Fresh Water set-up?

Looking at getting into fresh water fishing up in N.C. or closer. I have a condo in Boone which is about 20 inutes away from Tennesse. My question is what combo do you like? Orvis,Winston for rods? Lamson, Orvis, Bauer for reels?
What is your opinion on Orvis. Everywhere I go I get mixed opinions on Orvis. Around here local shops really don’t care for Orvis but in N.C. they love them.

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