I have been using this 9'4" 7wt for 3 months now throwing streamers and mice in Chile, jig flies for speckled trout and redfish and gurglers & streamers for stripers over this past week. I am not using for subtle dry fly presentations so, at Joe's suggestion, its throwing an 8wt cortland floating line. The rod is an absolute rocket launcher. It loads effortlessly and both carries very long lines and throws the tightest loops on the forward and backcast of any rod I've owned including the best 8 and 9 wts out there. Pretty amazing performance also throwing a lead headed jig fly to reds and trout in open water. Fish fighting capability with this 7 weight would be fine for any wading approach that I can imagine. I haven't tested its vertical lifting ability from a boat yet but hope to this week. I have it paired with a Danielsson F3W 7ten which is perfect.