Steve's Question:

How much difference does an expensive fly rod make? Is a $500 fly rod really five times better than one costing around $100? Or are you paying for the brand name and fancy window dressing, like nickel silver hardware, better cork and exotic wood?

Steve

Mark's Answer:

Steve,

Performance-wise, there's not a lot of difference between a $500 rod and a $150 rod. The biggest differences in performance come with comparing $150 rods and all rods below this price. You can buy a dependable $100 rod — several companies make them but by the same token, without mentioning product names, you can buy a real stinker. In this price range, you get what you pay for.

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But in the $150 to $300 range, it's difficult to go wrong. The most noticeable difference between these rods and the higher priced rods in the $400 to $600 range will be cosmetic (like you mention, the finish, the nickel silver finish) and that most will be a straight taper.

To be fair, the higher dollar rods are designed for the more accomplished caster and angler. They tend to have graduated tapers, better components, grip dampening, higher graphite modulus and all the NASA-type improvements. But out on the river, if you don't care if the rod has all the foo-foo, you won't tell any difference between the $500 and the $150. Especially if you only fish 15-25 days a year.

But you are talking with someone who owns over 20 rods. I own expensive rods and I own low-end rods. I believe an angler can never have too many rods, and he or she should have a good mix of them. My wife doesn't always agree but we've come to an understanding. (I understand that I am not to buy any more rods without talking her.)

So if you are looking to get into a new rod, I would buy all the rod I could afford to get into the $150 to $300 range but after that, you're paying for looks and status.