Personally, I'd look for a 8.5' or 9' 5 wt for a good all around starter rod.
If you plan to fish a lot of small brushy streams, consider going with a shorter rod in the 7.5-8' range.
Budget wise, you can be all over the place but $100 to $150.00 for a rod should get you set up. Look at something like the Redington Classic Trout series.

The rod and line will be more important then reel. Just about any reel will work for how you plan to fish. Consider it a line holder, as you'll likely never see the backing.

You'll want to start out with a weight forward (WF) floating line. Some of the complete rod, reel and line set-ups come with a line, but they tend to be less then great.
A Cortland 444 would be a good option.

Mad,
What's wrong with having too many wonder wands?
OK, I'll admit I had seven 6 wts....but I sold one this weekend.
Would that be considered thinning the herd?
SF