Two thoughts here. I have gear that I use and I have gear that I will let other people use. Learned that the hard way. I once had a set of custom made Powell 9ft plugging rods. They make fly rods but at one time did make some spinning blanks. These were really sweet rods. One day, I'm out on the clearwater with a guy I work with. We decided to stop and rig up some lead and try some drifting. I did not really pay attention trying of course to be the first with my line in the water. SO... This guy asks me how much lead should I put on??? I answer " how ever much you think its gonna take to get it down".. Next he casts and says "crap" I look over and he has like 8 inches of lead hanging off the now broken tip of the rod. Thats my fault the way I see it. The other one meet its end when I stuck it broken down behind the seat of my truck. I close the door. Damn door wont close... better slam it harder.. still won't close.. sup with that?? The rod had slide out and was now being totally mangled by my own dumb ass...I loved those rods.

I still have some pretty spendy gear. I have maybe 3000 bucks worth of fly rods I have bought or built over the years. I have some GLOOMIS spinning rods and a couple of Lamiglass also. But the point here is that I also have a couple of 9 ft Ugly sticks with some Shimono reels that cost maybe 100 bucks for the whole setup. These are loaners that I let other people use. The largest steelhead I have ever seen in my life was caught on a spoon and one of these cheap rods. This brings to mind something my dad always told me.

" It ain't the arrow son, its the indian"

I agree with points made by both sides on this issue. Yes, the price of top of the line rods and reels are increasing, especially reels which are now doing some catch-up. But Salmontackler is right on with his viewpoint. There are many factors relating to fishing success, ability to read water, good polarized sunglasses, etc., etc. But, all factors being equal, the "little" things will really make the difference, and this includes using a quality rod and reel setup. One should buy the highest quality rod and reel combo that he/she can afford.

On another note, I recently had the opportunity to land a good springer with a friend's "Shakespeare Intrepid" rod while banking it on a peninsula river. I saw the same rod on sale at Outdoor Emporium for $40. I was thinking about getting one as a backup that I can leave in the trunk permanantly in case one of my loomies breaks. "Quality" but relatively dirt cheap.

Reel
I'm with you all the way. Add into the equation people like myself who love to fish with floats. I don't need a 400.00 set up to set the hook with after watching my bobber disappear. I fish with a cabela's rod and a 5501 which I picked up at a garage sale for 30 bucks. I land just as many fish as my buddy who uses high end gear to float fish with. I always enjoy reading your posts.


[This message has been edited by novice (edited 05-09-2000).]

If your think that is $$ check out the top end fly gear. Makes spinning/casting rods reels look cheap. Casting reels with 100 parts a magnetic drag, multipling ratios, teflon bearing for a $100 bucks Fly reels with no drag 4 parts cage, spring, pawl and spool for $300. go figure

thick

Just finished reading most of the comments. Almost all of you guys fish with a loomis or lamiglas rod and use a shimanno or garcia reel. looks like we all agree on what to spend on rods and reels. I would agree that rod prices are out of control, I don't think most people can tell the difference when you get up past the $150-$200 range, you just need something that suits your style. Reels are a different story, a cabelas or shakespeare reel are going to be in pieces after landing 100 or 200 salmon. you might not think you'll catch that many, but if you fish hard you will before long. I hate replacing gear, I look at it as a one time investment, and it better stand the punishment for what I pay, if it doesn't the company usually replaces or repairs it. I still use my grandfathers fly reels, but a good solid smooth drag system on a fly reel for a 30 pound fish is the difference between landing it and losing it