dogjojo wrote on May 18^th, 2013 at 2:05pm:

I have been using hand-me-down rods for some time now.  I am ready to upgrade and spend a couple of gift cards at Cabela's to get a couple nice rods.  I have no idea how to pick one out.  I am afraid if I ask the sales person they may be more familiar with fishing out of a big honkin' bass boat.  I almost exclusively fish in and around the BWCA.  So that is what kind of rig I am looking for.  Can anyone suggest a good spinner and bait casting rod.   Specific brands and model numbers would be helpful. Thanks.

Everybody has their preferences based on all kinds of things including brand loyalty.  After you've decided on what you need it for, which, in your case seems to be an all purpose rod for casting and trolling, you need to decide what you want to spend.  The other thing you need to consider is whether you want a 1-piece or 2-piece rod. 
The quality of a rod is mostly determined by the quality of the blank and the guides.  These days most rod blanks are pretty good and you have to decide where the point of diminishing returns is for you.  A G.Loomis GLX or NRX blank is the top of the line but their rods run in the $350 and up range. However, a mid-range rod at about a hundred bucks will give you plenty of sensitivity and durability.  Shimano products are pretty good and they offer a lifetime replacement warranty, which really can't be beat. 
I use a 2-piece rod, which I carry in a case.  I can get it out and ready to cast in about 2 minutes so that works for me.  The case more or less guarantees that my rod and reel will be safe and it's no big deal to hang it around my shoulder on portages.  Others prefer 1-piece rods, which they protect and carry in various ways.
I only take one rod with me on canoe trips.  I have a spinning rig - Shimano Compre (Medium Fast 6'6", 2 piece @ $100) with a Shimano Saros reel.  It's a very nice combo.  But I much prefer a bait caster so I really don't take the spinning rig anymore.  My baitcasting rig is ridiculous, a G.Loomis Mag Bass GLX 2-piece (Medium Heavy, Fast 6'6") coupled with an Abu Garcia Revo Premier bait caster.  Its expensive equipment but I love using it and I'm willing to look after it and keep it in its case when I'm not fishing.
However, for a nice mid-price rod you might consider the St.Croix Premier line (they retail around $120 but you can often get them on sale.)  They come in 1 and 2-piece versions.  A Medium, Fast, 6"6" in either casting or spinning versions (PS66MF2 or PC66MF2) would probably suit your purposes. But really there are lots of rods out there in the hundred dollar price range.  Both Cabelas and Bass Pro have a store brand, which is usually just as good and a little cheaper than a comparable name brand.  If possible I would suggest going to the store with your reel and put the reel on various rods and see how it feels in your hand.
Good luck and enjoy!