unless you're a really good caster

Pearow, I agree for the most part, unless what they say is true. Less core makes room for more of the coating which is where the floatation is. Most of the high dollar lines float higher which makes mending and pickup easier. The problem is that the thinner tip sinks on many lines and that defeats the purpose of a floating line. IF Cortland has improved this I think it is worth the extra money. I don't know that they have. I have just heard the sales pitch for the trout boss, but I plan on trying one.

For the most part I believe that the average fly fisherman will benefit from spending money for the premium lines $70 more so than that on a premium rod $700. That is not to say there are some good lower priced lines. Echo makes a line called the Sphere. My sons and I have fished it all over the mountain west and I can't say anything bad about it. It cost about $50. To answer the original question Ckoen asked, I would buy an Echo 5wt Base$89, echo Solo reel $35, and Sphere trout line $50. This would be an excellent set up and if the 5 cast like the 6 and 8, I would not call it an entry level outfit. Hope this helps.