. You can send those details through our Contact Us page.

Eligible items may be returned within the return window listed in Cortland’s return policy. Items should be in original condition and include any required packaging, tags, or order information.

For the most accurate details, review the full Returns, Exchanges & Product Warranty page before sending anything back.

Cortland product warranty coverage generally applies to defects in materials or workmanship. Warranty coverage, repair options, and inspection requirements may vary by product type.

Review the full Returns, Exchanges & Product Warranty page before sending any product back for inspection.

Proof of purchase may be required for warranty review. Keep your receipt, order confirmation, or purchase record whenever possible. For full warranty instructions, visit the Returns, Exchanges & Product Warranty page.

All grain weights on Cortland fly lines are measured by the first 30 feet of line.

If the original packaging or spool label is missing, check the line for printed identification first. Some lines include printed line information. If you are still unsure, contact customer service with photos and any details you remember about the line.

Sink rates describe how quickly a sinking or intermediate fly line sinks through the water, usually measured in inches per second.

• Hover: Neutral
• Slow Intermediate: 1 IPS
• Medium Intermediate: 1.5–2 IPS
• Fast Intermediate: 2–3 IPS
• Type 3: 3–4 IPS
• Type 4: 4–5 IPS
• Type 5: 5–6 IPS
• Type 6: 6–7 IPS
• Type 7: 7–8 IPS
• Type 9: 9+ IPS

Floating lines are designed to stay on or near the surface. Intermediate lines sink slowly below the surface. Sinking lines sink faster and are used to reach deeper water or maintain depth during the retrieve.

Different environments require different performance. Freshwater lines often focus on presentation, control, and accuracy. Saltwater lines are built for tougher conditions, larger flies, stronger fish, and different temperature demands. Explore Freshwater Fly Lines or Saltwater Fly Lines.

Cleaning your fly line helps remove dirt and buildup that can affect shootability, handling, and long-term line life. For step-by-step instructions, visit our Fly Line Care guide.

Clean your line throughout the season, after heavy use, after fishing dirty or salty water, and before storing it for an extended period. Regular cleaning helps preserve handling, shootability, and longevity.

For more details, visit our Fly Line Care guide.

Look for cuts, cracks, crushing, pinching, abrasion, or other coating damage before re-spooling the line.

Our Fly Line Care guide includes more line-care tips.

Before fishing, gently stretch short sections of line to reduce memory and improve handling. Avoid sharp pulls or excessive force.

For proper care and handling, visit our Fly Line Care guide.

A basic fly setup runs from fly line to leader to tippet to fly. The fly line provides casting weight, the leader transfers energy and turns over the fly, and the tippet helps fine-tune diameter, strength, and presentation. For more detail, visit our Line & Leader Setup Guide.

The leader connects to the fly line and helps transfer energy during the cast. Tippet is the final section attached to the fly and is used to adjust diameter, strength, visibility, and presentation. For a full breakdown, visit our Line & Leader Setup Guide.

Replace tippet when it becomes too short, nicked, abraded, weakened, or after changing flies enough times that the remaining section no longer suits your setup.

For more setup guidance, visit our Line & Leader Setup Guide.

Choose tippet based on fly size, target species, water clarity, and the amount of strength or delicacy needed. Smaller tippet can improve presentation, while larger tippet offers more strength and abrasion resistance. Our Line & Leader Setup Guide can help you narrow the setup.

Start with your target species, reel size, technique, cover, and preferred pound test. Heavier braid offers more strength and abrasion resistance, while lighter braid can improve casting distance and line capacity. Explore Cortland Braided Fishing Lines.

Hollow-core braid has a braided construction that allows the line to open in the center. It is commonly used for splicing, rigging, backing, and specialized big-game or offshore applications. View Cortland Braided Fishing Lines to compare options.

Dacron is commonly used as backing and for applications where a durable braided line with traditional handling characteristics is preferred. Shop Fly Line Backing or view Cortland Braided Fishing Lines.

Many braided lines can be used across freshwater and saltwater applications, but the best choice depends on the specific product, pound test, fishing technique, and conditions. Explore Braided Fishing Lines and Conventional Leader Material.

Include the species you target, the reel and rod you are using, the technique, preferred pound test, and whether you fish freshwater, saltwater, or both. You can send those details through our Contact Us page.

Use our Fly Line Selector to answer a few simple questions and narrow down the Cortland lines that best match where you fish, what you target, and your setup.

Tell us what type of fishing you do, the species you target, where you fish, and the rod, reel, or setup you are using. The more specific you are, the better the recommendation can be. You can send those details through our Contact Us page.

Cortland Line Company is based in Cortland, New York and has been part of American fishing line manufacturing for more than a century. Learn more on the About Cortland page.