This seems to be the norm with other European products as well. Ask any Vespa owner about missing out on a big portion of a riding season because Piaggio fails miserably at determining the levels of parts to inventory for distribution. I feel you pain Byron. Many times I go to a fly shop only to find the fly tying item I need or want is on backorder for months or longer. Thankfully alternatives exist, but still its annoying. Its probably due to fly fishing being a niche market. If fly fishing was as popular as say baseball I'm sure we would not be experiencing the shortage we do with fly fishing paraphernalia.