That’s all that matters Perch.
Any way I look at it Im glad for what Ive got.
Well Said.
Jeff
Actually this is one of my my most favoritest fly fishing topics to discuss. My opinions are well documented in past posts. But to perhaps summarize, I’ll buy one of these “new and improved” rods when “Helios freezes over”. 
I have absolutely no need or desire for one.
Mark
Perch, after reading your post, you have a level head.
But the gear you have is not the best and you admit that. You got a kick $ deal on a good Orvis rod and you love it.
With all due respect, do you know how a $600+ rod feels to fish all day? How often do you fish?
These are just honest questions and not ment to stir anything up. You have stated very well where you stand.
Marco, why do you always sound offended when someone mentions a $600+ rod :lol: :lol: :lol:
FG,
And here I thought I would be challenged for my use of " favoritest" . Me? Offended? Never!
My perspective of fly fishing starts at the fly and proceeds up the line to for about 20 feet or so. Past that point, it don’t make no never mind to me.
Mark
Perch, I have to jump in here and agree with you, because everything you "said’, spoke more about fly fishing than the last 5 books I’ve read on the topic.
It’s already been said and said well, also; "It doesn’t mean SQUAT, whether or not you’re rod’s expensive, if the person slinging it, doesnt know HOW to cast properly. Obviously, you have no trouble casting very well, as you also, obviously, really love and enjoy your equipment.
Some one mentioned “Do you know, what it’s LIKE to cast a $600.00 rod all day?” Hmmmmm. Well, that to me, sounds more like; “Do you know, what it’s like to cast $600.00 worth of rod company hype all day?” Or, as many of us love to do… saying it in Latin… “Do you know what it’s like to cast a lot of ego all day?”
So, since I often, “fish all day” with one of my $2,500.00 boo sticks, I must be A HELL OF A CASTER, right? Well, let’s just say that- “I’ve seen less foam, on great beers, than when I sometimes leave a pool where I’ve been casting”.
"It’s all “location, location, location”, when hyping real estate and in our sport, it seems that it’s more and more becoming “label name, label name, label name”. If some guy in his garage. came up with a fly rod that would and could, “throw 90’ of line and set a fly on a pin head, at that distance too”, for every person that picked one of his rods up, regardless of his/her skill level and he named his new rod invention; “The Billy Bob Go Get-Em Stick” and he priced them at $29.95, with JC Penny’s as his sole outlet… he’d sell one rod. And, that’d be to his mother.
But, of course, solely because of the fact that a new rod says “Orvis”, or "Sage, or “Winston”, in front of the winding check it’s "GOT TO BE worth, the $6-7-8-hundred dollar asking price! Heavens! How could it NOT be? After all, weren’t we TOLD, that it was?
Yes, of course, I’m the first and the last, to admit that owning a GOOD quality fly rod CAN and WILL make one a better caster, simply because a GOOD fly rod, does what a fly rod is supposed to do, when it’s handled correctly.
I guess Perch got me “thunking” again about what we all spend on our gear and “why” we spend, what we do. I admit, too, that I also own T & T, Sage, Winston, and even two Christian Brink rods, besides my boo sticks. I own these rods, however, without a single thought to “what they cost” or “Because I paid a bundle for them, they just HAVE TO do what I can’t do with a much cheaper product”, because I also own and LOVE a few TFOs.
$800.00 graphite fly rods, sell, because they’re made for fly fishing, not for tournament bass fishing. They’re also made and their price is accepted, because the rod companies KNOW that fly fishermen will GLADLY lay down the cash for them, without blinking an eye.
What’s it going to be NEXT? Really. How much MORE can be done to graphite, to justify rod prices going over $1,000.00 the next time when say, "Helios II comes on the market?
If there’s still “so much more, left, to do with graphite rods”, then WHY is fiberglass and Boron once again, catching the rod designer’s eye and imaginations?
Here’s my spin on a lot of whats been said in this thread Or rather my stand on rod’s and where I think the market topped out…For Me…
Around 10 to 12 years ago I bought…at the time…St Croix’s Top O The line rod In a 7’6" 3wt… This rod is STILL my 1. Most expensive rod, Barring a few Bamboo’s… 2. Favorite Rod to fish… 3.Just as good as any shop’s rods That I’ve felt a need to fondle in the years since!
This was back before they ever felt a need to pin Ultra or Elite infront of this rods model name…I own Many others…But most were not near as spendy as this one…I’m still very happy with this rod!!!
I was wondering if this much hatred was thrown Sage’s way when the $700+ TCR hit the market or is it just fashionable to bash Orvis?
I still remember the gasps at the tackle purveyor I frequented as a kid when the Fenwick HMG rods hit the racks with a $100+ price point. While I was more interested in flashy baits and jars of salmon eggs in those days; the comments from the fly fishing crowd sounded similar to what I’m hearing now.
Hmmm, let’s see that was about $600 dollars ago if I remember correctly?
Nope, no end in sight; fish what you like, need or can afford but if junior has a hankering for high priced tackle you better open another savings fund for him so he can afford it.
