Lefty Kreh

[john_in]

Silver,

You have to admit that people like you can afford 1,000 dollar rods, but many people can't. Given your education and profession, you belong to those successful individuals in this society who can enjoy fly fishing in any way you want. But most people, especially the young people, can't. Fortunately, people don't have to buy expensive rods to start fly fishing today. They can buy a rod around 100 dollars that has the quality of a 300 dollars rod in the past.

Expensive is a relative term and I submit the proposition that for most fly fishers, what a fly fisher considers "expensive" changes as they becomes more accomplished fly fishers. I submit that we (myself included) impose our own value system when we discuss the cost of fly fishing.

I also submit that no one is forced or needs to buy an expensive fly rod or equipment to enjoy or learn fly fishing.

I also submit that Lefty Kreh has limited his comments to new equipment and ignored the availability and cost of used equipment. So Lefty states that new rods are too expensive but what about the availability of used equipment or the steep closeout discounts on rods, reels and lines when new products are introduced. My conclusion is that Lefty; and also, we have tilted the table by totally ignoring what is available if the buyer does some research. It is analogous to stating that housing and automobiles are too expensive because new houses and new cars are costly, and they have to buy the luxury houses and automobiles. What? Does a renter or bus rider really have to buy a luxury new house or a luxury new car? Of course not. Similarly, a person who wants to get into fly fishing can buy used equipment or cheap new rods and reels if they have a very limited budget.

[okflyfisher]

Lefty is one of the really great ambassadors of our sport. Joe Brooks inspired my early fly fishing, Polly Rosborough advanced my tying , and Lefty Kreh came later possibly because of his association with saltwater

[Jayatwork]

As I see it, part of the problem is that we have convinced people that they need a high end rod to catch a fish.

Other than playing around with Dad's South Bend bamboo, my first fly rod was an Eagle Claw glass rod. It cost $20 in 1978. It was not a very good rod but I had fun with it. $20 in 1978 is equal to about $74 today. That's not much less than the Echo Base, and I guarantee the Echo is a MUCH better fly rod. There are other sources of even less expensive rods out there. Yes, if you want a made in USA, lifetime warranty, premium name brand rod, your going to pay for it. I believe higher quality equipment has it's advantages, but if you simply can't afford it there are options.

[john_in]

I agree.
One of the things we can do on this website is to share the information on the good but inexpensive fly rod and reel. I know, there are many reviews out there. But most of the reviews are for the rods above 200 dollars. It is the 100 dollars or less rods that are wanted by the beginners and the intermediate level fly fishers, the majority of fly fishers.

As I see it, part of the problem is that we have convinced people that they need a high end rod to catch a fish.

Other than playing around with Dad's South Bend bamboo, my first fly rod was an Eagle Claw glass rod. It cost $20 in 1978. It was not a very good rod but I had fun with it. $20 in 1978 is equal to about $74 today. That's not much less than the Echo Base, and I guarantee the Echo is a MUCH better fly rod. There are other sources of even less expensive rods out there. Yes, if you want a made in USA, lifetime warranty, premium name brand rod, your going to pay for it. I believe higher quality equipment has it's advantages, but if you simply can't afford it there are options.

[The Chronicler]

There are some good thoughts here. I agree with Jayatwork that the business of fly fishing is to convince anglers to buy new and more expensive equipment. The practice of fly fishing does not require expensive equipment to be enjoyed or to be successful. If you have read my articles over the years you have heard me and JC preach this mantra for many years. I also agree with Silver Creek that if you want to buy expensive fly fishing gear that is your right to do so, and if it makes you feel that you are a better fly fisher because of it that's OK too, even though it might be just a mental thing. And yes, to some extent expensive is in the eye of the beholder. I doubt that Bill Gates or Warren Buffett would consider $1000.00 for a fly rod or $500.00 for a fly reel expensive, but most of us don't roll in those circles.

[Byron haugh]

Although not required, I have really appreciated the feel, light weight, and accuracy of cast that I get from some of the higher end fly rods. This summer, on the banks of the Henry's Fork, a fellow representing Sage Rods had his van there in the parking lot. He had a host of new "high end" rods available for all day for anyone who cared to try them out. It is one thing to "feel" a rod inside a shop, but a much more satisfying experience to fish with one for several hours on the stream. I happen to prefer Winston's action over Sage rods in the same category, but I did try one of their newest low (and I mean LOW) profile rods. The rod had almost no weight (It was a 9 ft. for 5 wt.), and is very thin. It cast exceptionally well and I really enjoyed fishing it that afternoon.
I think all fly fishing equipment is sort of "over-priced", but that sort of goes with the territory with what is in reality something of a niche industry, I think, anyway. There still seems to be additional quality in the higher end market of rods......it seems to me, anyway..

[Silver Creek]

My late friend Jim Greenlee was a lifelong fly fisher. After he bought Weinbrenner boot company, he began manufacturing the Gary Borger Ultimate wading boot. He provided start up funding for several companies including Korkers, Islander Reels, and Streambrook (a Canadian company that cofounded TFO fly rods). When Sage and Simms were for sale, he had his takeover accountants go over the "books" for both companies. What he found was that the return on investment was pitiful at the price they wanted for the companies.

I have no idea what the ROI is at this time. However, I think the only way small US companies that design and manufacture entirely in the USA can survive is to manufacture for the premium market with higher profit margins.