Designed by legendary US Spey rod builders Bob Meiser and Mike Kinney the Deer Creek two handed rods by Temple Forks Outfitters are a well respected series. I bought this rod new as a back up rod, but as I own a 4#, 5# and 6# double handed rods it really is surplus to requirements. It handles Rio Skagit lines in the 375 - 400 grain range with ease and OPST lines around 300 - 325 grains. It will turn over 10 foot of T8 or T11 and a tungsten bead streamer with ease. The stated grain window is 300 - 500grains, but you have to keep in mind that Meiser includes the sink tip as well as line weight in the grain weighting of his rods. The rod has a progressive taper and is on the medium side of medium fast making it a forgiving and easy rod to cast as fun to play fish on. It would be a great rod for a beginner or intermediate spey caster. It is a great rod for the Tongariro, particularly in wind and higher flows where 4 weights can struggle.