Some fellows want a Ferrari, when a Kia will do
And some fellows drive a Kia, ?cause a Ferrari can?t be
But show me the fellow that think?s they?re the same
And I?ll show you a fellow that can?t see
I’ve cast a lot of rods. I’m one of those pests that hangs around fly shops and asks to cast all the rods. Plus i’ve been known to buy and sell a few rods. :lol:
I don’t use a high end rod to stroke my ego or show off. Show off to who? I fish alone 100% of the time. I like a rod that looks good. It’s for my own personal pleasure. When I assemble it, or i’m taking it apart. When i’m fishing with it, or sitting in front of the TV polishing it. A Winston is beautiful and it makes me smile just looking at it. It also casts like a dream to me. I don’t get the same feel with a less expensive rod. It’s also light. At 2 5/8 oz for a 9’ 5wt rod, it’s not too hard to take. It makes it easy to fish all day.
I feel the same way with the reel. I know I don’t need the reel I have (Abel Creek), but I love the sound (C&P) and the workmanship. It also brings a smile to my face. It’s a feel good item.
Will the rod and reel catch more fish? Of course not. Although it may be a bit more accurate than a cheaper rod, but that’s up for debate.
There’s more to fly fishing than catching fish. There’s the sights, sounds, and smells. The equipment you use is certainly part of it.
Enjoy fly fishing for all it offers. If nice equipment is part of that for you? Don’t deprive yourself.
“Tom Rosenbauer, Orvis’ rod and tackle marketing director, said the company came up with a way to use a lighter, less-dense scrim and lighter resins to take 30% to 35% of the weight out of the rod blanks. It also pared 20% out of the weight of the carbon fiber reel seat.”
Then why does it cost so d amn much when they took so much out!!! 
Ever notice when they take out sugar in foods it cost more? I mean they aren’t taking it out. They aren’t putting it in. Why should that cost more?
The Arkansas River starts in Colorado. It’s a 5 minute walk from where I live.
Pete,
You lucky dog!
Envy is a very bad thing. I’m deeply envious of your choice of living location…
Jeff
Hey there Bam,
I don’t think any here would argue with your point. I ,and some here simply wish not to pay perhaps 1000 percent more for 50 percent more favorable utility. Some see, recognize and want the added utility, and even after fly fishing for 30+ years I don’t feel I need it. I also attach no opinion to anyone who goes either way on this issue. It’s already been said, " whatever you like" ( paraphrased). Some of my Wyo fishing partners refuse to use my home, sweat built car-top rod carrier ( Rube Goldberg helped) when travelling even a few miles from spot to spot for fear of a road stone accident. They are much younger with grey hair. Mine came with age only ( and much accumulated wisdom
Mark
PS: I do however (speaking from the other side of my face) buy Orvis shirts and other clothing.
I am discerning about those purchases and only buy if it plainly states “ORVIS” somewhere where YOU can see it.
I was very careful on where I moved to. I did a lot of research. My main objective was it had to have a lot of waters to go fly fishing, and they had to be close.
Within a short drive I have the Arkansas, Frying pan, Roaring Fork, Taylor, and So Platte. Plus enough small streams and lakes to last a life time.
This is fishing heaven.
Within a short drive I have the Arkansas, Frying pan, Roaring Fork, Taylor, and So Platte. Plus enough small streams and lakes to last a life time.
This is fishing heaven
Pete,
Want to adopt a son?
I’m 47, I don’t eat too much (OK, that’s a lie)
I don’t somke (cigars on the stream but not in the house).
I bathe frequently enough that you won’t smell me (at least the first two weeks of the month)
I’d have to quit my job and become a trout bum so, like any good son, you’d have to support me. (my wife would get everything but my fishing equipment anyway).
I do come with my own fishing equipment and just enough other bad habits to make life interesting (I play bluegrass music on guitar, but at least it’s not a banjo…)
I’m opinionated and will argue with a sign post (at least that’s what my late grandfather said).
So, what 'ya say? Ready to adopt an overgrown son?
Jeff
LOL…You wouldn’t like living with me. I f-art a lot.
Some of you guys are doing it wrong. I have a low-mid priced sage rod I got real cheap at a close out sale. It casts well, although the same cannot be said for me.
When I’m asked what rod I use by someone of the flyfishing fraternity I just say I will only fish a sage. This gets me “sage level respect.” No need to tell them it is the low end of the sage line and I only have one.
When my non fly fishing friends say anything about the cost of flyfishing I tell them Yah your right its very expensive, my rod alone costs $2,000 bux. This hopefully keeps them off the lakes and streams where I fish.
We fly fishers need the pricey rods to Keep up our snobby reputations. Otherwise all the riff raff will join us and that would bring down our status as the supreme sportsmen that we are.
Barnum was a flipping genius!
Disclaimer: Please note the above was all said with my tongue firmly pressed into my cheek. :lol:
What did Barnum know anyway? He had a bunch of clowns working for him.
He also had some of the biggest Lions of the industry at his command. :shock:
Pete,
Me too! I’ll take the spare room in the back, or I can even sleep on the couch. 8)
Jeff