Why does a fly rod and reel cost so damn much?

[Pete_G]

I hadn't stopped by this forum in a while, so that's why I'm digging this thread up.

Temple Fork is our best selling fly rod these days. Overall they have been great for the industry; people can now get into fly fishing with quality gear at a good price and a lifetime warranty.

As for reels, that one is a little tougher. Here is where picking the right product matters. Stripers and blues don't kill fly reels. Even albies and bonito usually don't. But real tuna do. If your drag can't dump heat it's going to die, just like conventional and spin gear.

The other thing that kills fly reels is corrosion. In most cases, the higher priced reels are definitely built to withstand the salt better. Remember the Redington AL 9/10? Decent little reel but it had bearings in it that rusted if you looked at them wrong.

Tiogas are still one of the best reels going for the money. You can drag it across the rocks, thru the sand, forget to wash it and it keeps on going. $150 for a 9-10 sized reel that will last almost as long as the $600 ones. Just don't attach it to a real tuna.

[fishweewee]

Anyone in the market for a Charlton 8500 1.2 with spare spools? (Excellent condition).

[reelecstasy]

I shopped around at the expo for a rod.. Ron Arra set me up with a 9' 9wt Lamiglass...and at a price I could never say no to, membership has it's privileges...

[jeffsod]

High prices could possibly be attibuted to two factors:
1. Volume
2. Lifetime Warranty

I am guessing that there are no where near as many fly rods sold as freshwater or saltwater spin fishing rods. Economies of scale.

Someone has to pay for the replacement of all those rods that get busted in car or storm doors.


I think as Peter mentioned the Tiogas are a great proven reel for the money. I have the lighter version and am happy with it.

Of course my first reel was a $50.00 Pflueger 1495 &1/2 and that has landed me a number of really nice Stripers largest being about 24lbs on the flats of Monomoy. Those fish didn't seem to mind it was only a cheap reel.