Describe your perfect set up for me. I will be fishing on the east coast, mostly in NY. Last year I took a 9ft 8wt with a pretty light reel. I felt very under matched. I'm thinking if I stay with an 8wt, at the least, I had better get something with a decent drag. Being a trout fisherman, I rarely worry about that type of thing. I normally get to see my backing only when changing lines. Just curious to hear everyone?s 2cs.