ABOUT CORTLAND LINE ®

Founded in Cortland, New York, Cortland Line Company designs and manufactures fly lines for freshwater and saltwater anglers worldwide. For more than a century, the company has focused on fishing driven innovation, developing technologies that helped shape modern fly line design, from the early braiding work of Ray Smith to the twentieth century leadership of Leon Chandler.

Cortland Line Company continues to design and manufacture fly lines in Cortland, New York, guided by the same principles that have shaped the company for more than a century. From the early work of Ray Smith to the leadership of Leon Chandler, Cortland’s history has been defined by practical experience, careful design, and a deep respect for fishing itself. Chandler’s influence extended well beyond product development. His commitment to education, conservation, and industry leadership helped shape how fly fishing knowledge was shared and preserved, both within Cortland and across the broader angling community. That sense of responsibility continues today.

The team at Cortland carries this legacy forward by building on decades of accumulated knowledge in materials, tapers, and construction. While tools and technologies have evolved, the approach remains rooted in experience gained on the water and refined through generations of anglers.