10 or 11

I m thinking of getting a new pole. My current one is a 9 footer. I think the longer pole will help me keep the line off the water and roll cast a bit better. I fish alone 90% of the time and landing fish is an issue as many places I have to net them myself. So give me some pros and cons of a 10 or 11 foot pole. Is the extra foot going to be enough to make a difference or should I go 2. 

Fly pole. I have an 11 spin I use for floats that I like alot.

The 11 is likely to lead to more rock massaging steel. I put an extension on my net handle. The extra foot is good at mending and working a longer line,  especially when swinging flies. However, handling an 11' rod single hand can get tiring, and I think you'll find any of the road to recovery you haven't traveled will quickly be causing pain. Pain to get through the woods, too. I like mine for  various reasons, but at this point in the season have gone back to the 10' 7 wt. The 10' is a gain for the reasons you stated, Clint, and also will protect tippet better with the longer tip section. It's not the tip that's longer , but the taper is spread out over the longer length. I'd highly recommend trying the rod out in the lot with an old line before buying. I've never asked nearer Plasky but Malinda doesn't mind you taking them outside and even has reels loaded up for lot casting. If you're looking for a one rod to do all, an 8 will do better on salmon and big steel, but will likely be too heavy for light tippet. You could break out the 9 footer for sharks.  I'd try a 10' 7 and see what you think. If you have an 8 wt. salmon/steel line, don't hesitate to try it on a 7. They'll work better on rolls and flips with less than 20' of the belly out, especially with a little weight or bigger flies. 

I agree with that. 8wt for shark season and 7wt for steel is exactly what I do also. Check out www.Alekasports.com . They have some nice rods at a reasonable prices.

Always take a look in the Pineville shop when comparing prices -seem to find some great deals in there. Great folks too.

Clint, take a gander at the Sage 99 (9' 9") series rods.  I know they are pricey but the length may just be what you are looking for.  http://www.sierratradingpost.com/sage-99-series-fly-fishing-rod-4-piece-99-4-8wt~p~6449f/
 

Thanks guys I think your right the 10 sound good. Now to get some $$$$$$ together.

Why take the fun out of saying, "I have......"  He who dies with the most toys wins!  lol
When my days are done my wife will be giving away my prized possessions and at that point it won't matter what I bought or paid.  Just enjoy the ride.

Rich, some guys have all the luck.  I depend on youtube to find my musical selection these days.
 

Clint, how soon are you looking to buy?

I've got an 11' in #7 and #9. Maybe we can hook up on the water one day and you can try one out. Been the least amount of outtings for me ever since I've been fishing the area.... But I definitely need to get a good steelhead fix soon!

Hey---Got a 30 year old Ugly Stick 10 wt  fly rod from my snagging days for sale-- its a very very valuable antique with a real history behind it= will sell for about $1500 bucks complete with photos of Kings with rip marks and a hand written certificate of authenticity. ( the reel is extra)

My reel is a Cortland magnum.
Got it in the early 90s when I was part time shop ratting and selling flies threw the shop.
With the discount I think it cost 59 bucks.
Still kickin 
Ain't pretty and makes noises it didn't use to make but still my go to reel til it finally seizes up.
 

AS the rod is what is used to cast, if the reel is more important, that is an outright admission that there is no casting or finesse, just chuck the weight and get that 1/0 estatz down there.  RG beat me to the ugly stick, but that has been the standard single hook snagger tool for ever on the LO tribs, 8-10 weight Ugly stick with a Martin 72 automatic, cut your line expense by just using 30 lb stren.  When they graduated to pro-lifter, the lifters all went with the Fin Nor multiplier, that gold color stood out from a long distance.
 
L13 

Last year, a guy tried fishing the LFZ near the bridge with a fly outfit, except he didn't have a fly line attached.  It looked like 30lb stren...He got promptly chased out by the guys already in the spot and looking for any reason to make him go away.