congrats on the gift. I also received a TFO proffesional 2 in a 9ft 7wt from my wife.
The weather has been crap here today and I have not got a chance to try it out but cannot wait till I do.
I bought a 9' 9wt proffesional 2 a few weeks back and throw a 350 grain intermediate line on it and it does an awesome job. I hope both our rods bring hours of enjoyment for us both. an 8 wt lends me to believe you are going for larger fish than just whats in the mountains. Post some pics of the pigs you land on that rod.