It can be done if the fly has enough weight to pull the line thru the float. I have a friend that fished with a 6 1/2 ft rod and caught plenty of fish with the float and fly (wrapped around the float). Its a little harder to cast but it can be done. You would be suprised how many big smallmouths he caught with it set at 6-8 ft instead of the 10-12 you usually hear about. He landed 20+ lbs stripers on the smame rig. 8 lb xl or floro.