Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs
I have to say that the 9wt is the way to go. I use mine almost exclusively for LMB, salmon, and saltwater. It really is a good all-round rod for making sometimes needed longer casts with large flies, and the extra backbone helps when trying to turn a big fish making a strong run. You'd certainly do well with the 8wt, but I think you'll be better off in the long run with the 9wt.
Be sure to invest in a good quality reel right off the bat. You'll be very glad you did.
Thunderthumbs.