Salty,
I completely agree with Knothead... he is not so much as naming a brand but steering you to a rod that is more focused to your niche..... Ergo a lake rod for chironomid fishing...
Rather than just going and buying what is effectively the same as what you have...... TFO, Reddington, St Croix.... they are all the same "Class" of rod if you base it on money alone. If you have a few rods maybe it is time to start dialing in specific rods for specific purposes....
All said, a good fly shop will let you cast the rod in the parking lot... they will have a parking lot line...
poke around shops for new rods and keep an eye on the EE on Flybc
But to me it sounds like you need a delegated lake rod..... and a trip to Merritt in the spring!