I don't use insert guides myself, but I think they will work fine. I would not reduce the number of guides. In fact, I am beginning to believe that increasing the number of guides is more beneficial. It started with a discussion on Ultimate Performance Rods. I got into a somewhat heated exchange with Fox Statler, but I really think he is on to something. He advocates up to 15 guides on a 9 foot rod. I started using more guides on spinning rods using the concept theory and it works like a charm. I think the same would work on a fly rod. If you think about it, there are two things slowing down the shooting line, one is friction on the guides, but the other is line slap caused by sags between the guides slaping against them. The larger number of guides reduces sag and thus line slap.
You don't ever want a crisis to go to waste... - Rahm Emanuel
Who is John Galt?