For everything I'm up to I run a 9' 7wt glass. I like the action and I don't fear for it's life when I get into something bigger than I expect.
An aside: I try to live by Adam Savages theory on gear where you should start by buying the cheapest functional tool for the job you want to get into...
Hey I went to HHS too! Weirdly good education for a smaller community. I'm trying to get my sister to come up here and get out of the city so my niece can go to a decent school
Everything is up in the air this year on where I'll be but I'd like to:
1. Catch a Salmon on something other than a bead.
2. Explore more rivers other than my local waters.
3. Catch something in the salt water. We don't have flats here so its gonna be creative..
Brother I hope you realize thats a great time for a half, you didn't limp through it you crushed it. If you haven't already you should hit a marathon or a 50k! That time would qualify you for any of the ultras around me no question.
I understand if you don't want to but if you're willing to ship I can swap that zipper out in no time and put it back up on here. I'm no artist with my sewing machine but zippers I can do well...