Part of the problem is it feels undergunned to me (using a DT4 SciAngler Mastery DT (which has the shortest front taper out there) unless I am casting 60 feet, then it loads but isn't accurate. On the other hand, my TMF 8'0" 4wt does the same things with ease using the same line so go figure.

I had an identical problem with a 7 foot 4/5 bamboo so I went with a 4.5 silk line and even then it is a struggle. It's as if it's a 5wt for casts up to 30 feet, a 4.5 wt from 35 to 40 feet and a 4wt beyond that. That's the way the Steffen feels to me, it doesn't know what it wants to be.

Coincidentally, the bamboo & the Steffen are the ONLY (and last) slash rods I own. I know that all rods will handle a range of lines, but it's weird to me that it is only these two I have an issue with.