"If rod builders would stop putting these up on a white horse an flim flaming everyone, more people could enjoy them."
I'm surprised to hear that you have been flim flaming people Capesam!
So you are saying that everyone who buys a custom rod is stupid and just buying prestige? I'm surprised you think so poorly of your fellow fisherman! Is it possible that some people know what they are doing and buy custom rods because based on their experience they think they perform better and are willing to pay for that performance?
The funniest part is that everyone I know who builds eventually comes to the conclusion that you better enjoy the craft cause there's no real money in it as a stand alone business. So who's getting rich on all this overpriced , flim flam equipment???