Thanks to all who replied to this topic last time. You answered my suspicions concerning 11' single hand rods.
Again , Thanks!

However... For new viewers to this post... I intend to fish the larger rivers for winter steelies & salmon with sinking tip or shooting head line. I need distance + depth as I mostly wade.

Now, my brain has begun to melt. I haven't bought a new rod in 15 years. HOLY COW! What a selection! I need, more input from people who have perhaps fished some of the following 8 wt's.

Loomis Adventure: FR1088,FR1088-4,1148-3
Sage :986 DS2
Cabela's :FT908
Any other suggestions under $275.00 would be greatly appreciated. I have heard some good reports on the Teton & Tioga reels.
Think I'll go with the Teton #7. Any input on it would be great! Thank You !!!

Hey jc, the flyshop has a Gloomis 2( pescado)
5 models with reel and line already to go from a 7 to 9 for $175.
Not a bad rod, but may not be the best Loomis. Good all around rod. not bad for the price.

The Teton's are pretty good reels and the tioga is basically the same reel with less machine and finish work. For a rod though I highly recommend you look for used rods online a used top of the line rod is a better deal than a new lower end rod.. Just a thought.. Also lots of shops have rods that they are closing out you can get a good deal that way also

I would seriously look at the 1087 or 1088 GL3 by Loomis
The 1087 is a 9' #7 while the 1088 is a 9' #8. Both rods tend to fish a line size heavier so the #7 is more then adequate for most NW steelhead and salmon fishing. Both these rods are under $300.

They are more rod for the buck then any other rod on the market. They can cast and feel alot like the old RPL+s and have the power that these rods had also. There are more aesthetically pleasing rods in the $300 and under price range but none can cast like the GL3 does.

JCS,

I'll let you in on an important secret.
Any 8 wt worth carrying, and most that aren't, will give you all the distance you need. I fished the Skagit for one 10 year period with an 8 1/2' 8 wt fiberglass rod and caught many more steelhead than I have during the last 10 years with a nice assortment of graphite rocket launchers. My meaning is that the rod choice is almost irrelevant to the catching of steelhead. Some will be irritated that I mention this, but distance casting is over-rated, especially on the Skagit. I almost never cast over 80' and seldom over 60' or so.

An 8 wt is a good choice, and while no sink tip is going to handle as nicely as a full floating line, the rods you're considering are more than adequate to the task. BTW, home made sink tips are invariably better handling than factory models in my experience.

Rod shopping is fun. Savor the experience!

Sincerely,

Salmo g.