I've read all the tips on Todd's site and also some of the other sites listed - so I'll try to keep my questions limited to what I can't find answers for in the archive's.

Speaking of rods, I've read lots of the taper achieves and I think that the first rod I'll attempt will be either a PHY Driggs River, or Wayne's Sir D.  I'm new to fly fishing, just took it up this summer.  My family and I spend the summer (my wife and I are both teachers) on a river in the UP of Michigan so I tried it this summer and loved it.  I don't really know what kind of caster I am - just learning - and have a rod made of a material that is probably a dirty word on this list serve.  Would either of the rods I mentioned be better for small stream fishing - mostly for immature steelhead and brookies?  (Aaron Gaffney)

The rods you are thinking about are usually multi-piece rods.  Unless you intend to make a single piece rod 7' to 8' long, eliminating the need for ferrules, the 6' length will do just fine.  Make but butt section from the lower portion and the tips from the upper section.

Nothing is wrong with the tapers you mention.  They are super, proven tapers.  We all might have our favorites, but  the Driggs and Sir-D are great tapers.  Have at it.  (Russell Dabney)

I've made the Driggs River and love it, I've also lent it out to lots  of friends and they love it too, good choice!  (Danny Twang)

I'm getting ready to ramp up to finish rod #3.  My first rod was the Driggs River and I love that rod.  It's VERY parabolic (it bends well into the handle) and delivers flies very delicately.  Also, an 8-10" fish feels like a whale on it!  Great selection.  (Scott Turner)