Peter, I need some spey rod advice.

I was having a tough day trying to recall what few hints a guide gave me
on spey casting and I was not having much success. Another fellow was
above me and was making wonderful casts. He could, I think, write his
name in the air with that spey line. His casts were perfectly straight
and he was fishing the instant the fly hit the water. He was fishing a
Loop rod. I, on the other hand, was busy making constant mends and roll
casts to straighten my line.

Later I had a brief conversation with him. He caught his first
steelhead in 1984, and has been spey fishing since. He asked me what
rod I was using and I told him the make and model. He laughed and told
me that he had that model as his first rod, and could not cast worth a
darn. He then bought another rod and has been casting since.

Question: Do you think the Hardy Elite (13' 4", 9 wt.) a poor choice on
which to learn spey? I got a great deal so I will not have lost much
money if I sell it and buy another brand.

Feel free to email if you have specific suggestions other than seek
additional lessons. I'm taking steps to take an "on the water" course.
I don't think taking lessons on grass is to my liking.