I've been using my 6 weight St. Croix Rio Santo paired with an Okuma 5/6 reel for a few summers now for bass but I want to get something setup for great lakes steelead/salmon.
I know I need at least an 8 weight for a standard 9 foot rod & I can get away with a 7 weight if I get a switch/spey rod.
I've been looking at switch rods in the 11' rod as they seem to be the ultimate for what I'm doing but the price point is pretty steep.
Anyone have any experience with Bass Pro's white river fly shops stuff? They've got a switch rod outfit at a pretty reasonable price. $300 for rod and reel as opposed to paying $300-400 for just a Loomis or St. Croix rod than the reel on top. Kinda sounds too good to be true though
http://www.basspro.com/White-River-Fly-Shop-Black-Watch-Switch-Rod/Kingfisher-Reel-Fly-Outfit/product/1412240737052/ 