...just like me to post a question and then be offline for a couple of weeks. a house move, change in IP companies and telephone services, and then knee surgery.....sorry I dropped off the map for a while.

I guess my budget would be under $300 if I can get away with that amount.

I'm not sure how to answer the question about my casting ability other than to say I think I'm improving and don't hurt myself nearly as much as I used to, but wouldn't enter any contests. The expression about "old lady shooing away a bumblebee with a broomstick" strikes a chord.

Perhaps I am just trying to get too much use out of one rod. Do you folks think I should be looking at both a 7 wt AND a 9 wt to cover everything I want to do?