"riverman" wrote in message
...
SNIP

Add to that: using gear that you made yourself, but which is technically
inferior to some mass-produced product, offers some additional benefits in
the realm of learning, understanding and fun that is otherwise missed. For
those who appreciate the deeper aspects of fishing (or any pasttime),
knowing and understanding the limitations of their own medium-quality
handmade gear is much more sublime and fulfilling than being able to buy
the
most expensive, top-of-the-line commercial gear.

Its like performers who play their own songs from the heart, rather than
compete to do perfect imitations of cover songs.

--riverman



Actually, much "home-made" gear is technically and otherwise superior to the
manufactured products. This of course depends almost entirely on how far you
are prepared to go in making it, and the available resources.

Making your own rod rings ( guides), for instance, excepting some special
circumstances, requires far more knowledge, equipment, material and effort
than it could possibly be worth. In this case, it would be rather pointless,
even silly, to try making better ones yourself. The best manufactured items
are of extremely good quality, and not that expensive. Much the same
applies to hooks, and a number of other things.

Rods, reels,and many other items are not that difficult to make really, and
are often superior to manufactured models. Also "custom built" articles, be
it rods or flies etc etc, are exactly suited to your needs and wishes. This
will practically never be the case with manufactured items.

TL
MC