![Quote](images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Lotech
I tie my own flies also. After spending those (to me) ridiculous prices for hardware (rods, reels & lines) I don't have any money left for quality tied flies. Shoot, I don't even have enough for those ridiculously priced pieces of hardware. I think that like many other industries, fly fishing in general has priced a great deal of the middle class out of the market. When I was working, or when I had a financial windfall, I'd splurge and get a nice rod or reel. I even spent $60 one time for a fly line. WHEW! Now that I've been forced into retirement, like a lot of other people, the only equipment I use is either cheap or given to me. It's sad too, because I believe the current market trend has lent itself to the notion of fly fishing being an elitists sport, when it should be for the common man.
Wow! Looks like a can of worms (or flies as it were) was opened here. Sorry for the rant, but I feel better now.