Rods under $200

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

Saw this on another board and thought the article gives lots of good info. Glad to see the Elkhorn on the list.

http://www.flyrodreel.com/Fly-Rod-and-Reel-Online/April-2008/Gear-Review-13-Budget-and-Backup-Rods/

2

Nice reviews and those price points are all list price. Many of those rods can be found at substaintial savings.

Rick

3

Where?? Name a major rod manufacturer that does not prevent its dealers from selling below msrp unless the rod is on clearance or the shop is closing???

4

EBay, Sierra Trading Post, Bob Mariots, and many many other places. I like to buy good equipment, I just don’t pay retail. By the way if the rod is last year’s model or a close out I have no issues with that. I will leave the latest greatest to someone who has to have it more than I do.

Here are some specific links:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ELKHORN-FLY-ROD-NEW-908-3-BIG-GAME-9-8-WEIGHT-3PC-259_W0QQitemZ310061281391QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item310061281391

This is a lifetime rod that retailed at $259 that sold for $169

http://www.bobmarriottsflyfishingstore.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=8686 Many for 1/2 price

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?Ne=9000000&anyWords=&N=9001398&allWords=&exactPhrase=&allAnyWords=&searchWithin=

Many more on sale.

Have fun shopping. Like I said, those a just a few links. Shop and some of those $200 rods can be had for less.

Rick

5

I’m wondering if the warranties are significantly different for some rods in the comparison tests ??

That could explain a fair spread in the quality / performance vs price of a given rod.

( Thought about checking warranties out for each rod presented, but since I’m definitely not in the market for another rod, didn’t make the effort. )

Also, regarding Clay’s post, I’m generally in the same camp - finding good prices on higher quality equipment. BUT some of those close out deals, even if they carry a warranty, don’t really guarantee that the company will be around to honor the warranty.

For example - one rod I looked at on Sierra Trading Post looked like a great deal. When I checked the manufacturer’s website, they specified that there were NO warrantees on products purchased at discount from mail order / website retailers, such as STP.

Another example - I bought a Powell LTT 7’6" for 3 wt through STP on closeout. A rod that retailed for around $500 and proved to be worth every cent of it for casting and fishing pleasure - picked it up for around $190. But by the time I had a warranty issue with the rod, Powell was no longer able to repair / replace the rod. They did honor the warranty to the extent they could, and provided a replacement that was the best match in their VERY LIMITED line of fly rods, but it was a significantly less expensive rod ( at retail ) and not nearly so good a rod on the water.

I don’t know how big an effect warranties have on price overall or on any given rod. I personally would rather buy a quality rod with a limited warranty for something less than a comparable rod with an unlimited lifetime warranty, and take care of it. Others prefer otherwise, and would be well advised to check with the manufacturer before buying.