The Fly Fishing Column: A Product Update©
Cortland’s 555 High Float Dyna-Tip
Featuring: WF-5-F
By Doug Macnair

This report rounds out the Triad of reviews dealing with Cortland’s fly line highlights for 2005. Thus far, we’ve covered the 444 Sylk and the 444SL Precision Taper, now comes the 555 High Float Dyna-Tip. It is the final nail in what is one of the finest crafted coffins in the world -- it’s the only coffin that I know of that will make your fly fishing game more alive than ever. I call that a creative coffin ... And since a coffin is a vault of sorts, it seems a good place safeguard these lines when not in use – they are valuable!

The 555 High Float Dyna-Tip. This is a great addition to a continuing history of great fly lines. The High Float does just exactly that – float high. That means, of course, less effort on your part when lifting into the backcast. It also means less disturbance to the water’s surface during the lift. Remember those roster-tails you usually have? They become a thing of the past, provided of course, that you don’t get sloppy in your casting stroke.

Unlike most of the other 555s, the High Float does not have a chambered mono core; instead, the core is braided nylon. Other than that, the High Float enjoys the attributes of remainder of the 555 family. Let there be no doubt, the Cortland High Float is one helluva line. Perhaps more remarkably than anything else, it’s purported to have the lowest specific gravity in the industry. (I’ve heard it’s less than 6.) Little wonder it floats so high! To be sure, it is a joy to handle.

So how does it cast? From what’s already been said, if you guessed “fantastic,� you guessed correctly. Supple, durable, no memory, and with a great guarantee, it would be hard to wish for more. My longest measured cast is/was 101-feet. I think that borders on the fantastic for a 5-weight … I think you will agree. Quite candidly, I was amazed. While I had other long casts with this rig, I may never repeat this accomplishment again.

I use this as a simple example to amplify what this line can do in the hands of the skilled caster armed with the right rod, leader and tippet. Distance, however, is but a small part of the fly fishing game. There are few, if any, situations that warrant extreme distance. If you’ve had trouble throwing 60 to 70-feet, I highly recommend the 555 High Float. I’m certain you will attain your goal.

Long casting is one thing, catching fish quite another. Of the two, I highly commend catching fish. You can of course use string … but if you want big fish try this line. If a line can make a difference the High Float will. What more can I say … tip casting, trick casting, gentle presentations … This line does it all. It proves, once again, that the fly line is the most important aspect of the sport -- more important than the fly rod or fly reel.

Is there a shortfall to the 555 High Float? You bet! The packaging hasn’t kept pace with new 444’s; consequently, expect the same old cardboard box without an interactive CD. However, I doubt that either is a requirement for fly fishers more advanced in experience, technique, and age. After all, I’ve lived for seventy years with the cardboard box and the idea of an interactive CD was (and sometimes still is) beyond my comprehension.

If you have a desire to show your buddies just how a pro does it, I would be the first to recommend trying the Cortland High Float Dyna-Tip. And when your fellows watch you in awe and ask, “How did you do that?� Remember: just shrug your shoulders and casually remark, “When you’ve fly fished as long as I have, you get a feel for these things.� And as I like to say: Whatever does it best for you is the very best there is!

For more information about the 555 Series, contact: The Cortland Line Company, Inc. 3736 Kellogg Road, P.O. Box 5588, Cortland, NY 13045-5588. 1-(607) 756-2851.


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