Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.
I agree with Louis. You need to get a few in your hand and try them out. A good shop will give you options and a place to try them out. I think you owe it to yourself to make one of the choices a Scott. I have an A3 3wt that has some serious backbone for a 3wt. Their A4's run about $395.
Most rod makers have an entry level now. Even Winston has Nexus rods that are in that mid range.
Spence
I LOVE my Nexus. You couldn't pay me to fish a Winston boron rod, but you'd have trouble prying the Nexus from my hands.