Well Sir, one thing Bob said that I observed some time ago was that I have just as much control casting a rod that is 8' 6" as a nine footer, so why cast the extra six inches all day. I don't really throw a lot of dry flies (not counting poppers and spiders/beetles) either. By the time I feel the need to do so my casting is usually good enough again that I will only mess up the first five or ten presentations . The FlyStik is 7' 11", which I'm not sure what to think of. I know **** sells Ross reels but I'm not sure if he stocks any of their rods and that's the only shop around here I could imagine may have one to try. The price on that Traveler is awfully tempting. Hope they still have one on the 11th.