Have you used this rod at 9' before you want to cut it? I bought 4, 9' rods last year because of the tall vegation along the sides of the streams that I fish. I also bought a couple of 8.5' rods, because they were not available in 9' lengths and one 10' rod. Fish it before you cut it. Standing in waist deep water with 4 or 5' tall vegation on boths sides of a spring creek and the 9 footers are a dream compared to the little rods for me. By the way 2 of the 9 footers were 4 wts. Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
Rick