I do quite a bit of flyfishing from my canoe on local rivers. I usually drift slowly down the center of the river and alternate casts towards both banks. Sometimes I will land on a sandbar and do a little wet wading and stretch the legs. At the beginning of the season, I usually use an 8.5 or 9' 5 or 6 weight as I am using smaller flies....late in the season, I move up to an 8 weight as I am casting much larger flies. I am generally targeting smallmouth, but also catch a lot of big rock bass, the occasional largemouth, and when I break out the subsurface stuff, pick up some carp and channel catfish. A few years ago I was at Cabelas and stopped in their "bargain Cave" and found a 10', 8wt, Spey rod on clearance. It was light enough that I thought I could handle it one handed......It has worked out really well, especially when I am on big water up North throwing big flies for Northerns. The added length really helps, especially as the day wears on and my shoulder starts to get tired....I find I am less likely to drag the fly behind me on my backcast while seated in my canoe. I haven't tried standing in the canoe to cast yet.....If and when I get to the point where I want to stand, I would either try to fabricate or just break down and buy a set of outriggers from somewhere like Spring Creek Manufacturing. They are pricey, but I have been very impressed with their quality and customer service over the years with other items....
Mike