Comments on: Rambling Review – Cortland 444 Classic – Clear Creek Fly Line

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:30:54 +0000

Gary, Thanks for the comment. I’ve read and heard from others that the 444 starts to sink a bit sooner than other premium line, but I did not find that to be the case in my situation. It’s a nice little line for 60 bucks.

Ben

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:28:07 +0000

In reply to Howard Hayden.

Howard,

Thanks for your comment. My fiberglass rod is a 2/3 weight and the TFO is a bit slower as well, and I found fairly good loading and accuracy, even at relatively short distances. I’d be interested to compare it to the SL line that you recommend. It never ceases to amaze me how the small things can affect the performance of a line or rod. Thanks for your thoughts.

Ben

By: Sharptail

Sharptail — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 04:24:04 +0000

Loops for small creek rods are a pain in the butt. For the most part, I only use loops for sinking tips as they’re easy to change out. Otherwise, I use a needle thread nail knot. Smooth as butter through the tip top. Great line, the tip sinks quicker than some of the more premium lines though.

By: Howard Hayden

Howard Hayden — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:44:21 +0000

The line is nice, but with a long front taper and tip, short casts do not allow sufficient loading of the rod, unless one uses a rod of one weight lighter, as did our tester who was in Europe. A WF3F is still a 2-Wt. until you have 30 feet of line out for casting. I have owned two of these Clear Creek lines and have given them to my Scouts; I prefer the 444SL. I wish Cortland would make a 444SL in a 60 ft. line so one could fit the DT3F on a small reel. I refuse to cut off a beautiful line..but I don’t want to be forced into a heavy reel for small, light rods. The Classic SYLK lines, of smaller diameter, do fit small reels of 2.5 to 3 in. diameter and under 4 ozs. total weight…like Orvis BBS I and Redington Drift 2/3… fancy, heavy disk drags are not useful on tiny reels and 2 or 3 wt. rods. I have a ‘bunch’ of Cortland lines.

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:38:59 +0000

In reply to cofisher.

Thanks Howard. Glad to hear that you agree. In this world where every new is “better,” it’s nice to see a product that has stood the test of time. Thanks

Ben

By: cofisher

cofisher — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 13:13:37 +0000

I’ve used Cortland 444 for quite awhile and I agree with your assessment. Plus you can’t beat the price. I cut off the welded loops and tie a nail knot, so that’s not a issue for me. Thanks Ben.