I also support the notion of the Taylor Dynamix. Taylor is a pretty solid company and the company owner knows a lot about rod design. I had one of their T-1 reels and it felt pretty solid, though the hydro-dipping left a bit to be desired (it's no Abel). Should have hung onto it as it balanced well on one of my glass rods.
Another lower cost rod I enjoy is the Fenwick Aetos. I was lent one last year to fish and it was a pretty good feeling stick. It tossed a half inch Oros indicator with ease. Tossing that is a good evaluation of how powerful that rod is. I think it's a pretty good looking rod too with the blue that is on it.
They're hard to find now but if you can find a SAGE VXP 5wt 9ft you may enjoy that rod quite a bit. I owned one from July 6th of 2018 until Jan of 2020. It's a pretty solid and smooth rod to cast that is pretty forgiving. Gorgeous color too. My only complaint with that rod was I didn't think think the light gold reel seat hardware jived with the silver wraps of the rod. Just a cosmetic complaint with that rod. I have a buddy, who originally traded me that rod, who has a VXP 6wt and 10wt, both 9ft.
For expensive, I'd try an Orvis Helios 3D 9ft 5wt. Pretty stellar rod that is very light and accurate. Not the best rod to nymph with but if you wanna do long range dry/droppers and some light streamer work it would be a good tool for that. I know the H3 is a lot of money but I'd say worth it if you can find one used as they don't seem to hold up well with resale value (probably because they're ugly), I just bought another H3 for a little over 500 bones and it was practically new (a steal!). I don't think the H3 is worth near its asking price, I'd be hard-pressed to pay $650 for one. If I was gonna drop A LOT of money I'd just get an Asquith or Winston, heck I scored my Asquith at close to 50% off when I required mine on May 7th of this year, but it was a bit dirty when I got it and someone took a grinder to the reel seat back plate, but overall a very functional rod and since I was going to buy it to fish it and not simply collect it for cosmetic reasons I wasn't that concerned with the condition because I am going to dirty it up myself. My overall opinion of the H3 is so so. Having had 8 of them (down to four now) it's been a rough ride with occasional love such as with my newly acquired H3F 3wt 8'4", which after lawn casting it Sunday night into Monday morning, I think is absolutely honey, and hatred for such rods as the H3F 9ft 6wt, which to date has been the most pathetic example of a 6wt I have casted (no balls on that rod!).
Overall I know that I am perceived as a rod snob, and that is something that I am, I just look at a rod for what it is, and judge it based on its price point and casting/fishing merits.
