St. Croix...bargain or pure crap?

Was in a fly shop today buying flies for tomorrow's outing to the Crooked and was looking at their rods. They had a 9'8" rod (only) for like $85-$90. I want something for Steelhead. What can you tell me about this brand? Any good? Equal to using a piece of bamboo??

Thanks!

[Grits]

Don't know much about that brand but I am curious on a couple of things. What weight is the rod? What material is the rod made out of? Is this a special or a regular price?

[ 03-30-2001: Message edited by: Grits ]

Not sure what it was made of. Just looked at it for 2 seconds and took off (was during lunch). It was an 8 weight though...and that appeared to be the regular price.

[roblosey]

I assume from your other posts that you are looking for a steelhead rod? You will need at least a 7 weight if you ask me. I do fish a St. Croix flyrod but it is a five-weigth I use for trout. I am very happy with it and I think they are about the best casting thing you can buy for the price. The fish don't care how expensive your flyrod is and unless your trying to do something extrodinary, you don't need an expensive one.
I flyfished for several years with a $45 combo that frankly was a crappy rod. But, I did learn to fish with it and really didn't know the difference between it and a better rod until I tried one. So, to make a long story short, I recommend a St. Croix if you are starting out and/or are not wealthy.

[crawdad]

Nothin wrong with St. Croix. I love mine. There are however, different grades. Like other brands the more expensive models tend to be faster. Whether you want a super fast rod or a slower action is a matter of preference, but don't just assume that more expensive is always better.

[DollarBill]

I used a St. Croix blank for a rod I built a couple of years ago.It was a four piece rod for six weight 9'. Its been a good rod but it works best with a 7 line. If I remember correctly it only cost $45 for the blank. A good deal I think

[SSPey]

st croix makes some of the best value beginner rods out there, and also some of the worst. cast it to see if you like it - there is no other way

[ZaQ]

Crusty would know more about this than me, but in Fly Rod and reel magazine (I think that was the mag), they compared tons of multi piece rods and st croix was top dog. Beat out Loomis, Sage and all the top brands. I don't think you will go wrong with it. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[crawdad]

Check out the thread on steelhead rods at http://flyshop.com/functions/boards/...rthwest&gif=rb

[willierower]

I have a St Croix Imperial series that is a 9' 8-9 wt. Its a good rod. I use it for chucking deepwater express heads for chinook. Good rod for the money.
Stay away from the cheaper St. Croix's. They just dont feel right. My rod cost about $125.00. For that price you cant go wrong.
Check out Redington(sp) and Fly Logic, Both Companies make decent affordable rods.

[Crusty]

The test ZaQ was referring to was in the June 2000 issue of "Fly Fish America". It was a blind test of 58 different 5wt travel (4 piece or more) rods priced from $50 to $795. The St. Croix Legend Ultra/UFT905 (price $300) came out as the only rod scoring in the top 15 in all of the 21 categories. It beat Sage, Winston, G. Loomis, etc. You may be able to find the chart at www.flyfishamerica.com.

As you are probably aware there is a certain "snob factor" prevalent amoung some fly fishermen. Price and label mean more to them than function. The St. Croix rods at any level are as good or better than their counterparts priced at the same level and often better than those priced much higher, as the test showed.

Crusty