Over the years I have tried many rods and reel combinations, split cane, fibre glass and now carbon fiber. Should I have to choose an all round rod for all the small streams I have fished for over sixty years I would choose an 8ft 6in medium action carbon fiber 5wt with a dull colour DT line very carfully matched to the rod. As most casting is less than 10 meters a 6wt is often the first choice as the rod is more easily loaded with an over weighted line. Only on very small streams which are heavily overgrown is a short rod neccessary and one that I have in mind I used a 6ft 6in split cane rod in the tunnel of trees that overhung the water. That was until I hooked a small salmon which smashed rod line and all. This only goes to show that small streams at certain times of year can hold some very large fish. My daughter has a rather nice expression which fitts this thread "What ever floats your boat is the best!"