I think you will be pleased with the St. Croix rod. I have 2 9'6" 8wt. Avids, and have caught hundreds of steelies and salmon with them. St. Croix has excellent customer service when you slam a tip in the car door(free repair or replacement with paid shipping). I also have the Avid 9' 4wt for trout. If you are fishing for steel or salmon, I would go with the best quality reel you can afford. Check e-bay and BB for deals. I feel strongly that Ross Reels are top notch. I use their cheaper line, the Cimmaron and have not had one fail. Go with a disk drag, not a clicker drag. You will probably want an extra spool, so you can have a sink tip or sinking line on one and your floating line on the other, makes changing up much easier. Multi-tips are great for changing sink tips, but their floaters stink. Shop around once you decide the brand and model you want, you will find some great deals.
Glad to have another fly-guy out here! Tight lines!