Cal, I am not one to spend a lot of money or rods that I may want a new version of in a few years. I like the recs above about Cortland and the Orvis. I have the Clearwater 10' 3 wt, which is okay for the money. I find a 4 is a better all around rod for bigger rivers, so I also have a 10'6" Echo Shadow 2 in 4 wt. I know plenty of guys, including myself who tightline nymphed with a 10' 4wt that was not a euro taper long before the competition style blew up. Also, watch a video or two on how to tie a mono rig, which in many cases can be better than the FIPS lines. I use a combo of 20 lb then 15 lb, down to 12 lb Maxima or comparable leader material. That also allows you to do more than just tightline. I fish places like the Lehigh River with that leader and a bobber even. Unless it's really windy, a mono leader will even mend just fine. The rod and the leader need not limit your fishing in any way, I have found. I even toss streamer with the Echo. Some of those 2 weights are limiting, I think, so we will likely see a swing back to longer all around rods like the Clearwater that can also throw a line if you need to. With a mono leader or even the "shorty" FIPS lines, you don't even need to carry an extra spool or reel to switch to a tapered leader and a dry fly at dusk. 2 bills for a rod, and a reel that will balance a longer rod (so sometimes you might have to size up a reel to a 4/5 to balance a 3 wt) and you are good to go!
