I wouldn't line up on it either.
I have a 5 1/2' 3wt Wildwater rod lined with a dt3wt that has the same feel that you described. I find that if I cast a little more unorthodox in my style I can throw almost the entire length of line for a short time at least.
Whatever you do don't give up on that rod! I love using the shorter rod on our local spring creek and on a few of my outings on narrow tree lined creeks would have been sol without it.