It is not just an "Eastern Thing", it also is helpful, in the "Upper Midwest", where we have dense foliage to the stream edge. Also, many of these streams have mucky bottoms, so it is impossible to go wading.

Rarely do we have a need to cast more than 30 feet (9 meters. Most of the casting, calls for a roll cast, or sideway cast (standing sideways to the stream with the rods tiptop, extended out over the stream), casting upstream.

A long fly rod, is more of a bother than worth, fishing these types of water. Also the fish a wee bit on the wee size. Anything over a 4 weight rod would be unnecessary. for these waters, it is nice to use leaky hip waders. They make great chaps to keep the burrs and bramble off of the trousers, and you can cut off the stocking feet, and tuck the cuffs inside your stockings.

~Parnelli