Redhook,

Re: casting lessons. The Washington Fly Fishing Club offers lessons one evening a week at Green Lake (Seattle) around this time of year. If that's not close, look into whatever club is near you - ask at fly shops. Most offer fly casting and fly tying classes, usually for cheap.

8/9 Marquis is nice, and the 7 is a bit small. I have a 7 and a 9/10. I use the 9/10 on an 8100 RP.

You may have gotten 60-80' feet out, but dollars to doughnuts you didn't cast 80' of fly line. A 444 Peach is not a 333; otherwise it wouldn't be a 444. Some people like the 333 lines. I don't. There are better options in that price range, like the Orvis sale I posted about above. As I said, I've got a 444 that's 30 years old, and it casts just fine.

Sorry about the loss of your dad. That sucks and shows that life ain't fair some times. Honor his memory and learn to use the gear he left you. Like an angler. Not a cracker.

Sg