IMO
Experience is that 10 feet is not a great distance. It's less than twice the average human body height (maybe average?).
It is important for regular casting on very small to small streams. And for small to medium, 30 feet is a regular.
But, the point is that 30 feet isn't a long distance for some of the medium to larger flow trout waters. Penns, Delaware, perhaps the lower Bald Eagle as an example.
Some of the limestoners are much more productive when using long casts.
Also find that 60- to 70-feet is common when using dragon fly patterns, etc., on the Lower Juniata River and Susquehanna for smallmouth. Most are 40- to 60-foot.
Dragon fly time and it's usually low flow and clear water and too easy to scare them out. They can feel a fisherman's wading and sometimes well before wading or floating into a position for a 30-foot cast.
But the same is for the Swatara Creek, when water is low and clear having to shoot and drop a cicada pattern within a couple of feet from the far bank and still have enough slack in line and leader to prevent a quick drag.
Depends on the water qualities at the time of the casting.
(Double haul is considered common cast.)
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