Look at "Sage" reels and "St. Croix" rods and she`ll save some money and get better quality IMHO. Fly fishing stuff of HIGH quality can be found regularly at estate sales.

Just looked at Denver Craigslist    https://denver.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=fly+rod
https://denver.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=fly+reel

It's not a terrible start however, I have no experience with that rod so I have no idea what the action is like. Higher end gear can usually be found used at a good deal. Check the marketplace/for sale forum on https://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/

5wt is the most universally used weight for trout and can even be used for bass. 8'6"-9' rods should be preferable. Good luck in your search and good on you for supporting her desire/interest in one of the greatest sports/hobbies out there.

For that kind of money it had better come with free drinks and BJ's.

I do own two other Orvis rods, but not the Clearwater.  I can't remember if I have casted it, I may have.  But my guess is that it's a pretty decent rod, and that model comes with a 25 year warranty. I own other brands as well, Sage, Lamiglas and TFO.

If it's not a suprise, maybe she can sign him up for the Fly Fishing 101 Orvis does, it's free and will give him a chance to try out casting.  They might even use the Clearwater line in the class, if not after the class he could cast it and see if he likes it.  I know the two Orvis rods I own, a 5wt Helios 2, and a 3wt Super Fine glass, cast great and both catch fish.  I can also cast my inexpensive TFO Lefty Kreh Professional 2, almost as good as my Helios 2.  I can probably really cast it just as good, but I like to think the more expensive one casts better.

There are a lot of options out there, but get a decent rod, and a good line, for a 5wt you don't need a $500 reel.  I'm not saying eventually he won't want one, but you don't need that kind of drag on a 5wt.  But hey, I have a Hatch reel on my 3wt.

It's a $200 rod, with a 25 year warranty, with a $100 reel- so basically you are getting line and backing for free.

Hope that helps a little bit.  Good luck and hopefully tight lines!

Awesome, sounds like they did it the right way.  A guide/instructor when you're starting out, or even when you have been doing it for a while, can really get you going down the right path and save a lot of frustration.