Look at the Pflueger Echelon. I have two of them and they are a tank! They are indestructible and amazing for the price. They about 35 each and super smooth
I would suggest having 50 dollars or so if your planning to fish very often. I love my Sahara 2500 and i got it for 70$. It the perfect size and feels like a 200$ reel.
I just bought Berkley's !0lb braid and im loving it! For a long time, I used fluorocarbon 6 or 8lb test but braided is so much thinner and strong! Braided cast better, ties better, and even, in my opinion, more sensitive!
The smoothness of a reel does affect the feel. A high quality smooth reel will allow you to differentiate the bed and a strike. Especially in swift river, the smoothness will allow you more awareness of what your feeling.