Since you only want to occasionally fish winter runs i'd geat up for summer runs and just sacrifice a little ability on the winter run end. I would be looking for a 10 ft 7wt as Wild Chrome suggested. I have a personal disfavor( is that a word?) for the Sage DS models. I think you can get a much better rod for less money by going with a st croix. But thats based on my experience with the DS rods. I think they are stiff and lack power, a combination I hate. I'd buy a used top of the line rod nefore i'd by a new DS or VPS for that matter. In fact the only mid range rod i would recommend as a new purchase would be the Loomis GL3.
mid range is 200-350 dollars. I just don't think the mid ranges sages are a good deal.

My first recommendation would be to look for a used 7100 sage RP or RPL ( not RPL+)
if you can't find one of thoes look for a St croix that you like and if you don't like that I'd go for the GL3

Thats my recommendations based on my opinion. But heck if you wanna spend top dollar for a rod get a CF Burkheimer..