That trend doesn't seem to be very widespread up here yet. I know of
one shop that carries Redington and another that carries St Croix.
All the others have only high $ name brand rods. Not much of a
selection for seven fly shops.....

I agree Warren. Kind of strange up here in Big Sky Country.
The shops keep saying how tough it is right now, but you ask
them about TFO or Elkhorn, etc and they try and steer your
right back to Sage, Scott, Winston, etc. Nothing wrong with
those rods, but I don't understand why they don't try and
compete with the Scheel's and other big name sporting goods
stores that carry the less expensive rods.