A friend and I often find ourselves, while not bemoaning the latest calamity that has kept us from actually fishing, discussing some aspect of the current landscape of equipment and the perceived value that we could find in some new items. Or… more so, the lack of value we could potentially find in some of those new items. A kind of exercise to collectively convincing each other to keep our miserly wallets closed and not succumb to the tantalizing allure of an increase of up to x% of some aspect of the old gear that surely has kept us from the potential quantity and quality of legendary fish that modern marketing departments tell us is surely to be our future.
Inevitably our collectively squirrel like attention spans sent us down the rabbit hole of discussing what has been the best “Bang For Your Buck” piece of equipment, rod, reel, line whatever that you've had in your time in this sport. We discussed quite a few different things that we considered we've had the most use, enjoyment or whatever you consider to have gained value from, or the Best "Bang For Your Buck" (BFYB). The topic ranged widely and challenged each other with items that were used past their expected use and showed value, even while being expensive. He brought up breathable waders, which made me think of my set of Simms G3 waders that outlived even my imagination. Likewise, he has some that outlived even those but spent a fraction of the cost on, surely a better value, right?
The fly-tying aspect of this conversation is probably even a deeper exercise in value for the use that we’ve received from different items, I can put my Renzetti Traveler up there with almost anything as a great value for what I’ve gotten out of it. From the more expensive we discussed things down to simple things like bobbins that maybe cost a couple bucks decades ago that still are being used, to better quality bobbins purchased for a bit more and maybe even still used as a “go to”. Surely those things as a percentage of time in one’s hand must be considered the all time leader in the chase for the coveted BFYB award.
It was an interesting conversation, as between us we figured we had a good 70+ years of experience in fly fishing and tying and there were some interesting things brought up. Items such as a specific spool of tippet that I’ve kept in my pack but used supper sparingly, it has always been there when rarely needed, but when it was needed it was perfect. I paid what a buck or three fifteen years ago and it’s bailed me out many a time, haven’t used it hardly at all but its value has been extraordinary at times, but best BFYB?... probably not. I thought of a spate of woolly buggers I tied up as giveaways at a show I presented at that I still pluck from to this day and fish….. at the time my fingers flew faster than the fewer than anticipated attendees could grab’em so to this day you’ll still see a “sport-show” bugger in my box.
We talked about rods and then reminisced about outings and the almost impossible to count or recall numbers of fish caught by them, were they the best "BFYB"? An old TFO Pro I have has probably been on ninety percent of my midweight rod size outings. I paid very little for it at the time, so that must be considered in the running for the BBFYB, if not the winner, surely on my Mt. Rushmore of value.
Tubes, fins, a vest, a lucky pair of sunglasses... This is a category that almost won for me as recently, after a decade or so of pupil protecting use, my favorite pair of just perfectly tinted polarized gas station sunglasses slipped the pocket and slowly sunk to the ever-deepening sediment of a favorite aging prairie lake. What about a net, I’ve had some for years that smell so rank it even the mangiest local cats won’t go near, but those could be both invaluable but also often forgotten as I head out the door, so is there value in something so often overlooked?
Reels are a strong category, he mentioned an old Orvis Battenkill that has served him since the 70’s.. and as I know anything from the 70’s is really starting to feel its age, so for him to still be using it, that’s a great value. Cabela’s once sold, very briefly, a spectacular reel made by Ross that I could afford at the time and purchased a few that are still my main 6wt reels. Those cost a bit more, but they have been used without hesitation for years, the value I’ve received from those has been immense. That led me to focus on a reel I eventually placed in the top three.
I have an old Okuma Sierra reel I maybe paid $15 for at the time that still holds a 5wt line. For years that was my absolute workhorse, my everyday carry, as they say. Eventually I upgraded to the aforementioned reel, but that thing still is used not only for my own fishing, but its on one of my “guest” rods that I hand to someone hoping in for in impromptu outing, and it’s used on rods for teaching. That’s been a great bang for the few bucks I paid, not only to me but to others as well. That makes it a solid second place on my list.
Ultimately the one category that was a recurring theme was something you simply cannot fly fish without, the fly lines. We both have lines that we’ve used for decades, and by decades, it’s not just a saying, I mean I have used some lines regularly for well past fifteen and pushing or exceeding twenty years of use. He brought up a Cortland Pike line that’s been tossed at more slime than congress, I brought up a simple Scientific Anglers floating line that has just recently graduated to the perfect sink tip that still lands me bluegills by the bucketful. However, my ultimate winner for BEST BANG FOR MY BUCK is an old Airflo Freshwater Tactical Clear intermediate 6wt line.
Being a stillwater focused angler there simply has not been an item I’ve used more; more consistently, and more successfully than that 6wt clear intermediate line. It’s caught darn near every species of prairie fish from an inch long to thirty or more. I figure I must have bought that line back in ’07 or ’08 or so and I don’t think I paid more than $30-40 dollars for it.
Intangibly that line may also account for a factor that’s tough to quantify with numbers or time and that’s joy. Simply stated, some of the most joy and fulfillment has been achieved in fly fishing while using that line along a stand of bullrushes or slightly below the surface above some sunken structure. Buggers, nymphs, poppers, soft hackles, streamers, you name it, I’ve fished it from the film to the muck. Dollar for dollar and hour for hour that intermediate line has been the Best Bang For the Buck I’ve ever spent in my years of this fly fishing adventure. It’s a darn shame its finally giving up the ghost this year, and even more difficult is the reality that there just simply is not on the planet an equal to its performance and qualities in existence today.
Reflecting on that, brought us to also consider that even though we have a few of those old lines that were and to a degree are still providing value, there are a lot of lines that were not so great either. Theres been some coiled mess of logic defying knots and frustrations. So when we do look at all the newfangled gadgetry and graphitery upheld before use to lustfully dream about, the next best bang is probably going to be a fly line. Now the bucks paid for a new line is probably worth another article or three of its own. And although the value of those aspects is a rather personal preference, the reality is, we need them. And those needs can be customized in a way today to suit almost anything with quality and affordability options galore.
So as we enter the “off season” filled with conventions and galas of marketing mayhem focused on the newest and latest and greatest most expensive, 40% more bettery products on the planet, always remember to take a breath, relax and remember what has been your “Best Bang For Your Buck” in fly fishing and tying, and why. By applying that lens to the products you’re considering, I’m willing to bet you can make a decision that’s going to provide you enjoyment and value in all your adventures.
If there’s something you think has been your BBFYB item be sure to send us a line or drop us a comment and maybe someone else can enjoy it as well, and as always have a great time taking advantage of all the opportunities, we have afforded to us…… out there in Fishkota country.