I tend to agree with nighthawk here. Most of my fishing is with 8 1/2' rods in 4 wt and 5 wt and I have tried the wide/large arbor reels and to me I think they throw the balance off on my rods. I really feel, before you purchase one, that you go to your local fly shop with your rod and try one out on it before you purchase. If you really like it, then go for it. The wide/large arbor reels may work real well on larger weight rods in 9 foot or longer, but, I just do not like the feel of them on my rods. It boils down to personal preference.
Warren
Fly fishing and fly tying are two things that I do, and when I am doing them, they are the only 2 things I think about. They clear my mind.