For me, it’s my Winston IM6 8’6" 5-weight 3-piece. I bought it in 1994 and it’s been my go-to rod ever since. Dries, wets, nymphs and small streamers – it can do it all.
Sage 490 RPL and a Forecast 9’ 4wt 4pc I built a few years ago (the Sage is my sentimental favorite but it’s a 2 pc and doesn’t travel out west with me any more). Summer 2010 - YNP, upper Madison, Rock Creek, etc I fished the Forecast the entire time; never did have enough wind where I needed the 6wt.
Regards,
Scott
Medium streams… my 9’ 3wt Sage Z-Axis - Custom Build
Small streams… my 6’9" 4wt Winston LT - Store Bought
Best Regards…
Thanks everyone – a wide variety!
For dry fly fishing: Orvis Far-n-Fine bamboo 7’6" 5 wt.
For nymphing: Sage ZXL 490-4.
(Good second choices, if I may):
Dries: Winston - Tom Morgan Favorite
Nymph: Loomis 9ft 4wt Streamdance
Brian
I take it many of you pack two rods on streams and creeks right? One for dries one for nymphs.
The rod I take w/ me on an outing for small-med streams like the Ausable or Manistee depends on what I plan to fish (dry vs. nymph vs. small streamer), but I use one of these:
Scott G2 8’8" 4 wt
Winston JWF (WT in 8’6" 5 wt)
Winston Biit 8’5" 4 wt
Winston Biit 7’6" 3 wt
There are those variables that makes just one rod impossible - however - my favorite main stay fly rod has been the 5wt, so much so I have three of them - An 8’ med action, a 9’ med action and a fast action 9’. But since the Au Sable in Michigan was already mentioned, fishing downriver from Mio to the 4001 bridge, on my trips there I’ve found there to be some real windy stretch at times; and since the river usually wide I prefer using my “windy river” rod … a 7wt 8.5 footer.
Goddes, they both like a #6, silk DT in my hands. I rarely take two rods, those are just the preferred flys with those rods, I’ll throw anything. It is somehting of a rush when you hook a fish with a rod, line and fly combination from the distant past of fly fishing. Onlything I lack is a reel from the era.
Sexy there Sharps. About the only rivers I think 6 wt is the Snake. As for the posted small or medium stream, maybe that is what you have so you go for it and what a wonderful choice.
I could make a list of rods to fill this posts question with several wonderful rods from a LL 2 wt to a JWF. There are a few, but the Test is my go to and it will cast streamers, nymphs, and tiny dries. I do always pack a back up but it stays in the car as I travel light on streams and creeks 
For me? The last one off my wrapper.
My absolute favorite was a Cortland GRF 3wt. Since then, I have fallen in love with my TFO 6’ 2wt.
TT.
Goddess
You raise an interesting quesation – My brother always carried two rods – the one not being used propped against a tree. For those that do carry two rods how do you carry the second rod?
Another vote for the Orvis Far and Fine. I love this rod.
Small water: haven’t found anything to beat the best deal going for small streams- the Cabela’s Three Forks 3-wt. rod. It’s a three piece rod that sells for a nickel under fifty bucks. I fish it with a 4-wt. DT line. Never failed me, and has a perfect action (for me, of course) up to maybe 40 feet.
Medium water: used to have the Winston 8 1/2 ft. 5-wt, 3-piece rod. Sold it during a difficult time. I’m very good friends now with a TFO Finesse series rod. 8’9" for a 5-wt. line. Very smooth rod.
Chuck
When on foot the second rod is in one of Dan Blanton’s “Rigged and Ready” rod bags, to which I added a strap, I sling it across my back.
I generally carry two or three rods with me. When the van is close by I just leave the rod strung and ready under some blankets. When hiking I use a pvc tube with a strap to sling over my shoulder.
My most used rod this last year was my 9’, 4wt. Fenwick Iron Feather. Also enjoyed a weekend with a Shapleigh’s 9’, 6wt. 3/2 bamboo (my first outing with bamboo, but not my last.)