Hi. Over the years I’ve enjoyed using the following rods:Shakespeare Boron-nice feel when casting;David Norwich-even nicer feel and crisp; and a couple of Hardy’s-particularly a 7weight Gem on the larger resevoirs ,like Pitsford and Rutland.The rod’s name is justified, it is a little gem!
As for lines I prefer Cortland-444’s: their old darker coloured Nymph -Tip in a WF 7 was visible,had little or no coil memory, and could shoot smoothly.A cracker on any stillwater.  Their 333’s are a good bargain buy,too.
As for reels-a System 2 is hard to beat.Solidly built, a good drag ,reasonably priced. You can still get them second hand

I started with Sharpe’s Gordon rods a 9’ 6 Wt and a 9’ 6” 7 Wt with Vision Koma reels, all very good value for money. However I have become a big fan of ‘Bloke’ rods, since getting my first one I now have;
9’ 4” 7 Wt
9’ 6 Wt
10’ 5 Wt
9’ 5 Wt
11’ 3 Wt ‘Riverbugger’(great on the Welsh R.Dee)
8’ 3 Wt dry fly rod which is simply brilliant!
I match the 5,6 & 7 Wt with Lamson Konic 2.0 reels. and I have a ‘Colton’ reel for the 3 Wt.
The Bloke rods suit me, generally a middle to tip action, however the 10’5 Wt for instance has a slightly softer tip than the 9’, and I value the service and guarantee I get from Mick Bell. I have heard some people describe the same rods as a poker and others describe them as a noodle !! I guess you have to make your own mind up but I find them an ideal casting AND fishing tool.
The Konics were a bit of an extravagance(for me !!), however I have never regretted getting them.
For lines I now tend to use ‘Barrio’ lines, can’t be beaten for value.

Favourite outfits:
1. Orvis #5wt 7’9” Far & Fine rod purchased 1983 personalised engraved butt cap, Berkeley reel, Aiflow 5# weight forward floater. Great stream/small river rod. Now used by my son and grandsons in Wicklow, Eire.
2. Orvis #3wt 9’ Silver Creek rod purchased 1985 personalised engraved butt cap, Michell 7730 reel (I love the design), Aiflow #4wt weight forward floater. Both Orvis rods still fishing perfectly although I’ve replace the snake guides and tip eye on the Far & Fine for my grandsons.
3. Deane #6wt 9’ 6” rod, Okuma reel, Cortland 444 DT floating and Dark Gray DI lines.
4. Deane #8wt 9’ rod, Stealth CAS2 reel & spare casettes, Cortland 444SL DT floater, Airflo Delta DI #8 and Transparent Glass (Olive core) Intermediate lines.
Other outfits:
5. Kingfisher #6wt 9’ rod, Abu Diplomat 156 reel, Airflow DT #6 floating and sinking lines.
6. Shakespeare Sigma 1760-240 #6/7wt 7’6” rod, Greys G-Series reel(not impressed-should have gone for the Orvis Clearwater III as my grandsons have), 7# intermediate line.
Out of the lot, my most used is the Orvis #3wt-a really great rod. I love the Michell reel (pity the’re no longer made) and the Airflo #4wt line is a perfect match - a #3wt line and it’s too fast for me. I love the ‘feel’ of casting with the #4wt line.
I would love a Grey’s 11’ #3wt rod but just can’t afford it - maybe next year?

For rivers I use two rods, A 4 piece Orvis which started life as the HLS Adam’s traveler but has been replaced under the guarantee, can’t recall the model it has become. Also a Maryatt that I “acquired” from Marc Petitjean. Both are 8’6” 4 Weights.

For Streams I have a Bentley Brook 6’ 3/4wt cane by R. Woolly of Ashbourne.

All of these rods I pair up with an Orvis Battenkill 4/5 reel. I’ve never felt the need for anything other than floating lines for these rods. Currently its a Bloke WF4. That is due replacement, the new one will be a Barrio.

Recently I have started fishing Lochs most of the time. For these I have a 10’ 6wt Powerflex from Flextec. If you haven’t seen these then they are worth a look. It has lots of power to put out a good line when needed but is forgiving enough. For the money you can’t do better. As a light weight rod for the lochs I’ve a 9’ 5wt streamflex also from flextec.

These I pair up with a Witchwood cassette reel. Not the best I’ve ever known but it does the job.

Last year I bought my first Barrio GT90 fly line. Its the best line I have ever found. No memory, floats well, and it flies out.

Cheers,
C.