An old friend that has joined many of our fly fishing outings over the years decided that he and his girl friend should learn to fly fish, she ties by the way.
So off he goes to our area's best (and largest) sporting goods shop.
sure enough the first salesman directed him to a $550.00 rod that "He just had to Have if he was going to fish properly!" With a lot of credit to the integrity of the store another salesman took over and he left with a very nice St Croix 7.5' 5wgt rod and an Umpqua reel with backing, line and leader for under $120.00. The second salesman, realizing he was a beginner directed him to the low end $30.00 rods and let go up from there.
My faith is restored and so is my friends'.

P.S. He then bought waders too.

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Cactus