[Rick J]

only fished the Sandy a few times but from what I recall, it isn't that deep so will not require many locations where heavy tips and flies are needed so I would go with the 7 as suggested above - see some line options from Kiene's site

http://flyshop.kiene.com/echotrspey7130.aspx

 

[Rick J]

I don't think that you will really be able to cast any further with an 8 than with a 7. You can certainly throw heavier tips and flies with the 8 if that is what you typically plan to do and if so maybe you go with the 8. But I own two 7s and have never had an issue throwing stuff as heavy as I would ever want to go and that includes 15' of T14. would an 8 do it easier - maybe but most of the time I can get by with MOWs in the 7.5 range or at most say 10' of T14 and this is no issue at all with a 7