Here is the way I see this…
It is all a marketing thing…
Let’s face it, our forefathers of this great sport of fly fishing, whose names we know and books are written on, are known not by what vehicle they drove to the river, not by whose vest they wore, not by whose rod they used, not by whose fly tying material they used. We know them from what they have done for this great sport. Their names became important to us from their works not how they dressed or what equipment they used. This new generation of fly fishers can afford to look the part which in their own mind and many younger followers, makes them look like they have contributed a lot to the sport and if the truth was know, they have contributed more to the equipment companies and very little to the sport. People are making more money now and they can look like they are “all knowing” from what equipment they use and how they look (walking billboards). Fortunately for us older folks, the equipment they purchase to “look the part” so that they “fit in” to the latest trend can be bought for very little money once they decide to change sports. There are a lot of people who are not fly fishing for what the sport gives in return which is beautiful surroundings, beautiful water, wild flowers, peaceful surroundings, solitude, open space, etc… They are fly fishing because “mister big shot” fly fishes and if I look the part he may offer me a postion with his company and I will make more money.
There is nothing wrong with any rod company making rods and asking the prices they ask as long as there are people willing to pay the price. I feel there is a difference between the feel of a top dollar rod and a low dollar rod as long as the top dollar rod is quality built, and the way technology has progressed, the newer rods built with the latest knowledge on material should and will be more comfortable to use and have better “feel” and sensitivity which are good points and technology costs more. No one knows how much it costs to change rod making tools and materials to rebuild a new rod with new materials and tools. This addictional cost will be figured into the final cost of the product.
Yes, I own some top dollar rods from Sage and I do feel they fish better for me than the low end rods I started with and still own. Yes, I can catch as many fish with the lower end rods as I can with the top end rods, but, the top end rods are lighter and more sensitive and after fishing them all day, I am not wore out. I have helped others on the river with their fishing skills and have asked them to swap rods with me and they are amazed with the differences they can feel with using a rod that is better built than the one they presently are using. I honestly feel all new comers to fly fishing should start out with a lower end rod and once they have the basics of fly fishing down, then move to better equipment. Starting out this way, they will appreciate better equipment and what it can do for their fishing.
Everyone dances to a different tune and money rules with some and does not mean anything to others. To each their own and the equipment companies will cater to those with the money and in the end, I guess everyone will get something out of all of it.
For me, in the end, I hopefully, will get to purchase some “used” top dollar equipment at prices that I can afford! 
Now lets all go fishing with whatever equipment we may have that we are comfortable using and enjoy using…
