Cortland Rods:

[momsworry]

Anyone out there own one?  What is your opinion of them?

[SteveAZ]

I have several Sage rods, an RPL (which I really like) 2 RPL+'s and an XP.  I don't often tell people this but I also have a Cortland. It's the first fly rod I ever owned. It's a 6'6" for a 5-6 wt. I can get the entire line (5 wt) in the air. It really casts.

In general you just gotta check them out. I've been surprised more than once by a "Not a big name" rod that is really a great rod.

SteveAZ

[flatlander]

I agree. You need to check even the lower priced stuff out. The graphite technology used in rod building has improved so much in the last 10 or even 5 years, that you will find that many of the "cheap-o" rods of today can match or beat the performance of the top end stuff from 10 years ago. Plus, not everyone likes the latest super stiff and light high modulus rods. They can be VERY fast action which isn't necessarily the best for every situation and caster, and wall thickness is getting to be so thin on some models that they aren't nearly as durable in comparison with the 33 to 44 mil modulus stuff. The best advice that I've heard is to test them out and find what works the best for your style of fishing and buy it.  Don't be hung up on the label.

[Questor]

The previous two posters are absolutely right. I have two Cortland rods that I bought about 15 years ago. They are excellent rods, and an excellent value for the price.  What makes them worth the extra money is the high quality of the guides and wrapping.  

The Cortlands cast very well. Even the bass rod I've got doesn't collapse under a forceful cast.

I don't like the Cortland lines, however, because they kink up too much in cold weather, at least the ones I've tried did several years ago. I've been using Scientific Anglers lines exclusively since.