What is the typical length of a cast should I be getting on a 6wt rod with say a # 10 wooly bogger?

to the backing!

No seriously, it really determines on how good of a caster you are, how the hard / direction the wind is blowing. You should be getting it to at least 30' easy.

I know alot of factors are in play, just wondering what a good average cast is.

If it is an unweighted bugger, I'd say you should be casting it almost as far as a the flyline and leader with nothing attached. At first it's tough to remember that heavier flies, like a beadhead woolly bugger, are tougher to cast well on a fly fishing outfit than lighter ones. It seems counter-intuitive to those of us who grew up on spin and baitcasting gear, but it's true.

I'd guess that I can cast a #10 bead head bugger in the 40' range pretty easily, but I've never measured it. The real 40' might be farther or closer than I think it is.

TxJole, My opinion is that my fly casts should be at least 60-75% as long as my casts with conventional tackle(spinning / casting). I like looking at it in this manner, as each angler will be different.

That said, I agree with Cole, and feel 30'-40' is a good average minimum capability, for any fly angler. And if nothing else, I would form my opinion, based on results. If you are catching fish, your casting distance is sufficient.

TxJole,

I agree with whats been said, but would add that casting accuracy and ability to deliver an accurate cast with minimum backcasts can be even more critical than distance...depending on the situation.

Set up a 1 foot circle at about 40 feet and when you can hit that most of the time with minimum backcasts under various wind conditions, you are ready for most fishing situations...ideally once you can hit 40 with accuracy, extend the distance but only with accuracy and min false casts....full disclosure...my opinion is biased toward salt water fly fishing, but even if that isn't on the table, accuracy and min false casting helps in most fresh water situations also.

Meadowlark,
Excellent points.

yep. a 60' cast that is 12' from the target is pretty useless. With that said, there is a reason that 30' of line is the "standard" AFTA weight thing. I would imagine that the average fisherman gets about 30' of line out with the required accuracy. But what many forget is that you have 9 foot of rod out in front of you as well as another 9 foot of leader, so you may be hitting a target close to 50 feet away. But I've never had a need to get a fly 50 feet away from where I'm standing.

Along the same lines, should i be able to cast my 3 weight as far as my 6 weight? I struggle to cast the 3 weight to about 60% to 70% of the 6 weight and have wondered if that is just a limitation of the lighter rod or a flaw in my casting.

JR

The one that puts the bugger where it needs to be for the fish the cast is intended for.

could be the difference in the rod itself which would require a slower or faster stroke, but the length of the rod makes a difference too. Longer lever=longer cast. But look at me talking like I know something about any of this.

JRGO,
Keeping in mind that a 6 wt is a heavier line, with that much more potential and kinetic energy, most of us throw bigger flies on bigger lines. In theory, you should be able to throw bigger, farther. However, (there's that word) there are SO many other variables in there, rod stiffness, Rod length, line stiffness, etc.
I usually manage to cast just over the head length of the line, usually about 40 feet, with either my 2 wt or my 5 wt. After that the limit is in the caster, not the equipment.

Kirk

Most of my casts are under 30' and I catch a heck of a lot of fish. It is rare to have to make casts further than that in freshwater. Don't worry about the length of your cast, but practice your accuracy. This article may open your eyes: http://www.warmfly.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=790.0

I wish I could cast as far as I can chuck a crankbait with a baitcaster. My cast are also in the 30 -30 foot range and that is adequate for anything I can catch.

Your not lying, I can chunk a crankbait a mile.