The Problem with Fly Fishing Rod and Reel Reviews

I’m a big fan of product reviews. Whenever I’m planning to purchase a valuable item, whether it’s a new dishwasher or a set of golf clubs, I scour the internet for reviews. YouTube has become a goldmine for honest and insightful opinions, making it easy to find a blend of unbiased professional reviews and everyday customer feedback. In fact, some of my favorite running shoes were bought based on online reviews.

But when it comes to sporting goods, including fly fishing gear, it’s much more difficult to find good, unbiased, and honest reviews. Why is that? What makes fly fishing gear reviews so tricky compared to other industries?

I think there are several factors at play, and they’re worth unpacking for anyone navigating the often-confusing waters of product reviews in the fly fishing world.

Fly Shops and Financial Incentives

First, let’s talk about fly shops. Many reviews in our industry come directly from these shops. While these businesses are the backbone of the fly fishing community, they have a financial incentive to promote the brands they carry.

If you’ve read a glowing review on a shop’s website or social media, it’s worth remembering that their primary goal is to sell products. I don’t think most shops are being shady or dishonest; they genuinely believe in the brands they stock. But their reviews are often more promotional than objective, which makes sense. It’s hard to expect a shop to criticize the very products they rely on to stay in business.

Guides and Influencers

Next, we have guides and influencers. These folks are vital to our industry, often helping to bring fly fishing into the spotlight for a wider audience. However, guides and influencers often receive products for free or at a heavy discount.

Let’s be real, if someone sends you a $1,000 rod for free, it’s tough to write anything less than glowing feedback. Why? Because you don’t want to risk that company cutting you off from future opportunities. As the saying goes, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

This dynamic creates a challenge for honest reviews. Even if an influencer does offer some critique, it’s usually sugarcoated to avoid alienating their sponsors or damaging their relationships within the industry.

Magazines and Online Publications

You might think magazine reviews or online publications would fill the gap with unbiased opinions. But they often fall into the same trap. Just like guides and influencers, these outlets frequently receive free gear in exchange for coverage.

When you’re handed a premium reel or rod to test, there’s a subtle (or not-so-subtle) expectation that your review will be positive. After all, why would a company send products to someone who has a reputation for being brutally honest?

The Cost of Fly Fishing Gear

One of the biggest hurdles to unbiased reviews in fly fishing is the sheer cost of the gear. Let’s say someone wanted to do an in-depth comparison of ten premium fly rods. To ensure absolute transparency, they would likely need to purchase all ten rods themselves.

Consider the financial commitment: with high-end rods often priced at $1,000 or more, that’s a $10,000 investment, just for rods. Add in reels and lines to complete the setups, and the cost skyrockets even further.

Who’s willing to make that kind of investment purely to write unbiased reviews? Not many. And those who do are often limited in how many products they can reasonably test.

A Tight-Knit Industry

Fly fishing is a small industry compared to others, supported by a network of small fly shops, guides, and influencers. This tight-knit nature makes it even harder to deliver critical reviews without fear of repercussions.

Imagine writing an honest review that gives a $1,000 premium rod three out of five stars. In a small industry, that could risk alienating the manufacturer and others in the community. It’s a brave move, but not one many are willing to take, especially when professional relationships and reputations are at stake.

What’s the Solution?

I don’t like to point out problems without offering solutions, but in this case, the answer isn’t entirely clear.

One possibility is for reviewers to pool resources or work collaboratively to share costs and access to gear. Another is for companies to support truly independent reviewers, even if it means accepting occasional critiques.

As a community, we could also place more value on user-generated reviews, opinions from everyday anglers who have no ties to the industry. While not perfect, these reviews often provide a refreshing dose of honesty.

What Do You Think?

So, what’s your take on fly fishing reviews? Have you found it difficult to trust the opinions you’ve read online? Or have you discovered reviewers who consistently deliver clear, honest, and transparent feedback?

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep the conversation going and work together to create a fly fishing community that values honesty, innovation, and, most importantly, the love of the sport.

Tight Lines,
Matthew Taylor