I'm in my 33rd year of fly fishing here in Colorado. My current rod is the same one I've had for the last 30 of those years, a G Loomis IMX 9' 4wt. It's been great up until yesterday. Was fishing some extremely flat water for really big fish. Couldn't get a delicate enough presentation to not spook every fish in the neighborhood. Didn't help I was chucking a huge hopper and a dropper, but that's beside the point. I've talked myself into wanting a new rod, so facts and data are irrelevant.

I've been fishing that Loomis so long I have no idea what's hot and what's bullshrimp. I fish 75% dual nymphs with an indicator, and 25% either dry only or dry with a dropper in little streams. I'm a fairly aggressive caster, so medium-fast to fast is probably what's right for me.

I waved an Echo Trout X around in a fly shop yesterday. The sales guy was (of course) enthusiastic about it, and the $400ish pricetag was appealing. I can spend top dollar if necessary, but I'm suspicious that many of the top top brands are way overpriced.

Any of you fine fellows have recent experience buying a rod?

I'll also need a reel. I rarely play fish off the reel, but I don't want to break off a monster because I spent too little on a reel.