Rodney,
Given your criteria the Sage Response ($395) is going to be your best bet. However, you may find some closeout Sage Flight (the Response is the replacement for the Flight) rods that will be well within your price range. Both are American made (Bainbridge Island, Washington) and fast action. I fish a 3 wt Sage FLI which is an ancestor of the new Response and the Flight rods. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any Sage rod.
Brian
"My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him, all good things - trout as well as eternal salvation - come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy." Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It
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