Long is not better when it comes to drift fishing (usually). Longer means heavier (usually). We call Kore's 1265 the "Meat Stick" when fishing the Wind with floats.

Personally, I'd tell you to stick with a 8' 6" rod. Just get one with a good backbone and some sensitivity.

The rod that comes to mind is the IMX 1025. Sensitive, light weight, and has a serious backbone. 30 pounds is the largest salmon I've landed with that rod to date, and that wasn't a problem. You can fish it all day and not kill your wrists at the end of the day.

I'm sure Lami makes a Titanium version of something similar to the 1025. Sensitive, yet beefy and light. That's what you want for a drift rod.

Don't get suckered in to that long rod theory for drift fishing. If you are in tight areas and need to put the thumb to a fish (like the wind in the canyon), you probably will want the 1265. Aside from that, if you're not combat fishing for nooks, the 1025 is a good rod.