i have had several of the less exspencive rod and reel combos from the mart type stores, and they have all caught fish. Just try to get a proper wieght line for your combo I also find that practice is helpfull in the casting front. If you have a nice big yard or open field around you can nail a few paper plates to the grond cut the point off a brirgtly colored fly start some what close ,and practice dropping the fly on to the plate or close. what kind of water are you fishing and for what? tight creeks with brush can be very challenging. I like a float tube on a smallish lake or pond where i am now on the clear casting side of trouble spots. D.C. Don