You haven't tried some of the recent broomstick winstons I can tell then
And no, definetly not a winston man

I think your HT 8 is the best rod out there that says 8 above the handle.
The whole what action you want and heavier line slows down the action myth is something I do not buy into
I agree it goes fly, suitable line and whatever stick that floats your boat. If I am fishing pike with long casts all day, covering alot of water, I opt for the shootinghead, weighing in somewhere less than what you are carrying for most of your shots

If I where doing precision shots with smaller flies, and fewer casts over the day, I would probably still use the same line, but would also be happy to use a full line instead, and then a lighter class.
Colour of the sun is depending on your ability to see colours, no wonder Frank saw it as blue
Cheers
Lasse