This is my first post so I hope I've posted in the correct forum!
I’ve fly fished now for about two years but I’m not sure that I have the right equipment or more accurately the right balance of the equipment that I have. The rod is 9’6” hand built by a grateful client. I was so green when he offered to make me a rod that I really didn’t understand the questions he was asking! The reel is a Hardy Marquis Disc 7WF7F line. I fish lakes but would like to include river fishing.
My question is: Is there any value in selling up (particularly the Hardy reel so that I can fund something like a GXRI plus with three spools), and buy a rod that will balance with the reels. If so what rod and reel would you recommend? I have a budget of £200 plus what I would get if I sold the reel.
Any advice would really be appreciated. Thanks!

I would suggest that the grxi reel although good value is in my opinion a tad heavy for an ideal river set up with a 4/5wt rod.
Keep the Hardy reel you will get a decent river setup for £200 without selling it. I am on the river 3-4 times a week and use a sub £200 setup. Good quality gear is more affordable now than it ever was.

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BROWN TROUT:THE RED SPOTS HAND PAINTED BY GOD

Hello, welcome.

You did not mention the weight of the rod. Common sense suggests it is a 7wt.

Sure, the Hardy reel does have a value. I suggest you hang on to that 'set up' and regard it as your stillwater kit. Now it all gets slightly more technical.

Not terribly so, you have a healthy budget. Quite frankly, it's all about what type/size of river you are considering fishing. You need to tell us that before any progress in an advice sense can be made.

Chris.

There you go....depending on the size of the river, someone is selling an 8ft 4wt 2 piece ultralight on the forum a truly wonderful rod if it suits the situation.

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BROWN TROUT:THE RED SPOTS HAND PAINTED BY GOD

Keep that rod forever!
is a one off, unique, made specially for you!
buy a balanced outfit based on trade in of reel, but not the rod!
regards
bert.

Thanks for that! If I keep the Hardy, what rod would be suitable in terms of balance? The Derwent is not a million miles from my back door.

Sorry I am from Scotland have never fished any Englandshire rivers so cant comment. For what its worth a 8ft 6"/9ft in 4/5 wt will get you by on most river situations. Unless you intend only fishing one venue it may possibly be better to buy a versitile set up. I am sure the Derwent guys will keep you right.
Take the reel into a tackle shop and try it out on different rods, eliminates guesswork.I do Know it works with my 7wt 10ft 6" ultralight

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BROWN TROUT:THE RED SPOTS HAND PAINTED BY GOD

You still have not said what weight the rod is. Chances are it is also a 7 weight. Look at buying a four section 4/5 or 5/6 wt travel rod and matching reel and don't rush into it. Most good shops have rods that you can try out before buying and make sure you get a proper transferrable lifetime guarantee that covers the complete rod not individual sections. Cliff Harvey has a 9ft 5/6 wt 4 section Genwair Pawl with such a guarantee for £79 and he is also offering the Xenar xr reel with spare spool and lifetime repair or replacement warranty for £59. An excellent starter river kit in my opinion

I don't understand what you're trying to say when you write about getting a rod to "balance with" the reel. Why is it that you think the rod/reel is "out of balance"?

I'll repeat something I've said often when this question of "what gear will solve all my problems. . ." comes up: Very rarely is gear really the problem at all and almost never does just changing up gear solve a fishing problem.

Give us more detail about your rod weight and describe what you think isn't working well for you. You'll get much better advice and quite likely save money in the process.

Grouse

Hi Dasco,
As has been mentioned before, what is wrong with the setup? You mention you are a beginner who told you it doesent balance? My advice from experiance and before hundreds of pounds are wasted, GO SEE A Proffessional for advice, maby a casting lesson,£35 could save you hundreds.
Tight Lines.