I have cast as big as a 6 on my 3 weight and 8 on my 2 weight. I mostly use 8 or 10 on my panfishing.

One determining factor in the size of the fly that can be cast (easily) might be the action rating (slow, med, fast) of a particular rod.
In my rather limited experience my slow action (cane & glass) rods seem to be less friendly when trying to cast larger (heavier/bulkier) flies.
But I usually fish rods rated med/fast, and it takes a short adjustment period when I pick up a slow action rod to cast any fly.

I agree with wabi. My graphite rods which are faster cast oversized flys better than my slow action rods which are glass.
I can cast heavier flies with modified lines that give a short heavy shooting head. For example, starting with a #7 line I
shorten the shooting head such that the first 30 feet of line match a 3 wt line. With this line I can then cast a #8 or #6 with
my 3 wt graphite, 7.5 ft,

This type of casting stresses my shoulder and elbow more so I have to be cautious not to over do it limiting my casts to
between 30 and 40 ft.

Wind makes a difference when I cast oversized flys too. I like the wind pushing the fly forward. To avoid the fly hitting my body, I cast with the hand
that is on the downwind side so the fly is blown away from the body.

Opening the loop helps when I cast oversized flys too as the heavy shooting head will want to otherwise collapse.

Wheezeburnt
I'm in the same camp as you.
When l lived in British Columbia and was much younger l would huck large weighted nymphs with a 5 wt.
It wasn't pleasant. So l quit doing that. I didn't want to move to a heavier rod either.
The largest beadhead l huck now is a #14 on a 4 wt. rod.
I may not get as many trout as some but that's not what it's all about for me anyway.
I fish a 2 wt. a lot and the largest fly l cast would be a #16 and unweighted at that.
There are no rules and just depends on what you are comfortable with.
If you have access to a 9' 3 wt. give it a go.
Any shops in your area have a 9' demo?
Michael

More good input! Thanks, guys. Sounds like more rod acquisition may be in my future!
Not a lot of local opportunities to play with ul long rods. I live in salmon country, and a 5wt is considered a light rod. Almost all fly fishing is for Atlantic salmon; the bulk of trout fishing is with spinner and worm. I should say, though, that inroads are being made in trout and smallmouth bass fishing.
brent

Haha! good point!

I don't know if my own trouting experience from long ago using spinner and worm would support the 6:1 ratio, but it certainly would be in that direction. Gotta admit, not having to carry worms around was a partial motivator for me. Plus, my 'tutor' was more of a Halford than a Skues, and he introduced me to the visual joy of watching a dry fly taken off the surface.

But I still occasionally dig out the old Hildebrandt inline silver spinners and bait hooks, and dig a few worms when my goal is to fill the creel with eating-sized yellow perch. I do successfully pursue perch with MMMinnows on occasion, but I gotta say, that's one time when the 6:1 ratio seems about right. Oh, and its fun, too.
brent

I think ultralight fishing is only fun if the fly is appropriatly big or better say small... However, out on the river a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, if something shows up...





Hey Aaron! Depends on hugely the water, time of the year etc. I´d say. I know rivers in Slovenia that have the occasional very big brown trout in small salmon size. It`s always fun to watch fisherman who don't know the water throwing big streamers at them - they get completely ignored. But you can catch them on #18 or smaller micro nymphs. Or do it like some of the Italien fisherman, hook them with a #32 fly and 0,08 mm tippet (8X I guess...) - and break it off immedeatly afterwards In that case it`s fishing pressure.

Fishing for stocked rainbows, the method which includes the biggest shiny golden thing always wins - or the day they get stocked, something that looks like those little black things they got fed in their former concrete pool home.
On delicate, gin clear waters with natural fish, an inline spinner will get you maybe a few fish, whilst the right nymph will get you 50+ bites. I know a river where in October when you fish for grayling, an inline spinner will probably get you nothing but big frustration and a #22 black ant or midge will get you basically a bite or more every cast - in case you miss the first... - my girlfriend once quit after 2 hours, because she was annoyed playing the fish and unhooking them - she said she just wanted to stand in the water, be quiet and cast

So it kind of comes down to match the hatch or use a worm - which is always the best method

Gerhard, I'm really looking forward to flying over to fish with you sometime. Think we can make a quick side trip to Bosnia, too? I've recently watched some videos ....

Brent, all I got to say about that is to quote the master himself:

“My attitude is, if it won’t take a fly use lures. If it won’t take lures, use bait. I’m not one of those guys who only fly fishes or only uses dry flies. Those guys are missing out. I’m going to catch the **** fish one way or another.” – Lefty Kreh, Issue 5 of The Mission, Sept. 2017

Brent, I keep seeing this thread and backing away; I'm certainly not as accomplished a caster as many of the folks here. But I decided to sound off anyway; just to add another perspective to the mix. My two UL rods are a TFO 8' Pro II 2 weight and a TFO Finesse 5' half weight. Both rods are used primarily in salt water, but they see some fresh water (and smaller flies -- sometimes) from time to time. The flies I use most are tied primarily on #4 Gammy SC15s and weighted with small brass beadchain eyes or a 5/32" brass beadhead. I also use a #6 Billy Pate for some of them, but the Eagle Claw hooks are much heavier so they are mostly reserved for the two weight, and tied only if I am out of the SC15s. The flies are a simple sparse tie of marabou, craft fur, krystal flash, or very thin sliced rabbit fur.

Now, Aaron and Larry have seen me cast. They will tell you it ain't very pretty....... But I generally manage to get the cricket close enough to the fish to get a few eats. My winter speck spot requires 50'-60' casts for the best results, and I generally have no problem with the 2 weight. The half weight is a bit more of a challenge, but certainly manageable, and well worth it when a 22" speck gets that BVK 0 clicker screaming . A video of me chucking those weighted flies with that 5' half weight would surely drive a casting instructor to drinking -- or hari kiri -- but I am able to accomplish the mission. Needless to say, no such video exists........

I can say this: I find it easier to cast those weighted flies with the 5' half weight than casting the 3/0 large lead eye streamers I took to Louisiana that I had to throw with my 9' 8 weight when I busted the stripping guide on my 10 weight on my bull red trip.

Give casting the bigger flies some effort; I think you can get it done. I certainly believe that a longer rod will help, but you just need to feel your way into the necessary technique for chucking oversized crickets. It'll happen if you want it to. Best of luck!

Brent: PM sent