When you are the only fly fisher around, it's easy to be snobbish with your $30 rod.

Seriously, When I first started, it was closer to your theory of the cane pole tradition. I just couldn't justify $1000 for tackle to catch fish I had caught all my life with less expensive gear. Before I took up fly fishing, other than a well stocked tackle box, the most expensive piece of fishing gear I owned was an Garcia 5500C reel.

Almost a decade later I have rods that vary greatly in price, and value. But I can't see myself buying one of those really expensive, fancy painted reels.

And I still fish most often with a four piece four weight I built on a $15 blank from rod-banks.com.

Fits like an old pair of sneakers.

Jim