Peter Charles wrote

I've been fishing for steelies with a 6 wts too, but after getting
my
butt handed to me, I put it back in the closet. I don't think a 6
wt.
is compatible with C&R. I do think it is compatible if you intend
to
kill and eat the fish.

We'll have to disagree here. The vast majority of steelheading I do
is with a floating line for summer run fish that average 4-8 pounds
and rarely exceed 10-12 pounds. I think a 6wt, fished with 1X or 0X
by an angler willing to fight from the cork and break fish off if
necessary, is WAY more compatible with C&R fishing for average
WA/OR/CA summer runs than is an 8wt or 9wt fished with 4X. I wouldn't do
this if I weren't sure of it. Most of the rivers I fish in OR have both
hatchery fish, which are harvestable and wild fish, which must always be
released).

The only river I fish regularly that I wouldn't use a 6wt on for summer
fish is the North Umpqua, where the summer runs can be much bigger. If
I ever fish the Skeena, or some other BC systems, I'll fish 8 and 9
weights. Wind, weighted flies, sinking lines, and larger average fish
(e.g., here, winter runs), all call for a heavier rod.

JR