Thanks to all who have given me advice on this already.  Can you clue me in a bit more as to all the tapers, what kind of line to have put on it?  Spey???  Different types of rods?  How is LL Bean?  They have a good rated ultra travel rode and reel combo for about $225 with case and line on it.  Thanks. 
PS-While I was up there I ate at Eddy's  and the bar next to the Altmar Bridge.  I'm sure most of you have been there plenty of times, but I would definitely recommend both.
I also added pictures to my previous post.
 
 

dt, there are different descriptions  for tapers, but the most common is related to speed. Most common graphite  rods will be designated med. fast or fast. Kind of vague , but, essentially fast means the rod will be stiff pretty much past the 1/2 way point and will only have a lot of flex in the tip section. They have a lot of power for throwing long casts and weight and fighting big fish. What they don't do, is protect tippet or make delicate casts very easily. When the rod bends the tip will bend quickly, but the mid and butt sections will describe  a much shallower arc.  Rods with the designation med.fast or slow will do this better, with a taper that allows more of the mid section and the butt to bend more evenly with the tip.  Fast rods  also don't cast well  in close  or excel in roll casting. Most mfg'ers  recognise how limiting this taper is and lean more towards medium fast for most of their rods, unless they are meant for the salt or chucking big  streamers.  Depending on what you want to do with your rod will influence what you choose. If you're looking for a rod to fish steel and salmon, a med fast taper is OK , and  I would shy from real fast tapers as they will not have enough give to protect against  break-offs. A 10' or 11'  rod will do a better job at roll casts and protecting from break-offs, as the bend is distributed further along the rod and creates a longer , softer tip section. That's why switch rods are so popular. Longer rods are better for getting good drifts and mending line, too.  I had one classic Bean rod I gave away quite awhile ago and have looked at and cast a few others. I find no fault in them and they are a good company.  I would lean towards a longer rod of 9'6" or more if you are getting a rod for steel or salmon. For the close in work on the SR, a Weight Forward/Floating line will work, but I'd hjighly suggest going up one line weight above the rod to help in casting. Spey and Salmon/Steelhead lines will quickly go into a heavy head to help roll casts and short line fishing. The specialty lines cost more.  They also will help single hand Spey casts, something I do about 80 percent of the time on the SR.  A combo will perform pretty well, and if you're getting an 8 wt. , the line will be heavy enough not to have to worry about a weighted rig or an indicator not turning over.  There's alot to this topic and if you have specific questions, I'll try to answer them.  For now, I'll let others add their input.  I agree with your eats review, though I have had a really bad meal at Eddie's. I think some places go through cooks pretty often. I had fried chicken that was totally crap and I couldn't eat it. The batter was almost 3/4" thick and the chicken was red  raw inside.My wife had a burger that was cooked to shoe leather. We're not fussy, but that was BAD.   On the other hand I've  had the all you can eat fish and liked it very well, and another time the meat loaf.  I don't go to the river to eat, I'll tell you that. Good luck in your search for a fly set-up. 
 
Charlie

Cabelas has the Lamson konic reel on sale right now in the bargain cave.From what I have heard that is a good reel for the money,sealed water proof drag that is supposed to be smooth.The reel I'm using now is fine but thinking about this for a spare.Any opinions out there on this reel?

Jack, I first started using this style reel when they came out around '98. The original lasted 8-9 years  before dying of salt corrosion. Lamson gave me a new reel. I just completely disassembled and cleaned   both of my reels and they are working like new. The design is excellent.  As long as these reels (Konic  , being cast reel) don't hit the rocks, they are a very good reel. I had a friend drop his hard and it bent the spool rim. Lamson replaced it. They will scratch and nick easier than the machined and coated expensive models.  I'm curious why they are all on sale now. It's either they are coming out with a new reel or these are undercutting the sales of the more expensive ones. I think it may be both.  I know many people have bought the Konics rather than spending 300 plus for the same reel that's slightly more durable, a little lighter.  For 100 bucks it's a bargain, the 4  is normally 150-160.  I've seen them for 98.00, now.  By the way, I've seen a boatload of them on the river. They are a POPULAR reel.

great drag system....very hard to fry even with a good day's worth of big kings :)
 

Thanks for the input guys I live about 25 minutes from the Hamburg store so tomorrow while it's raining I'm going to go there and look them over.I need some revivex for my waders also,I finally washed them.

Sorry for the late reply and the folks here gave all solid advice.. Only my wooden knuckle to add..
 
The SA system  : I have never used them..  I have seen them.. The old school real deal ones..
A co worker has one that is real old (one i seen in action) and very well built.. In our time fishing together it worked like a dream while I used a orvis bk mid arbor iv.. He quit going to the SR 5 or more years ago and the reel (1 or 2, I dont recall) is a mounted show piece now..
If you can find a real deal , no plastic SA system  then in my view its a good reel.
 
Lamson Konic:
again I have never used 1.. Heard good reviews and I am quite sure Retiredguy (RT) bought one.. He (where is he ? ) would be the on site field tester..
As for the price/ They(konic) were totally over mass produced (not a bad thing) unlike a higher price end stock frame model and that is the price drop for those models.. Are they good, bad or ugly ? I don't know but I would sure like to feel one..
 
Charlie is correct..
The frames like many mid  ( in my range) price are cast... Cast is very suspectable to breaking off in chunks when abused..
If thats the only compromise then thats acceptable enough for me..
It's the reel against the fish that matters to me.. If I bad, then I got what I paid for..
BTW:
Cheap plastic or graphite is not acceptable at any price for those species..
 
The best advice that I can give is TRY, HOLD, FEEL before you buy..
Take the spool off, look at the bearings, look at all the mechanical parts, try to run all the on stream scenarios through your head..
Buying something without experiencing the above becomes a trial and error.. I have had many, we can only give advice , only you will be happy with the decision..
 
good luck and enjoy 
 
 

I too am contemplating a new reel and I am torn.   The Konic gets good reviews except that it is prone to damage if treated roughly.  If there is one thing I  am it is rough on equipment and I know it.   I have narrowed my choices down to the Konic,  a Pleuger trion and a Cortland Climax.  Have held them all in hand except the Konic.   I will probably go with the bigger size reel  as most are offered in a 7/8  then an 8 to 10 and load it with 8 weight line.  Just adding a bit more backing to take up the extra space.   Drove to Cortland Tuesday only to find the outlet store closes a 5 and I got there a 10 after.........

Well I went to Cabelas today to buy some revivex and look at the Lamson Konic.They don't stock the revivex but they did have the reel and now it's mine I also picked up a 8wt Rio WF trout line and 30# backing,the Rio was on sale for $45,and they spooled it for me.Soon as I got home I put it on my switch and tried the line in the backyard.....slick casting and felt good on rod.Then I put it on the 9.5 ft 6 wt to see how that felt,cast well but felt a little heavy,the reel is rated for 8 wt,but it balances OK so I'll use it there too
Now I've got to get on the water with my new toy!

Last time, when we were both hooked up my Lamson was not in perfect pitch with your reel, now they'll sing a perfect tune when we fish together....Glad you found some deals.  There's a push to head to the river if I ever saw one. 
 
Charlie