While I concur that an 8 1/2'/#4 may well be the optimal configuration for a technical, compound dry fly presentation on spring creek type water, which one is best will never be reached by consensus. In this size, I have fished over the years Winston WT & BIIx, GLX, Nti Nano, Orvis Trident, EXS, Zenith, StreamDance HLS and, currently Sage ONE. The Winston's are both too soft in the upper taper for technical work, the GLX was truly the best in its time, the Nano too was a game changer, the Orvis was a prototype that was excellent but never saw production, EXS was a sleeper but very fine, and the Hardy is well loved by many, me too but I tired of it and replaced it with the terrific StreamDance. The Sage ONE was a revelation similar to original GLX and is head and shoulders above the rest for me. New X in this size is also a stand out but the ONE is more finely honed to sharper responsiveness. I do love and rely upon rods in this size.