Don't know if I would ever trade my 9ft 5wt T&T -- sweet rod for medium rivers, big water and ponds and lakes; actually all-round use for trout etc. -- great nymph rod as well as dry fly rod -- guess I use it just about more than any other rod in my arsenal -- so I don't think extra 6" would make that much difference to me -- I've cast a 9' 6" 5wt custom rod -- medium action -- liked it -- certainly threw line out well -- but I still prefer my 9ft T&T
"No matter how complicated life can get -- remember life is sometimes like fly fishing; after turning over every rock in the river trying to "match the hatch", you have probably spooked every fish for miles -- so don't let the "little things" BUG you -- just enjoy whatever you find." Mike Ormsby