8 wt is good. Other than two-handed rods, an 8 wt single hand fly rod has been my go to steelhead rod for over 30 years, before that a 9 wt fiberglass for a few years, and before that a 7 wt fiberglass - that really was a bit on the light side. From what I read here, when it comes to nymphing on the OP and BC, beads are the real deal. In OR north coast rivers, they seem to like bead head egg patterns, and really clean house with those.

And what Bob said. If you present it right, they will eat it.

Sg