Powell SSL Fly Fishing Rod - 4 Piece, 9' 5wt

I'm no expert, but these are a good deal for what you get. Defiantly a step up from the beginner packages.

there are other rods that would work all the same

The cork grip is made of average to poor quaility cork. Maybe A or AA grade cork. This is the second of these I purchased. The first was finished better. This rod did not have a good coat of finish on the tip section. So far the first rod has fished well. My wife likes it.

I got this rod since I was heading out west for flyfishing and didn't feel I could get away with taking my two piece 9' fishing rod. Transport was a breeze with no one on the airlines batting an eyelash when I walked onto the plane. No worries at all from TSA either. Actual fishing was great with very good action from the rod. I got the 5wt and used it in the Colorado river. Caught 6 nice brown trout in one afternoon with the rod performing well all around. With a 25% off coupon, the rod was less than $90 delivered. A GREAT deal for a very good rod. My only complaint has to be that the cork in the handle was a bit crumbly in one spot. That said, some extra cork and glue fixed it up perfectly.

I bought this as a backup rod but may use it more than that. Very nice action