I have a Cortland rod, part of a combo kit. The rod is ok, makes me appreciate my TFO much more.
I'm wondering if upgrading to a better quality fly line would get better casting results.

What weight rod is your Cortland set up? Sometimes it's beneficial to up line a rod to get it to load better for example using. WF7 on a six weight rod.


Les

Sometimes combos come with pretty poor line.

My thoughts exactly, it's a 6wt, and was thinking about loading it with 7wt but I'm still kind of new at this at wanted to run past someone first.

A whole bunch of the new lines are a half or more heavier than what they are rated

No harm in going one or even two heavier.

Not referring to line weights here, just the quality of the line - yes, a better line will 100% give you better results. It will be a noticable difference.

Also, application specific lines can make things much easier. It is not fun, for instance, to throw big weighted streamers with a trout line, but a more aggressive taper and a shorter leader can make it much easier and more enjoyable.

I second all the advice above - yes, a better line might help and yes, a heavier line might help. Take your outfit to a fly shop and ask to try out different lines. That's how I buy fly lines now. Put It on your rod and try it out. They will probably put the line on your reel for no charge.

A better quality line will help. A heavier line may or may not help; it depends on the rod and on your casting skill. Not sure why some people prescribe to the notion that overlining a rod is always better.

Are you using a weight forward line ?

When you are talking about lower end rods, IMO the line at least equal to if not more important than the rod itself. I have yet to find a rod that will cast a bad line well.

You got that right COFF...Can't agree more.

May be of interest to some... Playlist of videos where we demo in reply to a question posed to the team about what was most important when purchasing a fly rod/reel...
- quality fly line
- then the fly rod
- and then the fly reel
- noting that the fly reel may move up in priority when the fish pursued requires a quality drag ...like a bruiser fish that needs to be fought with the reel and rod.

Here is the post from our blog that started this effort...
Fly Casting Without Rod or Reel

Like everyone said you will see a difference with better line. That being said you don�t have to spend $80 on Rio line to see an improvement. On two of my reels I have Rio lines (Grand and Smallmouth) on my 4wt I have Blue Halo Ripple and I think it�s comparable to the Rio at half the price.

My 6wt is an Academy All Star rod with a Cortland Crown II reel loaded with Rio Grand. The line made a big difference and it�s my second favorite combo now since putting the new line on. My 8wt is a TFO with Rio Smallmouth and honestly I don�t care for it. The line is just way too stiff. I have tried to stretch it several times and still it�s too stiff to cast varry well.