Replying to my own comment here. I'm sure there may be many others who've done the same, and perhaps you too OP had ended up doing the same; Just add an MTB chain guide to the mix. I used a seatpost mounted chain guide that extends out over the chainring. It's really noodly to set it up properly, it has three adjustable set screws, but once you've got it dialed in, you're good to go. I found what I needed on eBay, I couldn't find this particular product at the on-line US bicycle parts stores (whom I prefer even if more expensive), it sold under the name "ZTTO chain guide" just google it and it'll turn up for a low price on Ali Ex, Amazon and so on. I didn't go with the ones that attach onto the bottom bracket, because LOL it would bring out the chainline by a couple of extra mm's further. Ahem, "no." Just the seatpost one.

....I can rely on a bit more of my granny gears now. I know, I know, it's not a "clean look" to add a chain guide. But it really doesn't bother me.

For Steel Frames / Surly's;

I am waiting on one tool presently to install a "gnot boost" hub on that afore mentioned Surly Bridge Club bicycle. The gnot boost is a bit of a rabbit hole to discuss on this forum, suffice to say that 2016/17 and later models of certain Surly bikes have the ability to flex by like 3 milimeters back and forth because the chromoly steel frames are designed / forgiving. So I'm ditching the 135mm rear wheel / hub for a 141mm rear wheel / hub. (The Bridge Club has 138mm rear hub flex spacing 138-3=135mm. 138+3=141mm). This will bring the chainline out marginally. Also the new rear hub has the possibility to bring out the cassette out by a couple of mm's by opting for a 10speed cassette--Spacers are required in fact--. I will update after I get that all done. Right now I'm still missing the largest granny gear--even with the mtb chain guide w/ a 135mm hub and 7 speed freewheel.

BTW there are videos on "stretching" steel frames, but it's a complicated process. I like that Surly has made their "gnot boost" engineering approachable to the average person as opposed to DIY frame stretching. Though yeah, finding a 141mm qr gnot boost hub for my Surly was slim pickings it's an odd size.

Safety Advisory Not at all advised to stretch an alluminum frame, and I can't imagine it with a carbon frame ever!! They are brittle compared to steel.