While I would love to have the latest Hardy or Orvis or Fenwick rods and reels, I can't afford several hundred dollars for each piece of equipment. I own 3 different rod and reel setups that each cost less than $70 including line and backing.
People always ask what rod do you use? I proudly say...this $45 ebay special...I still catch enough fish to be happy, and I can afford gas to get to the river.
Do these rods cast well? Well enough. Are they light and fancy...no...but in the end, they catch fish and if I break one crunching through the bush, it will only cost $45 to replace it.
Don't get me wrong I'd love to have the "nice stuff", but I hope people realize you don't have to break the bank to get into fly fishing.
I actually have a couple of videos on my "Cheap Setups".
Cheap Euro Setup
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0CwG7Uo9-0
Cheap Dry fly Setup:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DphJ5mLmasw
Just my two cents...or my $45...