Yes, yes, YES. After 65 years of fly fishing the peach is all I use on half a dozen rod/reel combos. I’m sure there are other good lines but when I buy the Cortland I KNOW what I’m getting and it’s still a marvelous fly line.
I was just looking through my disheveled pile of tackle and found an unopened 444 peach. Still in the original hard plastic case. Heading to Montana next Friday for my 2nd trip this summer.
Just brought a new #7 and decided to go with the 444 again as rhe last one lasted me 17 years. I dont fish often but its outlasted all the lines that were almost the same price.
We used to fish saltwater in Florida with 444 DT before all the specialty lines came out. I still use one in the winter in Louisiana for redfish. It is often mistaken for a "soft" or presentation line for vintage rods, but it has a shorter front taper than a lot of DTs. I use a 444 DT on all my rods from 3 to 6 weight (with my glass rod) and one 8 as mentioned. I only use WF on 6-12. I would love for you guys to develop an inshore version with a slightly stiffer core and call it the "444 Flood Tide" or similar. Perfect kayak redfish line.
The original 333 lines introduced in the early 1950's were the first successful synthetic fly line manufactured . . They were manufactured with a taper braided nylon core and coated with a very thin uniform layer of pvc plastic. In the short decade before lines with synthetic cores, nylon or dacron, were coated with many layers of oil just like silk lines. The synthetics do not absorb oil well and were in constant need of maintenamce. The old 333's are the best casting lines I have ever used and I have used them exclusively for the past 15 years. A winding machine operator could produce about eight lines a shift at the Cortland Factory, it took the full eight hours to produce a line. All modern fly lines produced by the big manufacturers are produced by coating a layer or layers of pvc or polyurethane on a core of uniform diameter. I think it takes about a minute to make a line. In the mid to late 1950's Gladding was the first to manufacture lines using this process using the patent invented by the founder of Scientific Anglers. The original 333 lines were by far the most sought after and highest quality synthetic lines of the early 1950's. Later on in the 1950's Cortland 333 lines were manufactured using the newer process. The 444 lines were introduced in the early 1960's. This information was gathered from the book: "America's Fly Lines" by Victor Johnson.
I have an 8 wt rod I use for bass and inshore or beach fishing. I’m very intrigued by this line. Could I use this line? Are there different weight fly lines as there are for rods and reels?
I had a load of 444 lines, in the 80s and 90s, including the glo line with the red tip. I don't think their recent ones are as supple and as glassy smooth as the very early ones.
I also still have a few 444 peach lines in my arsenal. The rod mfg have created the fast rod fad then the line mfg have produced the heavy lines to help castability. So now the newbies are all confused. I have at least 2 rods that cast better with 2 line wts over recommended lines so even the heavy lines are not heavy enough to liven up a rod. A few years ago I bought a 8.t ft tfo rod that I used once and did not like the rod so it ended up in a corner. A few months ago I put a 7wt line on it and the rod came alive. Will it cast a 5wt line? IT SURE WILL but ican cast a 7wt a lot better and farther. The problem is I wanted a 5wt rod. Not a 7wt. I also have a 7wt that throws a 9wt line much better. Too bad the rod mfg can't get thier products correct. My fav rod for the creeks is a 2wt that I use a 3wt line with. It is a great rod imo
OK you youngsters, I remember when Cortland 333 was the go to line. I think I still have some 333 line cleaner with the felt pad in the top around somewhere. Keep the good stuff coming guys.
Question: would you use this fly line for bass fishing in Florida, or is it not suited to the heat?
From the comments, i will be ordering 444 to replace this cheap line that came with my rod.
Yes, yes, YES. After 65 years of fly fishing the peach is all I use on half a dozen rod/reel combos. I’m sure there are other good lines but when I buy the Cortland I KNOW what I’m getting and it’s still a marvelous fly line.
How do I get the memory out of my cortland 5wt peach fly line? Also, I cannot feel my fly rod load when casting. It is a moderate fast 9 ft.
I get it. The 1950s comment. I ndustries always end up fucki g things up. Leave it alone. If it ain't broke don't broke it.😅
The 5 wt. 444 peach was my first fly line. On a TFO Lefty Kreh rod. Lots of fun as long as the wind was favorable.
I was just looking through my disheveled pile of tackle and found an unopened 444 peach. Still in the original hard plastic case.
Heading to Montana next Friday for my 2nd trip this summer.
