Fly Rod Cost

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"How much should I spend on a fly rod?"

You can spend $50 . . . or you can spend $2500 on a fly rod.  All will catch fish.  And the fish won't know the difference.

But $100-$200 for a rod is a pretty good "round figure" to consider.

Buying a fly rod is kind of like buying a car.  Some folks select a car that looks good to others who see you drive by.  Another car buyer goes for the "practical" variety:  much less costly, but one they know will get them where they need to go over a long period of time.  And so it is with buying a fly rod.

Which type buyer are you?

The basics

We are not aware of any fly rods, generally available in the conventional marketplace today, that provide the basic features we describe in this course, that are other than very good products that will give you years of trouble-free service.

The quality of manufacture and the durability of individual components combined with broad selection, give all fly rod buyers a level of comfort and value that is hard to exceed in many other consumer items.

The features which add to the cost of a fly rod purchased "over the counter" in retail outlets (whether in stores, catalogs, or on the internet) move beyond the basic needs of most beginning fly fishers pretty quickly.  In other words, the amount you pay above the price level of what the manufacturer calls an "entry level" fly rod, can quickly become an expenditure for cosmetic, rather than performance enhancing qualities.   (It's like paying extra to get the flashier wheel covers for your car rather than the standard ones:  it adds nothing to the car's performance, just to the way it looks.)

The fish won't care

The cost of your fly rod does not matter one iota to the fish.  They won't notice whether the rod is "top of the line", with all the latest fandangles, or if it is a "plain jane".  As long as when using the rod you can effectively cast the appropriate weight line, using the right flies, over the right water, to willing fish  . . . you will enjoy the same results without you or the fish caring a hoot what the rod cost.

The most important element in selection of a fly rod should not start with how much it costs, but how it performs for you.