I have the 8'6" 5/6 and the 8'6" 7/8. Love 'em both. On the 5/6 I use a 5 weight Ambush, but I think the Ambush lines are generally heavy .... On the 7/8 I use an 8 weight intermediate for throwing streamers ...

Last post kinda reminds me of one of my favorite segments on the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.
Steffen rates the rods for the first number on a 3/4 rod to be 3 for a DT and 4 for a WF. Something Mark told me while I was ordering my first rod from him. John Wallace is correct as it pertains to Steffen Brothers rods.

I like mine with the heavier rating, as well. Loads quicker at short ranges where most of my trout fishing takes place. I prefer DT for its more delicate presentation.

my dos pfennig

I don't disagree with you Nicodelbosque, but my statement has to do with a comment directly out of the Fenwick catalog.

I think, regarding Steffen, Mark's suggestion regarding line weight (and not Fenwick) would be the best starting point. Where one goes after that depends upon the individual and their uses. As for me and my 8' 3/4, I was prepared to strongly prefer the rod as a 4 weight, in either DT or WF. However, I was pleased to see that a 3DT was just as enjoyable and the 3WF was pretty close.

I mean, really, who give's a sh!t other than the person casting the rod? Intent only gets you so far. If what was "intended" for a particular rod doesn't work for you, well, try something else. Everyone has different preferences with regard to....well, anything.

Wow! I ran across this old thread started by me, and can’t believe it took over six years for me to get a Steffen rod.
I bought a Graywolf built 5/6 Steffen in August from a board member for my birthday. I only wish that I had done it earlier, it’s the nicest rod I own.

The Steffens are progressive tapers with fairly fast tapers (fine tip/some reserve power in the butt) so this makes them versatile. The action doesn't so much change with an increase in load as just slow some. As you go heavier on the line the amount of reserve power gets used up so there's less room to force a cast.

If I thought I was going to be casting in breeze or longer range I would choose a rod where the lower rating matched the line I would want to use. Fishing at short to medium range and feeling mellow I might go for a rod where the higher rating matches my line of choice.

Ideally, line choice comes before rod choice.

Thanks for the kind offer, I may take you up on it sometime, not knowing any other glass guys locally means not getting to try all these great rods.