I want to build a 3 wt rod for a friend of mine.

Small meadow stream, 20 to 30 foot casts - tops.

All dry fly. 

Maximum trout size is about a 12"  brown.

6' to 6'6 I suppose, but I'm open to suggestions.

Joe Kimsey is 80 but can still bang out a full line with an 8 wt.  He has a disciplined casting style.  (Leonard Baker)

If you would go 7' a Garrison 201 is hard to beat.  (Joe Arguello)

I love my 6’ 3 wt. I built from Cattanach's taper.  I do just the type of fishing you are describing, except that "meadow" does not describe the streams I use it on.  "Hemlock snaggy velcro-brush-lined" is much more accurate.  It speaks volumes that I like to fish this rod in places like that, but also where I have room to cast more.  I find it to be very versatile.

The action goes way down into the grip, so if you don't like that kind of thing, you might not care for the rod.  Personally, I think it is great on this particular rod and is perfect for the really short casts on really small streams.  Again, versatile.  (Carl DiNardo)

I'm not a big fan of really light lines, especially anything under a 4wt. With that being said, there is one 3 wt taper that I like and would fish under circumstances that called for it. That's the 6'8" F E Thomas 3 wt. It is an exceptionally nice taper.  (Will Price)

I have made several of Wayne's 6' 3 piece 3 wt tapers Like them a lot. Just finished one about a month ago.  (Tony Spezio)

I have made that rod and it a fine tool.  (Gary Nicholson)

It is a sweet little rod is it not, I have another ready to wrap. I was fishing the first one I made on a small creek here for Bluegills and hooked into a 2 pound bass. I did get to land it on that small rod.  (Tony Spezio)

6'8" FE Thomas - absolutely great 3 weight.  (Bob Williams)

I have a G197 Garrison 6'9" 3 wt. that I like very much. Bruce Howell built it for me back in the 80's. There is a 7'9" 3 WT that I am wanting to try real bad.  (David Roberts)

Thanks for the great suggestions.  Thomas, Leonard, Garrison, Cattanach.  So many to choose from. I'll probably make them all!

Again,  many thanks.  I'll keep you all appraised of my halting progress. I get my shop rewired weekend after next; the garage was so dark the lightbulbs carried flashlights. (Leonard Baker)