Many thanks to all for your replies. I need a dog / companion / friend!
The real upside to going through a breed rescue is that the dog has already been vetted and temperament tested, and the rescue can match you with a dog that suits your lifestyle. Our local rescue also trains the dogs on recall and a couple of other useful tasks like loading up in a vehicle and getting in a crate.
If you think you might hunt or hunt test your dog, or do some other active dog sport like agility or tracking, I would go to a breeder specializing in hunting Labs. There's a big difference between the hunter type and the more mellow conformation type. Both are big-hearted, friendly, intelligent dogs, but the hunting type Labs are a little more . . . energetic.