Hello all! I am a relatively new fly fisherman. I began fishing around 2-3 years ago. My main quarry is trout in tight-quarters WV streams, although I occasionally pursue bass and panfish. Until this point, I have been using a 8'6 #5 White River Hobbs Creek rod and reel combo from BPS. I have been quite pleased by this setup, but look to improve upon this with a new rod and reel. I am looking to spend $150-$200 for the rod and something like that for the reel. in total, I look to stay UNDER $350 for the whole setup. My two candidates to this point have been the TFO Professional II rod in 8'6 #4 ($149)...
Here: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Fishing-Rods|/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105573780/TFO-Professional-II-Fly-Rods/1314478.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rods%2F_%2FN-1102568%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105573780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104721480&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat105573780
...and the Cabela's LSi, also in 8'6 #4 ($189)
Here: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Fishing-Rods|/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105573780/Cabelas-LSi-Fly-Rods/1089200.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rods%2F_%2FN-1102568%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105573780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104721480&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat105573780
If anyone has knowledge of these rods, I would like to know. I like the LSi because of the looks and from what I have heard of the performance. Although the looks of the TFO are slightly less pleasing to me, I have heard it is a phenomenal rod and the lifetime warranty is reassuring. As to reels, I have considered the Lambson Konic II
Here: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Fishing-Reels|/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105572880/Lamson-Konic-Fly-Reels/1425310.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-reels%2F_%2FN-1102569%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105572880%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104721480&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat105572880
but haven't put much thought to it. Any help or suggestions outside of my options shown here are more than welcome and appreciated. Thanks much!
EDIT: I apologize, I realized after posting that this is in the incorrect category in this forum. This is a mistake on part of me being unfamiliar with this forum. My apologies.
Here: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Fishing-Rods|/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105573780/TFO-Professional-II-Fly-Rods/1314478.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rods%2F_%2FN-1102568%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105573780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104721480&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat105573780
...and the Cabela's LSi, also in 8'6 #4 ($189)
Here: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Fishing-Rods|/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105573780/Cabelas-LSi-Fly-Rods/1089200.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-rods%2F_%2FN-1102568%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105573780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104721480&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat105573780
If anyone has knowledge of these rods, I would like to know. I like the LSi because of the looks and from what I have heard of the performance. Although the looks of the TFO are slightly less pleasing to me, I have heard it is a phenomenal rod and the lifetime warranty is reassuring. As to reels, I have considered the Lambson Konic II
Here: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Fishing-Reels|/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/105572880/Lamson-Konic-Fly-Reels/1425310.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffly-fishing-reels%2F_%2FN-1102569%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105572880%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104721480&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat105572880
but haven't put much thought to it. Any help or suggestions outside of my options shown here are more than welcome and appreciated. Thanks much!
EDIT: I apologize, I realized after posting that this is in the incorrect category in this forum. This is a mistake on part of me being unfamiliar with this forum. My apologies.