“Yeah, but it’s just…”

Surf around on fly fishing message boards, scroll through social media, or hang out at angling events and you’ll hear this sentiment about any number of fly fishing products.

“That material is just something you can get at the craft store.”

“That hat is just a hat with a fishing patch on the front.”

“That rod is just last year’s model with different colors.”

“That fly is just a woolly bugger with dumbbell eyes.”

“That shirt is just a quick-dry shirt with a company’s logo on it.”

…and on and on.

I get it. There are some things in fly fishing catalogs that are essentially dollar store items with a price tag-escalating sticker slapped on it. (But if people pay for it, can you blame them?) Or, the updated model is simply a slight improvement touted as the coming of the angling revolution. Whether it is righteous economic indignation or general distaste for perceived dishonesty, some people like to call attention to these offerings. I get it.

I usually don’t spend the money, either.

Then there are some things that “are just” something else, but are worth a few extra bucks. Monofilament is a good example. Tippet, especially in heavier strengths, is the same stuff as the big spools you’ll find alongside the bass gear. There might be some color and flexibility differences. Still, “fly fishing mono” is way more pricey than “spinning gear mono.” You’re paying more for a tiny spool and a label. But not a lot of folks complain. It’s tolerated in the culture.

Inevitably, there’s a segment who is militant about this whole thing because they can’t afford the labels. Expensive = elite = bad. They can’t have it so they don’t want it.

For some, it is a sense of DIY pride. Like a fly fishing frontiersman, he cobbles together what he needs from common things. The labor isn’t just more work – it’s virtuous.

To be fair, on the opposite end of the spectrum is the sucker. He’ll buy anything that is there. Companies, fly fishing certainly included, prey on this materialistic or easily swayed consumer. Neither party is innocent, but they keep each other alive.

Still, there are others could not care less. It is easier to just buy what they want, when they want, how they want.

It comes down to some sort of equation where dollars and energy and resourcefulness and effort are balanced. Again, tippet spools might  be costlier by the linear foot. But I’m not using enough 7X to “save money” by buying in bulk. I’ll spend the $4.99.

Here’s another example that has received undue consternation: the RIO Kahuna LT Strike Indicator. “It’s just” fly line with the core removed. Given enough resources and time and whatnot, you could harvest good portions of old fly line, cut it into usable pieces,  detach the nylon center.

More power to you. I think it’s worth  $9.99.

It is also an excellent indicator for nymphing calmer water or where finesse is needed. It doesn’t plop on the water when cast. If positioned on a thicker part of your leader, it doesn’t hinge your cast either. Personally, I love the fact that I can reel my whole leader, indicator included, onto my reel. The little Kahuna is a great change of pace from bobber-style indicators if demanded by preferences or conditions.

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There is nothing new under the sun.  And just as anglers consistently want an advantage in their fishing, brands constantly want to make more money.  Have your own convictions when it comes to what’s worth  the hype and what isn’t. Remember that your values might appeal to you, but they’re just opinions. Have your own lines that you will and won’t cross when it comes to spending money. That is okay – I mean, it’s just fly fishing gear.