Diana, your right about cheap import junk. Stay away from anything Danielson unless it's a herring cutting guide or fish stringer. Ande is ok line for the price, if price is an issue. I use Max and Tri myself. As for rods I have 21 of them, GL3's ect. My two favorite coho rods are (Walmart $49.00) "Shimano IM6 Convergence". Reels? "Curado!" But when I started river fishing, (before Tyler was a gleam in his father's eyes ) I used a closed faced spincast w/fighting drag on a $19.99, 8'6" Diawa rod. I slammed the other two (in their boat) who were using Lamiglasses and baitcasters. My 7 to their 3 fish. I was at least using Gammies. I couldn't afford a nice rod and reel on $6.00 an hour and buy food and pay rent. But I knew where the coho were hiding. My point? Learn with what you can afford now, then move up later. But for now, FISH!!! FISH!!! FISH!!! Just my opinion though.