Dave i would have to agree with Mike on this
Your line IS the MOST important item as regards your ability to cast and the enjoyment you will get.
I go so far as to actually build rods to match lines, it sounds daft but if you find a line you really get on with its worth building your gear around it.
A good line casts well on any rod.
And they dont have to cost much, a lot of cheaper lines are OK, very much its a case of hit and miss, its the same with Millends and seconds, some people swear by them as you get a great deal, however anyone who is honest will tell you they get more bad/average lines than a decent one.
You must have a reel already, so do you have a spool for it? can you get one? or is it cheaper to buy another basic reel often about a tenner.
Then spend the rest on a Mallard floater and a Moorhen Intermediate, it might sound like a sales pitch, but quite a few of us on the forum helped Mike to develop the lines and they are a genuine performance bargain. Plus you can try them out first at Haddo to see which size suits you and your gear, this is worth waiting for
They will make your fishing feel better and more enjoyable. It does make a real difference.
Sandy