“Conflicted” About $1700 Graphite Fly Rods
Not all that long ago, I thought breaking the mythical $1000 barrier for graphite fly rods would send shockwaves through the fly-fishing trade. I was wrong…
I think a $1700 fly rod is basically like a $75 ham and cheese sandwich.
It pushes the envelope of absurdity and opulence. After all, not many people legitimately have the discerning palate to assess how good they really might be. You can get a perfectly flavorful sandwich, packing equal or better caloric impact for a fraction of the cost. The same notion applies to fly rods.
But no doubt, there will be people lined up to eat them or cast them, as it were, if for no other reason than to merely claim that they ate one, or fished with one.
I’m kinda curious myself. I can’t help it.
But I’m conflicted. The voice in one ear whispers, “Jeez, just what fly fishing needs to shed the stereotype of being a snobby sport for wealthy old men.” The voice in the other ear says, “Hooray for innovation! And whatever squeaks your duck, right? If that’s your flavor, knock yourself out. This is still America (at least I think it is).”
Maybe if there was a cause connected I’d be more enthusiastic. That’s what “life membership” incentives from Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and other worthy organizations offer, right? If you’re going to spend $1500+ for a rod, you might as well save rivers and protect your access rights to fish them in the first place, no?
But alas, why bother being critical, any more than complaining about fancy engravings that make simple crack-barrel shotguns cost north of five grand… or Italian sports cars that on American roadways will realistically never approach the speeds they were designed to perform at… or $700 bottles of 10-year-old bourbon… or, dare I even say, artisan bamboo fly rods?
Ultimately, the market will decide. And this one will be interesting to track.
Not all that long ago, I thought breaking the mythical $1000 barrier for graphite fly rods would send shockwaves through the fly-fishing trade. I was wrong. That was a mere speed bump on the highway of commerce.
What do you think? Don’t you figure that there has to be a limit to how much hype people are going to swallow?
As an editor and writer who has covered fly fishing for most of my professional life–as an angler who just plain likes to fish, and cares about the future of the sport–I’m just not sure I have an appetite for the hyperbole anymore.
At least not any more than I’d crave a $75 ham sandwich.
G. Loomis has redesigned their Asquith fly rod series–describing these advanced rods as “the pinnacle of performance, technology, and craftsmanship, combining world-class blank engineering.” Starting at $1,570 for the freshwater series (6 and 7-weight) and $1,635 for the saltwater (8 – 12-weight), “they aren’t cheap” is an understatement.
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You would think that someone who opines about fly fishing products constantly for a living would have some kind of appreciation for the costs that manufacturers have with labor, materials, marketing, warranty repairs, and employer taxes. But then again, that might put Mr. Deeter in the camp of a business person instead of a professional sermonizer....Always complaining about something instead of promoting the sport that supports him.
Says the owner of a Boulder Boat and EVJeep as examples.