I was in the same boat and after trying a Sage Circa, TFO, St. Croix I ended up with a Echo3...I LOVE this rod...cast very nicely...accurate....liteweight.....and great customer service and warrantry. Went looking for a rod and stopped by a shop I have used a bit....we went to cast the other rods when the UPS truck showed up with the Echo3's on it we tried the other 3wt's when the 3wt Echo was found....several of the shop guys also tried the rod out and we all were kinda shocked.....now myself and 2 of the shop guys are using the Echo3 rods.

Wayne