8# is for smaller rivers!! ie wynoochee, etc. or from a boat on the cowlitz or a couple other place sthere where i have room to manuaver,
can't use 8# at barrier or blue creek, you'd be re-tying every other cast, i use 10# or 12# on the cowlitz --- as to losing fish, that's all about drag, pressure, & space... i don't have the exact ratio but, i certainly land more than i lose when fishing @ barrier or blue creek, especially barrier, i'm thinking i'm 9 out of 10?, i have no problem walking them down to the boat launch if need be...