Review: The Cortland Nymph Series Rod

Last year, I decided I was done with my tight-lining ways and decided to go all-in on Euro nymphing. Of course, that meant buying a fly rod designed specifically for Euro nymphing. Yes, to some degree, you can still effectively Euro nymph with just about any fly rod, but the heavier fighting butt and more sensitive tip of an actual Euro rod will ultimately serve you better. Due to budget constraints, I decided on the Cortland Nymph Series Rod, and I was not disappointed.

I purchased the Cortland Nymph Series Rod in a 10.5-foot 3-weight. it has turned out to be quite effective, durable, and versatile.

First of all, I am hard on equipment. I fish almost every day, and I seldom break down the rod and store it in its provided case. Rather, I simply pull apart the sections just enough that they’ll fit in the back seat of my truck, where they bounce around with all my other gear. Of course, I don’t recommend this kind of abuse, as all rods should be stored properly between fishing sessions. However, if you’re like me, and you fish on an almost-daily basis, rest assured, the Cortland Nymph Series Rod is solidly manufactured with high quality materials.

This rod is aesthetically-pleasing as well. Built on a super light graphite blank which dampens and recovers quickly, providing exceptional feel, the matte black, low-reflective finish looks “tactical” and stealthy. The single-foot guides are a tad over-sized, which helps line pass through easily. All ferules and guides are coated with highly durable epoxy, resisting cracks, flex stress, and excessive knots.

The Cortland Nymph Series Rod also comes with rod-alignment dots, which are a nice feature for quick assembly. Even more convenient is the installed hook-keeper, which many other brands and models seem to have done away with in recent years.