Yes , and in fact have spent a lot more than that. I starting out like most with moderate priced fly rods before I moved up. The same with gear rods and reels.There is a world of difference between a $300 rod and an $800 rod. Would you choose a Berkley over a Loomis or Lami?
My only frustration is that today the rod is priced at $700. After you have made the purchase a few years go by and and they decide to drop the rod from their inventory and the price drops to half. My $700 rod is now a $300 rod. Not a good investment and Sage for one does this all the time. Remember the Z xis and the XP's?