You might also consider the Redington CD, which is also sold by Hook and Hackle and could be acquired at the same time as the rod.

The following link has a tidbit of info on the Redington vs Trion vs Orvis Mid Arbor. The poster is a fly shop owner in CA. [url=http://www.danblanton.com/viewarchive.php?id=51482&archivefile=/arch200508.php:c4b09]www.danblanton.com/viewarchive.php?id=51482&archivefile=/arch200508.php[/url:c4b09]

I am also a fan of the Teton Tioga reel and the new Cortland Endurance reel seems pretty impressive to and is in the stated price range.