So like the title says, I’m looking for a new rig. Background info: I have been fly fishing for many years but really only get out a few times a year and my skills are sub par for the number of years I can say I have fished. I am from WV and fish small mountain streams/creeks, up to smaller rivers, typically all in the same day. I almost exclusively target trout, everything from small natives up to the stock brood trout in the fall. I don’t do any type of specific fly fishing, I typically will throw dry/dropper, nymph under an indicator, small streamers like wooly buggers or single dries, and do this all without changing rod or fly line.

I have a 7ft 3wt cabelas PT and a 9ft 5wt Cabelas PT+ that I have been using since I started fly fishing 15 years ago. I have the desire to upgrade, thinking I may catch more fish lol. I feel like I need a 4 wt setup that would be an all around tool and become my go to outfit. A friend who has far more knowledge than I do recommends that I go with a 10ft rod and he listed all the benefifinen for fishing small native streams.

I have a budget of around $400ish for rod/reel/line. I have looked at the orvis Clearwater combo, 10ft 4wt and have heard that it outperforms it’s price point. I also know it is considered an entry level rod and I can’t get passed that. I have fished entry level rods for 15 years now. I read all these reviews, people say it’s fine, does things ok but doesn’t excel at any one thing etc etc. so it makes me nervous to go that route. So I’m hoping you fine folks can help steer me in the right direction. Is 10ft too long? What other companies should I look at within my budget? Would the Clearwater rod be a step up from my current rods? Oh FWIW, I have one fly shop within driving distance and he only carries high end stuff, so I don’t have the ability to try anything out before I bu