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Thomas & Thomas 9' #5: $600
Galvin reel (that is simplicity itself): $250
Fly Line: $55
3-pack of leaders: $10
Tippet: $5
Waders: $150
Boots: $80
Float Boat (that does 0-1 mph in 2 days): $350
a cup of flies (the size of a ketchup container at McD's) to fish Lee's Ferry: $50
Hours of PRACTICE trying to cast more than 25' with out tailing your loop: $??? OR>>>>>>>>>>>>>

really good rod at WalMart: $55
Abu Garcia Bait Caster: $90
300 yards of Triline: $12
Rubber Worms, Crank Baits, Hooks and Wieghts, ect. : $80 (over time)

No need to worry about back cast. able to learn to cast your rod in a couple of hours, and all the help you will ever need or want in any book, magazine, sporting good store, bait shop, coffee house, or on the water.

Lets face it fellas, Fly Fishing is Expensive, Time consuming, and Tough to Learn. Any kid can pick up a Zebco and a can of worms and fish all day and catch fish.

Oh yea, I would rather catch one fish on a fly than ten on a spinner, but that is not the attitude of most people who fish.

Andy has a point... to some extent. No doubt fly fishing, for the most part, was once considered an elitist sport. Gear was expensive. Fortunately, the prices are dropping. They're not rock bottom... but they're definitely coming down. We're talking about quality gear also. You don't have to have the Thomas & Thomas or the Sage fly rod... You don't have to have the Galvan reel. Sure... they're top of the line. The utmost in quality and cosmetics. But fly fishing does not have to be that expensive.

A more realistic scenario for the budget minded fly angler would possibly be...

ECHO 9' #5: $130
Stone Creek reel: $42
Fly Line: $35
3-pack of leaders: $6
Tippet: $5
Waders (breathable): $90
Boots: $50
Float Boat (do you really need one?): $350
a cup of flies (the size of a ketchup container at McD's) to fish Lee's Ferry: (try the flydealflies.com)
Hours of PRACTICE trying to cast more than 25' with out tailing your loop: $??? Yea... maybe so.

Now... its probably a good thing fly fishing is not much cheeper that this. Let's keep the faint hearted out of our way.

you are correct in your evaluation of my price list. you don't need to have the best stuff, but like anything else, the more you get into it, the better quality stuff you need (read as "want"). Getting a cheaper rod and a less expensive reel is ok to get itnto the sport, but remember that one tends to keep upgrading as one goes. So instead of buying the top end Sage to start, beginners will do exactly what I did. Buy the Walmart rod, then the Cabelas, then the mid level St. Croix, then the T&T. So we spend $500 BEFORE we spend $600 to buy the rod(s) we use.
My true point was this, Flyfishing is misunderstood as an "elietist" sport, when it really is only a specialty sport. It's not really elietist at all! Although it attracts them, but then so does bass fishing. The problem (for lack of a better word) of getting more folks to try this type of fishing is really people only have enough time to do a few things in life. I would love to be an expert fly caster, wing shot, able to hit targets at a 1000 yards own a bassboat, consitantly hit the bullseye ay 60 yards with my bow, and play with my daughter. But in truth I can only do a few of these things and really only do one well. I fish better than I hunt, and I love catching fish on a flyrod more than anyother way. I spend my recreational dollars on fly fishing. Because I do, (and I am in the Army) I will never own the 20' Stratos Bass boat and have to get within 30 yards of an elk before I let an arrow go. Some folks are gifted and fortunate enough to be able to do ANYTHING they want, but most of us are not. Where does the average joe/jane go fishing?

Very pleased with the response to my article. For instruction, I use a TFO rod, Cortland reel, and Rio line. This whole package new is very affordable. Our fly fishing club has a swap every year where excellent used equipment is available. Ebay and newspaper ads are another source. Entry level rods, with a guarantee, will perform better than a novice caster. I have seen many people with very expensive equipment perform poorly, and beginners with proper instruction do wonders with basic gear. Yes, it does take commitment, but has many rewards.

The one thing that people don't understand about the fly gear is that if you maintain all you gear it can last many years. I'm working of a rio line from 4 years ago. For me personally I have turned 4 of my best friends from the spin to the fly. I can't wait till I get some kids (years down the road) and pass the fun down to them!