On Wed, 08 Aug 2007 23:01:42 -0700, Mike wrote:

Just my .02 have had some friends start flyfishing this year they had
gone out and bought 8' rods brand doesn't matter they were flailing
the line all over the place not getting anywhere..........I lent them
an old cortland 9' cl 5wt and there casting changed dramaticaly I
noticed the same thing when I started a very good friend (long tall
fellow)gave me a cortland 7 or 8 foot 4 weight I couldn't get the damn
thing to go 40 feet i bought thecl 9' and I can cast better
now.........I gues what I am saying is get youself a 9' rod to start I
think the learning curve is shorter once you get used to it then try a
shorter rod

Not necessarily. I have no idea for what size trout in what "small
streams" in what I assume is New Hampshire the OP wishes to fish, but it
is entirely possible that a 9' 5wt will be too much rod, and 40 feet
might be too long a cast. A shorter, softer 3wt might be what they
need, or ???

And while I'd gladly send Waldo business, I'd also suggest that the OP
attempt to shop and buy locally, at least in the beginning, for gear,
advice, and if possible, some casting lessons. IMO, that'll make the
learning curve a lot shorter. And if the OP is long-time fisherman
(with other tackle), it could really make a difference - long-time spin
and bait-casting fishers often have more of a time learning to cast with
a fly rod than those who start with a fly rod.

And also IMO, while there are inappropriate rods for rank
novices/beginners, the differences between a mid-action, lighter-mid
weight 8' and 9' are not going to be so vast as to turn a novice into
Steve Rajeff with a mere rod switch. The good thing about that is that
the novice doesn't need to be Rajeff to successfully fish small NH
streams.

As to the OP's questions, taking them as written:

IMO, for smaller trout on smaller streams, the reel won't matter much;
get a smallish one (in the Tioga, the 4 or 6) in your budget. I'd lean
toward the 6 as it is more versatile, and the 8 is a bit large. As to
the rod, about all anyone can do is offer suggestions based on what
_they_ like and those will be, understandably, all over the board in
physical properties, price, etc. That's among the reasons why I suggest
local shopping and instruction, if possible, for a novice - you may be
able to try a few rods, and while most novices cannot pick up a rod and
offer much critique, they can often tell what they don't like, or at
least discover that they are fine with a rod that is priced at half or a
third of another. My _guess_ is that something along the lines of
midish action 3-5 weight, 8-9' is going to be the range, and unless
warranty or some other "special" "feature" is/are major point(s) for
you, just about any maker will have something that will (objectively)
work fine, and the price range will be extreme.

It would be easier for folks to offer their opinions and reasoning on
specific makes and models once you narrow the choices and have some idea
of what you need and want, but again, keep in mind that no one can tell
you what you'd like.

TC,
R