********* 8’6” and 8’9” I also have really enjoyed the Orvis and Epic 8’ rods.

Fenwick FF70, 70-4, & 705.

Intuitive and accurate is going to depend on each person's intuition and accuracy


The VF805 is a lightweight, sensitive and snappy S-glass rod, and I can't imagine any open water condition it couldn't handle (won't fit in tight spaces).
This day, was wading the shelf of the deep flagstone hole down from Wagonwheel crossing - these are our natural lakes produced when flooding lifts the limestone strata to make a hole and build a natural dam. We usually sound and sight-fish the clear deep structure with a sinking line. But today, far ahead of my wade, could see a good bass rising to feed on the shelf. Made the rare swap to a floating line and slider, and the rod gave me the long surgical cast I needed to respond to his next rise.

Same rod, in tailrace monsoon flow, swinging streamers on a T-130 following a long cast and drift, checking for summer rainbows on the submerged gravel bar tailout - oops, didn't get a rainbow on the swing, but 2 of these (Barking Dog Pool)

and high-sticking +swing, BWO hatch in pocketwater (Mad Rock)

I'd have to call the VF805 a pretty versatile rod.

and doesn't change my initial answer - System 5 is the most intuitive rod I've ever fished (could plug in any Fisher glass or graphite here), and Lami Perigree is the most intuitive rod I've ever handed to a friend to fish (people coming from 9' graphite want to take this little pocket rocket home with them).

While I get Blondes and Brunettes joke, I'm asking as someone who is looking to replace a 5wt.
I recently traded my Steffen 4/5 2piece for a Steffen 3/4 3 piece, partly because I travel so much. I'm looking for a 3 or 4 piece 5 wt to replace it.
As I have a Steffen 3/4 and a Steffen 5/6 I am looking for something different that is special.

Since you have a 3/4 and a 5/6 Steffens and looking to get something different that is special, I would recommend Barclay’s Synthesis 79 4/5 3 piece. It cast true 4 weight line feeling progressive until a good amount of line is out and with a 5 the parabolic action really kicks in. I don’t have much experience of casting a bunch of 5 weights but I can tell this rod is special. He makes it in a 5 piece travel version as well.

I quite liked the Steffen 4/5 but had the chance to swap it for a 3piece 3/4, which was easier to travel with. If anything the 4/5 was a tad slower than the 3/4 and 5/6.

I just figured for a pure 5 weight, I'd try something different.

If you're looking for a 3-4 piece 5 weight, then that's a different story. My best casting 5 weights fitting that description are the Orvis Superfine Glass and the Fisher Travel 9' 5/6 IM6 graphite rod. The Fisher is very sweet casting, and extremely accurate with a 5 DT line. Another rod I've just started using is the Echo River Glass 8.5 foot. So far, I've been very pleased with its performance for accuracy and touch.

Ignoring the 3/4 piece preference, the Phillipson 6.5 and 7 foot rods are both wonderful 5 weights. As are the Fenwick FF805 and FF84.

While the Fenwick FF70-4, FF79, Cortland FR-2000 7.5 foot rods have all been mentioned (and I like them all), I prefer fishing them as 6 weights.

I have a 4 piece 8' 3" 5wt Winston (glass) that fits the bill and is the best I've fished. Pretty sure any fisher based Winston 5wt wouldn't disappoint.

Toss-up: Dusty's 895, Hallowell 8'1" 5wt and Scott F84.

I hate to say it but my all time favorite rod is my gloomis nrx lp 5 wt. Such a sweet casting rod, and the biggest trout I have ever caught was a big brown last spring on the Rifle river. This was a such a cool fish because it was close and I had to get him out of the cover right now, he had the rod rapped right around me as tried to get back to the cover. I kept thinking this thing is to blow up! But no, I landed the best brown I have ever caught. I like my 4 wt glass rods for some smaller to medium size rivers here when things look good. But otherwise the nrx comes out.

Sage SP895-5. Dusty’s 8’6” 5wt is a great rod, but I have yet to fish it.

I fished the Blanco River yesterday afternoon and used my FY910UL 7ft Wonderod made in 1968. Bass and sunfish were holding near the bank in heavy cover. This little rod was perfect for making 25-40ft casts to little holes under the tree branches and weeds that overhang the bank on the section of river I fished. I may have just had a good day, but the rod seemed to place a little popper right where wanted it cast after cast. It was the perfect 5wt for the water I was fishing.

Kenney's 8'3 4/5. The Quiet Loop 805 is also a great casting rod.