Ok, I’m getting the wife started. I don’t want to spend too much but want decent stuff so. If you had $200 for the rod and $150 for the reel what would you buy? Also, I’m probably going with a 3-4 weight rod so it’s not cumbersome and she can fish it all day! Probably an 8-8’6" rod for her. Line will be a WF-F 3 or 4 weight from Scientific Anglers or RIO. I still will need waders and boots for her too but for now the rod and reel will be 1st.
I would think a TFO Professional or St Croix Avid rod.
As far as a reel I plan on buying a Tioga for my next rod after seeing a considerable amount of recommendations here for them. Last I looked the Traditional Angler had them and for 15 dollars more you got a Rio line. Try http://www.traditionalangler.com/Teton_Tioga.asp and They are a sponsor here as well.
The new Avids are green and there is an Alpine Green Tioga that ought to look goods on it.
Dan
Yes, I think color is the key. One of those Pink or Purple “FlyGirl” rods and any decent reel that is black with peach 444 lines. I know that would make my wife happy. Actually, let her pick it out, steer her in a decent direction, let her try out some rods and the rest is frosting. I don’t know about you, but what I started with 40 years ago wouldn’t even be mentioned on this board. You have so many choices, use them wisely. Good luck, Jonezee
I would suggest you give the Sage Launch series a look.The 3 weight I cast 1 time seemed like a lot of rod for the money plus it is made in USA if that matters to you.I am a little partial as I do use Sage rods.
Does H&H only sell kits or do they sell their rods finished…would imagine they would be more than competitive and they seem to get a lot of “press” on this board.
Just a little something to consider. I agree with everyone let her pick out the stuff. Steer her to decent items. I would start with the seiries one line of TFO only because you won’t have a lot of money tied up and you still get a decent rod. Just my thoughts
A co-worker had a neighbor wanting to start out and didn’t want to sink a lot of money…unlike my co-worker that has a dozen rods and probably six reels and I have no idea how many spools… There are probably some out there that has twice or thrice that and still looking for more. 
Anyway, neighbor ended up buying a Travel outfit by Cortland. It had everything he needed: case, rod, reel, line (444), backing, and a fly box. All he had to do was buy some flies, and he was ready that afternoon. I forgot exactly what he got. The 8’ or 9’ 5/6 comes to mind. He was happy that he saved about $100 buying the outfit instead of the single items.
I’m with everyone else…let the wife pick out what feels best in her hand, but make sure you shop at a store that will put a reel and some line on and let her test it out in the back or parking lot, etc. Most good stores have a reels and line set out for testing.
My advice is to get her an 8’ 5wgt rod. It is a much better all around rod than a 3 or a 4 wgt is. If the wind comes up your wife is going to have more problems than you expect from 2, 3 or even 4wgt rods.
Some years back while doing a show we found out that the 8’ 5wgt was the way to go for the avarage lady. This after having many ladies cast different rods then asking them about which rods they felt were the best for them.
The new EHCO rods are nice for the price. I just bought two of them and they are great rods for the money. The EHCO 2 has two tip’s and will give two different action’s. Nice to have a second tip when needed to. These rods are worth a look. Ron
check out that tradition angler site for the rod reel combos, for 350 you can get a legend ultra with the teton tioga and line
I also let me wife pick out her outfit, but since I built the rod, she even got to pick out the colors. Big plus!