Small water: haven't found anything to beat the best deal going for small streams- the Cabela's Three Forks 3-wt. rod. It's a three piece rod that sells for a nickel under fifty bucks. I fish it with a 4-wt. DT line. Never failed me, and has a perfect action (for me, of course) up to maybe 40 feet.

Medium water: used to have the Winston 8 1/2 ft. 5-wt, 3-piece rod. Sold it during a difficult time. I'm very good friends now with a TFO Finesse series rod. 8'9" for a 5-wt. line. Very smooth rod.

Chuck