As they say in Boy Scouts I'm "thrifty". I live near a Cabelas and cruise their "bargain cave" One day it looked like they bougth out a rod shop. Reel seats and REC grips $2.00 guides salvaged from some broken sectios they were offing $3.00 last years model 8' 4 wt blank $20. Total cost for rod including thread and flex coat. less than $40.
Some days you just are in the right palace at the right time.