Well, I think that settles it then! Hardy is just missing the boat. They said people aren't willing to buy high-end, big ticket sporting goods items during this bad economy - especially in America, where most of their export business is. That's why they said they laid off 30% of their work force last week. (Blame it on the Americans...LOL) Obviously, Americans are still more than willing to blow ridiculously obscene amounts of money on name brand crap we don't need. In fact, Orvis has been selling the heck out of their high-end fly rods, the Helios line, too. So maybe...just maybe...Hardy's problem lies within the hallowed halls at House of Hardy, Ltd. Maybe they just aren't selling what their target customer wants to buy at a price they're willing to pay. Ah-ha! Yep. That'll trigger a down-turn in your biz every time.