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I represent some of the discussion that has been kicked around.
I look at rip off, and overpriced as two different things.

Fly equipment is much like anything else....there is a range of products for consumers who want different things at different price points. At the end of the day, a beat up VW beetle will get you to work just like a new Caddy.
Same thing with reels, and rods.....all will catch fish.....just at different price points, and differences in quality and performance.

Much of what we use in flyfishing is a function of user preference. We also are somewhat at a disadvantage that for most of its history, flyfishing, and hence flyfishing equipment has not been associated with a blue collar sport.

I used to have a much higher paying job, no kids, and more disposable income......so I bought some higher end fly fishing equipment as part of the mid-life crisis prevention, and didn't want a blonde or convertible to replace my hair loss or watch dr. phil to learn more about how to feel better about myself.... Could I justify spending that kind of money today with 2 kids, and another on the way.....no.

Did the new equipment make me feel better? Probably not, I am still loosing hair, but I do like using them, and I was smiling when I put them together for the first time (and caught fish).

Anyway, I have 2 ross reel evos in 0wt and 3wt to go with matching wt sage txl, and use them almost all the time. They were expensive, but got deals on both the rods and reels online, and look at them as investments, with warranties.
Am hopeful that my girls will use them when I can no longer, and that it truly is an investment.

I have a number of less expensive sticks that I have used, and have enjoyed them too.....but do really enjoy the action and the setups for both of these rods.
I would rather have a couple of really nice reels and rods that I use, than a closet full of sticks and reels that don't get on the water.

Just my 2 cents......and happy monday!
0wt

J:

I would agree, and that the costs are higher than they should be.
One thing is that several of the higher cost reels are made in US and machined here....higher labor costs, etc.

I guide part time and warranties are important to me in that aspect. I am in the process of trying to pick up some equipment at more reasonable prices, that also have warranties.

On a side note, and one that I see as a positive, Cabelas and BPS are selling rods and reels that are being made by some of the bigger firms at pretty reasonable prices.
For example, Cabelas has a watershed fly reel that is really a ross evo cage (machined a little different) and a ross airius spool that is about $80-100 less than a ross evo.

Part of it is probably supply and demand........lots of big box retailers selling cheap stuff (although ugly sticks are pretty good rods for the price point for spinning)......

With luck, if more people are chucking feathers than worms, prices will be lower.