Need fly rod and reel suggestions!

[forrestd]

I'm looking to spend about $200 on a solid combo. 9 foot rod, 5 weight line, medium action probably. I'll be using it primarily for trout fishing, secondarily for panfish/bass fishing. I don't imagine I'll be catching anything over 5-7 pounds. I've been looking around different sites, and I'm looking closely at G. Loomis and St. Croix combos. They seem to be the most liked and recommended. I thought I'd check here to see what you guys have to say.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

David

[Heavy Doody]

I've been hearing very good things about Elkhorn Fly Rods lately, and they are in that price range.

Not sure if there's a place you can go to test them, other than your local outdoors show. They seem to make the rounds to all the major shows.

[chavez]

I'm sure if you google for TFO (Temple Fork Outtfitters) combos you'll find some in or under the $200 range (rod, reel which is usually a Okhuma, backing and line maybe). I have two of the TFO Professional series (a 5wt and 8wt) and like them a bunch for the price.

[forrestd]

I went down to the local fly shop to see if I could find any of the brands you guys mentioned. I ended up walking out with a new Sage fly rod and Ross reel. I spent about $100 more than I had planned, but I figure it was money well spent.

[chavez]

While I haven't tried them I neglected to mention that Orvis sells a complete fly rod/reel/line combo for $149 to $159 as well. Orvis makes pretty good quality stuff but I haven't personally used that combo.

[spoonplugger1]

Look at the Echo rods designed, built, and sold by Steve Rajeff, 15 time casting champion and a world class multispecies angler. An excellent line of rods for the money.