I am just like you with single foot guides, I use them on rods less than 6 weight, as I think it is possible to gain in the action of the rod from the lightened guides.
It will be fine to build the rod as a single handed rod, I would though use a Full Wells grip so you can hold it well. I bought a 10 weight Sage that had a Cigar grip on it and I almost laughed, it was just the wrong grip for a 10 weight. Another thing to consider is a full aluminum reel seat for anything that goes out on the salt. There are less crevaces and places that salt can be retained on the full aluminium seat than on the seats that allow inserts. And yes, you want a fighting butt, probably a 2", and I would consider just permanently mounting it, rather than having it removable. Rob -- In my family there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing. Norman Maclean
