Overview

The Cortland Guide Series Freshwater Outfit is a complete, matched fly fishing setup for beginner and intermediate anglers. Cortland designed the Guide Series outfits to offer premium performance at an affordable price, built from quality components and tested for long-term abuse.

Each outfit pairs a fast-action, lightweight 4-piece graphite Guide Series rod with a large arbor aluminum reel carrying 150 yards of backing, a Cortland-designed two-color weight-forward floating line with a welded loop, and an attached premium tapered leader, all in a rod and reel carrying case. The 10' 4 wt, 9' 6 wt and 9' 8 wt have fighting butts. We carry five outfits: an 8' and a 10' 4 wt, and 9' outfits in 5, 6 and 8 wt.

Which Guide Series Freshwater Outfit Should You Choose?

Small streams, short casts and light dries: 620155 (8' 4 wt).

Nymphing and extra reach on bigger rivers: 620117 (10' 4 wt).

One outfit for most trout fishing: 620148 (9' 5 wt).

Bigger flies, wind and bass: 620131 (9' 6 wt).

Bass, pike, salmon and big streamers: 620124 (9' 8 wt).

Cortland Guide Series Freshwater Outfit Specs

Cortland Guide Series Freshwater Outfit Models

620155 - 8' 4 wt

The short, light outfit for small creeks and streams, where casts are short and accurate.

In the box: Guide Series Freshwater rod (8' 4 wt, 4-piece), large arbor aluminum reel with 150 yards of backing, Cortland-designed two-color WF 4 floating fly line with a welded loop, an attached premium tapered leader, and a rod and reel carrying case.

Best for: small streams and creeks, light dries and nymphs.

620117 - 10' 4 wt

The long 4 wt outfit for mending, high-sticking and reaching across seams on bigger rivers, with a fighting butt.

In the box: Guide Series Freshwater rod (10' 4 wt, 4-piece, fighting butt), large arbor aluminum reel with 150 yards of backing, Cortland-designed two-color WF 4 floating fly line with a welded loop, an attached premium tapered leader, and a rod and reel carrying case.

Best for: nymphing, bigger rivers, mending and reach.

620148 - 9' 5 wt

The all-round trout outfit, with the range to fish dries, nymphs and small streamers on most rivers and lakes.

In the box: Guide Series Freshwater rod (9' 5 wt, 4-piece), large arbor aluminum reel with 150 yards of backing, Cortland-designed two-color WF 5 floating fly line with a welded loop, an attached premium tapered leader, and a rod and reel carrying case.

Best for: all-round trout fishing.

620131 - 9' 6 wt

A step up for bigger flies, windy days and bass, with a fighting butt for leverage on larger fish.

In the box: Guide Series Freshwater rod (9' 6 wt, 4-piece, fighting butt), large arbor aluminum reel with 150 yards of backing, Cortland-designed two-color WF 6 floating fly line with a welded loop, an attached premium tapered leader, and a rod and reel carrying case.

Best for: bigger trout flies, wind, bass, lakes.

620124 - 9' 8 wt

The heaviest freshwater outfit, with a fighting butt, for bass, pike and salmon and for casting big streamers.

In the box: Guide Series Freshwater rod (9' 8 wt, 4-piece, fighting butt), large arbor aluminum reel with 150 yards of backing, Cortland-designed two-color WF 8 floating fly line with a welded loop, an attached premium tapered leader, and a rod and reel carrying case.

Best for: bass, pike, salmon, big streamers.

Guide Series Freshwater Outfit vs Buying the Rod Alone

The outfit uses the same rods sold on their own as the Cortland Guide Series Freshwater Fly Rod, which comes in a Cordura rod tube. The outfit adds the reel, backing, line, leader and a rod and reel case, so it is the simpler buy if you are starting from scratch; if you already own a reel and line, the rod alone is enough. For the salt, see the Cortland Guide Series Saltwater Fly Rod Outfit, and for tight-line nymphing the Cortland Guide Series Euro Nymph Fly Rod Outfit.

Cortland Guide Series Freshwater Outfit FAQ

What comes in the outfit?

A 4-piece Guide Series Freshwater rod, a large arbor aluminum reel with 150 yards of backing, a Cortland-designed two-color weight-forward floating line with a welded loop, an attached premium tapered leader and a rod and reel carrying case.

What fly line is included?

A Cortland-designed two-color weight-forward floating line matched to the rod: WF 4 on the 4 wt outfits, WF 5, WF 6 and WF 8 on the others.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A rod and reel carrying case with a zippered reel pouch.

What is the warranty?

Cortland lists a 2-year limited warranty for its Guide Series outfits, for outfits bought from an authorized Cortland retailer.

Which outfit should I choose?

The 9' 5 wt for most trout fishing, the 8' 4 wt for small streams, the 10' 4 wt for nymphing and reach, the 9' 6 wt for bigger flies and bass, and the 9' 8 wt for pike, salmon and big streamers.

Is it good for a beginner?

Yes. Cortland designed the Guide Series outfits with beginner and intermediate anglers in mind, so the whole setup comes matched in one box.