One of my favorite rods is a GL Loomis GL3 in 8’ 3wt. I’ve used it more than any others in the last 25 years and still enjoy it. Also have some other light graphites, 7’6” and 8’ 2 wts. The 8’ is a new to me Sage ZXL from my dad this spring that I haven’t used yet.

As far as glass, I’ve only had 5-7 wts until this year. I bought a Ben’s 703 from someone in the spring that Shane made, but wasn’t able to go out this year due to some unfortunate events. Hopefully this spring, I’ll get it out.

I fish 3wts a good bit, 6’6” to 8’1”, but not lighter very often. There’s one rod I fish with a 2wt, on one stream. Basically, I’ve found that 3wts allow me to regularly command a variety of dries to size 12, and some useful subsurface flies, but 2wt is just more limited, usually sizing out at 16 for me.

My two lightest:
Steffen 6’ 2/3wt, it will handle either line weight just fine.
CTS Quartz 8’-6” 3wt. I don’t use this rod all that much, but there are a few places where I fish that this rod can be a blast. 99% of the trout never go more than 14” and they love dries. I was a bit hesitant buying this blank, it does have its limitations as far as casting bigger dries any distance, so you lack the versatility of taking a 5wt out for the day, but when conditions are right and I know I’m not going to tank into a bigger trout, it’s a lot of fun casting dries to 12 - 14” bows.

One graphite 1 weight, somewhat disappointing.

A 6.5 ft 4 piece fiberglass 2 weight I built on a likely Asian blank that is surprisingly competent, along with a 7’3” Echo Carbon II graphite that is very nice.

Not sure how many 3 weights I have but at least 3 fiberglass, one bamboo, 3 graphite. Tops are a Blue Halo 7’6” and Dennis Stone Gale Creek 7’6” bamboo.

Heading out I’ll usually have an ultralight and a rod that can handle the forecast wind speed. I’ll fish whatever seems suitable when I get to the water.

I currently have 13 rods in 2 or 3 weight. Some of the 3 weight rods will also cast a 4 weight line. Of these, my favorites have become: ********* 703, CGR 6'2" 2 weight, Old Beech Quiet Loop 7'6" 3 weight, and a rod built on a 7'^' 3 weight CTS blank. Most of these were acquired for small stream fishing. Since my ability to wade streams has become quite limited, I am finding little use for the 2 weights. I still use the 3 weights to fish ponds or fish from the bank of a river or creek. I may be a little oversupplied with ultralight rods at this time.

Larry

in glass? probably my Steffen 5/6. I just don't fish tiny trout streams all that often. I do have a graphite euro rod that's labeled as a 10'6" 3wt that gets used frequently though, but that's really it.

If "what is the lightest rod you use" means rod weight, I have no idea without looking except to guess it is either a 7'9" 2wt Winston LT5 (graphite), a 7'6" 3wt Winston DL4 (graphite) or a 5'0" 3wt Winston Retro (glass) in my quiver.

If "what is the lightest rod you use" means line weight, all of the above plus glass 3wt's at 5'6", 6'0", 6'6", and two at 7'0"; two graphite 3wt. rods, one each at 8'0" & 8'6" and an Orvis 7/3 bamboo.

Lightest rods that I use are a Ben's S glass 0wt and 2wt.

CGR 2Wt..inexpensive & lots of fun

White perch


By-Catch, skinny spring run salmon

3 wt.i have several Favorite is Cabelas prime 6 foot.Second would be TFO first generation graphite.I bought it from Cabelas years ago.At the time they had 1 ,0 ,00 rods.Maybe Sage.Wish I would have got the 0 wt.

I occasionally use an original first year Sage "0" wt. This rod handles some impressive flies. Say up t and including a #12. Wonderful tiny blue line rod. Works well on some smaller spring creeks too.

I have a 1/2wt Aventik 6'1" fiberglass rod that I picked up this year and used a handful of times - fun, but wish it was 7'. I use the Cabela's CGR 2wt and find it a lot of fun on bluegill ponds and will be using it more on some small brooks around here, but always thought it was just a bit too noodly, but I am giving it more run time after having fun with a couple dozen bluegills the last outing. I have a CGR 6'6" 4wt that I prefer with a 3DT line and use that as well as a number of other graphite and glass rods in 3/4wt range.