I've got the 8'6 5 wt. I've noticed with Cortland 444 that the rod itself sometimes feels like a wet noodle. I would classify mine more of a medium rod. It loads well in close quarters if you're looking at small streams, but for larger streams I would look at getting something else. I've been fishing mine for 2 years now and it is my main rod not out of choice but because it's my only trout rod. If I had the money I would have gotten a sage xp or even the Orvis zero G.

Go cast one and you'll see if you like it or not.