flyguy66,
I own a variety of rods from 5' up to 9' in length. That is why I mentioned switching to the longer rods, not buying as I already own them. I have 5,6,7, and 8 weight lines in WF-F, an 8 weight intermediate sink tip and both 6 and 8 wt DT-F. I am one of these guys that preferred the short to medium length rods say the 5 foot rod up to and including my 7'6" 7wt glass. I may be able at tax time to pick up something off of ebay in the tenkara area but it wont be anything expensive for sure. The shorter rods worked better on the brush choked native brook trout streams in our county but my wading days are gone. I do not trust my sense of balance enough to wade.
You know what kind of pain I am in. I have bilateral facet disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease, epidural lipomatosis, multiple dessicated and collapsed discs along with two herniated discs. L4-L5 disc is partially collapsed while L5-S1 disc has totally collapsed resulting in the shifting of the vertebrae, stenosis, pinched nerves and bone on bone. Also have the same things going on in the thoracic region. I ain't complaining though just saying if you know what I mean. I am thankful just to be alive every day. Thankful to folks like you for helping me too. My dad just turned 80 on the 23rd. His favorite saying is "We're in pretty good shape, for the shape we're in".
I will say a prayer for you.