Yeah. China knocks out several million Adams, Woolly Buggers, Clousers, and stock patterns, most likely tied by children in sweat shops, and they sell them over here for next to nothing. There is no way a tier here can compete on that level. And IMO most anglers that don't tie, don't even realize the difference in quality between a mass Chinese-tied Pheasant-Tail Nymph, or an American-tied one. They probably think they are just going to lose it somewhere anyway, long before it wears out, so why pay more than you have to?

On a personal note, I don't think I have ever bought a fly in my life. I learned to tie long before I ever touched a fly rod. I can't imagine fly fishing, without tying my own flies.