Perplexed

[D. Micus]

I get a fly fishing catalog in the mail yesterday, and it is loaded with only overpriced items, including production rods selling for $700. If there is ANYONE who can explain to me what makes a piece of graphite worth $700, please do. I'm perplexed.

[anglerdave]

Dave

I think you need to erase the word 'production' from your vocabulary. I'm sure those rods are worth every penny. Picture in your mind, someone lovingly rolling that graphite on the mandrel. Then with gentle hands, fitting the grip and reel seat. Ah! But lest we foreget the nimble fingers placing each guide just so and wrapping them one by one. How can you put a price on something like that? You can't. However, afix the manufactures name on the rod and voix la ! Price less! Or in this case, $700.

[D. Micus]

evil dave, you're right! i'm selling the rolex to buy one of those rods!

[Jim Hatch]

Hey DM,

If anyone was gonna explain the virtues
of a $700 rod, I would think you'd be well
placed to do so. The environment and
fishery you frequent has got to be among the
most demanding around. That you have been
able to survive this long without one and
produce a weekly column on your fishery at
the same time leads me to believe that #l,
you are very good at making the most of what
you have, or #2, the high zoot rods might be
a bit over rated. I begrudge noone whatever
shiney bits make them feel good and put a
grin on thier chin, but I too would like to
see an explanation of how they might benefit
from one, and how anyone can justify that
price for a production run of mass produced
graphite sticks. I have seen the responses
to these threads from those that like them
and consider them good value, but I have not
seen an explanation of what makes them worth
the extra tariff. What will they do that
the $400 rod's want, or even the mid range
TFO's? There in lies the mystery as I see
it. Warm regards, Jim

[D. Micus]

Thanks Jim. Tell you what, if anyone is willing to send me one of those $700 rods I'd be happy to give it the test.

I fish a $200 diamondback that i won in a raffle. It has a lifetime guarantee. On good days I throw the entire line. What more do i need it to do?

[Betty Hiner]

Well, Dave...How 'bout the new Abel vise that's selling for $700.00. It's a must have! Hand painted in your favorite fish colors, it must turn out better flies, huh?

------------------
Trouts don't live in ugly places

[ohiotuber]

Dave,
I'm really just, at best, an average flyfisher, so I'm probably not qualified to say much. I look at "high dollar" rods as I look at cars...will a Mercedes or Cadillac do more of the basic function than, say, a Honda?....I don't think to a measurable degree in relation to how much more they cost, but if someone has sacrificed enough to be able to afford those rods (or cars), & wants 1 (or more),I say "Go for it!". We all have different wants & needs...that's why there are so darned many rod makers out there.

[Rich Ward]

If some one was to explain it to your sadisfaction would you buy one?

Rich

[D. Micus]

i'd buy two

[D. Micus]

make that three