Gene Cottrell wrote:

That's what keeps the manufacturers afloat. As long as they keep thinking up
stuff, good or bad doesn't matter, fishermen will buy it. I've been
flyfishing for over 50 years and there have been only a very few
improvements in equipment/materials, but there have been tens of thousands
of "new and improved" stuff put on the market. And, yes, I've been sucked
into buying a few more than I'm ready to admit to.

Gene



I agree with you that there is an industry to support and that there has
been alot of junk pawned off on us but there are a number of things that
have significantly improved in the last 50 years. IMO, tippet material
is probably #1, Waders are number 2 - 50 years ago waders SUCKED!, a
cheap rod today casts better than the most expensive of 50 years ago (I
know the bamboo/glass guys will disagree), Hooks are better quality, Dry
fly hackles have improved GREATLY, raingear is better and sporting
clothing as a whole is better, I'm sure I'm forgetting a number of
things....

Willi