Actually I was leaning towards a 7wt 9'6" rod but they're not very common so I may have to go with a 9' 7wt rod. I looked at some name-brand rods locally and had "sticker shocks", and realized why some call them INVESTMENTs. Not having used any of the pricy GLoomis, Sage, Orvis, St. Croix and the like, can someone help me justify their hefty price tags?

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's offer some decent looking combo packages for around $150 to $250 which include IM-7 or IM-8 rods, cast aluminum with disc drag reel, fly line, backing, tube, etc. Has anyone used these seemingly good valued rods?