Maybe that was kinda overstated. Just mean the rod should be soft enough overall that even smallish trout, those occasional 7-9" fish caught in a river that normally yields fish that average in the 12" range, would put a bend you could feel in the rod. This is definitely a river rod. I catch a lot of fish in the 14-20" slot in this river, the water is crystal clear most times, and you need to be able to fish at fair distance to take the wary veteran fish. Reach and mending ability are a premium consideration. Tippet protection is HIGH priority too. There are such rods out there, and a 6wt rod can do everything a 5wt can only better in most cases. Midges to streamers