Thanks for the honest comments guys!
Some of these companies seem to feel entitled to our money and keep jacking up prices for no real reasons.
I have a well fished 444, its 40 years old. It has lost a bit of its color, but besides that it is as good as new.
I think the scientific anglers original aircel wf is the best
I use the 444 with Fast action rods, as I find it shoots well.
My thoughts exactly. I prefer slower action and fiberglass rods although I do like SA lines.
AdditionaIIy, I don't think you can beat the CortIand 333 Rocket taper for 8wt.
Air Cell Supreme. Nuff said.
Just brought a new #7 and decided to go with the 444 again as rhe last one lasted me 17 years. I dont fish often but its outlasted all the lines that were almost the same price.
We used to fish saltwater in Florida with 444 DT before all the specialty lines came out. I still use one in the winter in Louisiana for redfish. It is often mistaken for a "soft" or presentation line for vintage rods, but it has a shorter front taper than a lot of DTs. I use a 444 DT on all my rods from 3 to 6 weight (with my glass rod) and one 8 as mentioned. I only use WF on 6-12. I would love for you guys to develop an inshore version with a slightly stiffer core and call it the "444 Flood Tide" or similar. Perfect kayak redfish line.
The original 333 lines introduced in the early 1950's were the first successful synthetic fly line manufactured . . They were manufactured with a taper braided nylon core and coated with a very thin uniform layer of pvc plastic. In the short decade before lines with synthetic cores, nylon or dacron, were coated with many layers of oil just like silk lines. The synthetics do not absorb oil well and were in constant need of maintenamce. The old 333's are the best casting lines I have ever used and I have used them exclusively for the past 15 years. A winding machine operator could produce about eight lines a shift at the Cortland Factory, it took the full eight hours to produce a line. All modern fly lines produced by the big manufacturers are produced by coating a layer or layers of pvc or polyurethane on a core of uniform diameter. I think it takes about a minute to make a line. In the mid to late 1950's Gladding was the first to manufacture lines using this process using the patent invented by the founder of Scientific Anglers. The original 333 lines were by far the most sought after and highest quality synthetic lines of the early 1950's. Later on in the 1950's Cortland 333 lines were manufactured using the newer process. The 444 lines were introduced in the early 1960's. This information was gathered from the book: "America's Fly Lines" by Victor Johnson.
Got this line on all my fly rods. Hands downs beats any line from RIO..
The peach is still my favorite fly line for trout fishing
Is the Cortland 444 sl mint green the same taper as the peach 444 or is it a different line altogether?
Ew, Brian.
I have an 8 wt rod I use for bass and inshore or beach fishing. I’m very intrigued by this line. Could I use this line? Are there different weight fly lines as there are for rods and reels?
I like the Sylk 444 on my glass rods. Barrio lines (from Scotland) also deserve a mention too. Super lines, very good value.
🍑 lines are the bomb. Such sexy tapers
I had a load of 444 lines, in the 80s and 90s, including the glo line with the red tip. I don't think their recent ones are as supple and as glassy smooth as the very early ones.
I also still have a few 444 peach lines in my arsenal. The rod mfg have created the fast rod fad then the line mfg have produced the heavy lines to help castability. So now the newbies are all confused. I have at least 2 rods that cast better with 2 line wts over recommended lines so even the heavy lines are not heavy enough to liven up a rod. A few years ago I bought a 8.t ft tfo rod that I used once and did not like the rod so it ended up in a corner. A few months ago I put a 7wt line on it and the rod came alive. Will it cast a 5wt line? IT SURE WILL but ican cast a 7wt a lot better and farther. The problem is I wanted a 5wt rod. Not a 7wt. I also have a 7wt that throws a 9wt line much better. Too bad the rod mfg can't get thier products correct. My fav rod for the creeks is a 2wt that I use a 3wt line with. It is a great rod imo
Bought one 25 years ago, didn't like it as it didn't shoot well
Bought "The Peachy" in 1980 and have used them ever since. If it aint broke don,t fix it. Served me well for over 40 years. Regards from the UK
OK you youngsters, I remember when Cortland 333 was the go to line. I think I still have some 333 line cleaner with the felt pad in the top around somewhere. Keep the good stuff coming guys.
Kelly means probably with all the fast rods 'a 5 weight rod calling a 4 weight rod'
Also my favorite line. It is tough,lasts a long time,with an unparalleled supple feel.