Try calling NW Angler in Poulsbo and see if they still have the used St Criox spey rod for sale. One of their guides, a friend of mine, is selling his used spey for something like 125 but dont quote me on that. Its a really good rod and you might want to check it out.
Otherwise I would go for the 8 because if you want to use it for winter runs as well as summer runs, theer is always the possibility of a 20 pounder in the winter or a king in the summer/fall.