Overview

The Cortland Competition MkII is Cortland's top Euro nymphing rod, built for tight-line anglers who fish at a competition level. Cortland designed it with input from more than 30 years of top-level competition experience from its prostaff, and built the blank from carbon fiber of military-grade modulus and resins.

The design puts the main power in the butt section and balances the rod around a down-locking reel seat with dual locking rings and a cork composite fighting butt, so it sits well in the hand through long drifts and has the leverage to turn larger trout. A Grade A Portuguese cork cigar grip, over-sized light wire single foot guides and a tactical black finish complete it. We carry all four models Cortland makes: a 10' and an 11' 2 wt, and a 10'6" and an 11' 3 wt.

Which Competition MkII Should You Choose?

Small to mid-size streams, fine tippets and the lightest rod in the series: 664913 (10' 2 wt).

Fine tippets with the reach of an 11' rod: 664968 (11' 2 wt).

One rod for most tight-line and competition nymphing: 664951 (10'6" 3 wt).

Big rivers, wide runs and the most line control: 664975 (11' 3 wt).

Cortland Competition MkII Specs

Cortland Competition MkII Models

664913 - 10' 2 wt

The lightest MkII, at 3.3 oz by Cortland's figures. A 10' 2 wt gives you reach with a light line class for small trout, small water and the finest tippets.

Best for: small to mid-size streams, small trout, the finest tippets.

Line pairing: A Euro nymph line for tight-line rigs, or a 2 wt weight-forward floating line when you switch to dries or a standard nymph rig; Cortland sized the guides to pass Euro, WF and DT lines. We recommend the SA Mastery Euro Tactical Nymph (0.022 in level) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF2F).

664968 - 11' 2 wt

The extra foot keeps line off conflicting currents and lets you lead the flies through a longer drift, while the 2 wt line class still protects fine tippet. Cortland lists it at 3.5 oz.

Best for: longer drifts with fine tippets, clear water, wary fish.

Line pairing: A Euro nymph line for tight-line rigs, or a 2 wt weight-forward floating line when you switch to dries or a standard nymph rig; Cortland sized the guides to pass Euro, WF and DT lines. We recommend the SA Mastery Euro Tactical Nymph (0.022 in level) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF2F).

664951 - 10'6" 3 wt

The center of the series and the length most tight-line anglers reach for first, at 3.4 oz. Testers at Fly Fusion magazine found the 10'6" 3 wt light and sensitive despite its length, with a tip soft enough that they were not breaking fish off on the hook set.

Best for: all-round Euro and tight-line nymphing, competition fishing.

Line pairing: A Euro nymph line for tight-line rigs, or a 3 wt weight-forward floating line when you switch to dries or a standard nymph rig; Cortland sized the guides to pass Euro, WF and DT lines. We recommend the SA Mastery Euro Tactical Nymph (0.022 in level) or the RIO Elite Technical Trout (WF3F).

664975 - 11' 3 wt

The longest MkII on the heavier line class, at 3.6 oz. The 11' length gives the most reach and line control in the series for wide runs and big rivers, and the 3 wt has the backbone for larger trout.

Best for: big rivers, wide runs, maximum reach, larger trout.

Line pairing: A Euro nymph line for tight-line rigs, or a 3 wt weight-forward floating line when you switch to dries or a standard nymph rig; Cortland sized the guides to pass Euro, WF and DT lines. We recommend the SA Mastery Euro Tactical Nymph (0.022 in level) or the RIO Elite Technical Trout (WF3F).

Competition MkII vs Other Cortland Nymph Rods

The Competition MkII is Cortland's competition rod: carbon fiber, a cigar cork grip, 2 and 3 wt from 10' to 11', and 3.3 to 3.6 oz by Cortland's figures. The Cortland Nymph Series Fly Rod is built on a super-light graphite blank for modern nymphing and shares the down-locking reel seat, dual locking rings and cork composite fighting butt; we carry it in 10'6" 2, 3 and 4 wt. If you are just starting out, Cortland calls the Cortland Guide Series Euro Nymph Fly Rod Outfit its ultimate introductory Euro combo: a 3 wt rod with reel, line and Euro leader in one box.

Cortland Competition MkII FAQ

What action is the Competition MkII?

Cortland does not give it an action rating. It describes the rod as built for Euro nymphing, with the main power in the butt section, and reviewers describe a sensitive tip that protects light tippet on the hook set.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. Each rod comes with a size-specific cloth rod sock and an optic orange rod case that is easy to spot on the river bank.

What is the warranty?

Cortland rods registered within 30 days of purchase are covered by Cortland's Limited Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for the original registered owner, when the rod is bought from an authorized Cortland retailer. A repair fee may apply for damage that is not caused by a manufacturing defect.

Which Competition MkII should I choose?

The 10'6" 3 wt for most tight-line nymphing, the 10' 2 wt for small streams and fine tippets, the 11' 2 wt for reach with light tippet, and the 11' 3 wt for big rivers and wide runs.

What fly line should I use?

A Euro nymph line for tight-line rigs. Cortland's over-sized single foot guides also pass weight-forward and double taper lines when you switch to dries or an indicator rig.

How is it different from the Cortland Nymph Series?

The MkII uses a carbon fiber blank designed with Cortland's competition prostaff, has a cigar cork grip, comes in 11' lengths and is lighter: Cortland lists the 10'6" 3 wt MkII at 3.4 oz and the 10'6" 3 wt Nymph Series at 3.8 oz. The Nymph Series goes up to 4 wt in 10'6".