Got asked this question recently & I had to think hard about it.

What was the first modern floating fly line after silk?.

My best guess was either one from Cortland or one called a Gladding Aerofloat.
Anyone else come up with some oldies from way back.

Tight Lines

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"The Future's Bright The Future's Wet Fly"

Was it not the Aircel ,from Minesota Minerals and Mining (3M) ,we need the grouse here !

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Andy Wren
Winter grayling taking a year off !
Claret not just a great dubbing colour!

Was grousie even around then?



Anyway wasn't it Michigan and not Minnesota?



"Scientific Anglers was founded in 1945 by fellow anglers Leon Martuch, Clare Harris, and Paul Rottiers in Midland, Michigan. They developed the first modern, plastic coated fly line in 1952, replacing silk fly lines which had been in use for well over 100 years. In 1954, SA introduced the Air Cel, widely considered the first modern floating fly lines.
The development of 3M Microballoons in 1959 revolutionized the way that fly lines float and is the standard technology by which all manufacturers float their lines today. 3M, then known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, acquired Scientific Anglers in 1973."

I think it was The Aircel Supreme. I bought one in 1960, profile was HDH, the rough eqwuivalent of an old silk Kingfisher number 2 DT. They would shoot much better than silk, but the tips had to be greased to make them float. The Supreme broke up many years ago, but I still fish with an extremely sound Kingfisher 2DT,bought 1975. I believe Cortland were in the market fairly early, also. They were certainly the best in t'owd days. TC

Looks like the Air Cel just shades it. Terry mentions the Air Cel Supreme. Still in production today, guess they got it right from day one. I still have a few of their lines & their cheaper standard green one is well used on one of my stream rods to this day. At around £20 as cheap as chips as as good as others at double the price
Tight Lines

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"The Future's Bright The Future's Wet Fly"

Yep, Highlander, I have never had cause to complain about Scientific Anglers' lines in forty-eight years, they will do for me. Cheers, TerryC