Gloomis has aan 8wt combo for about $180, this includes a 9' 8wt rod, a large arbor loomis fly reel, an aa WF line. For the money you can't go wrong, especially since you're loking at not spending alot of money. You can see them atthe Morning Hatch in Tacomaa and I think the Madflyfisher in Federal Way has them too. I think Cabela's carries them.

Ii'd highly suggest if unless you have to haave brand new, you can build a VERY good outfiit coomplete for about $200, and have an advanced outfit. I've boought 2 sages and SA reels with spare spools for under $200 a combo, one is a DS series, but one is an RPLXi series. Just takes time, but you can find the deals out there.

I almost forgot. Rim control is nice, but highly not needed. You do need a good drag. I normaaly will preset my drag and let he rrip. I llearnd along time ago (and have seen many timmes with others since) that the majorrity oof the time when you try to palm a fiish when it's running, you wil snap your leader. I thiink the only times I've actually palmed the reel was with a fish thtawas taking out WAY to much baacing and figured it was eithe lose my fly line or lose the fish (it's easier to try and catch another fish then try to respool more flyline, thtas if you carry and extra spool with you). Pluus, fr the money used, you can by scientific anglers system 2's fairly inexpersively. You can also get by with the Okuma's, which are inexpeensive.