Kudos for St. Croix

[1wt]

I have been a fan of their rods for some time now. I finally ordered a 804.4 Elite which is one of the best casting rods I have ever held. I had cast one several times before, tying to decide whether or not to buy. It is an absolute cannon, as all of the Elite series rods I've thrown are.

It exploded as I was fighting a rather large trout in fast moving water. It broke and collapsed at the female ferrule of the second section.

Just as described, the process worked flawlessly and quickly. They repaired my rod, rather than replace it (actually they replaced the broken section, but the rod is still perfectly balanced and there is no noticeable change in the action). I was a little concerned but on an every outing since, it has performed just as it did when new, and I have intentionally put pressure on it to test the repaired area. No problems at all, and it still is the finest casting rod I'v ever owned (blows all the $600 and higher Sage and Orvis rods I have out of the water).

I've had terrible problems with Sage (suffice to say I will never own another Sage rod), and long-lasting, pleasant contentment with Orvis. I own 3 St. Croix rods now, and the Elite series truly is the best casting rod I've ever held. The 2wt Avid is also a rod I will vouch for as surprisingly great, especially at the price.

I am delighted to say that I can finally vouch for their customer service as well. St. Croix is a great company turning out one of the best products available.

[LigonierA1]

Concur, great stuff.

Those Elites are some fine casting cannons.

[SW Ladyfish]

Hubby and I have 4 Elites, 2 ea 6 wts. (1 for each of us), a 9 wt. for me and a 10 wt. for him.

Hubby had always been a Sage guy. To a certain extent he still is. But; he purchased the 10 wt. the first year they came out after an exhaustive search for the "perfect" rod for striped bass and albies. He cast them all...and the Elite was his choice. Over time we have added to the arsenal.

While Christmas shopping the other day, I noticed the Elites are on sale at Cabela's. Pretty good prices for an outstanding rod.

[Radioflyer]

I've also had great experiences with St. Croix (I own 16 St Croix's - 8 flyrods, 8 casting rods). I too love my one Elite (10'5wt). I have broken two in the last five years: one Imperial and one Avid, both of which they repaired and had back to me within two weeks. I have nothing to say but GREAT for service at St.Croix and dreaming of owning another Elite in a 7wt. Cabelas has the 907-4 on sale but I can't figure out how to sneak that one past the wife.

That being said, I'm also a Sage fan as well. My 7wt SLT is the sweetest rod I've ever cast and my 5wt VPS is fab as well.

Decisions...decisions (I mean...money money)

rf

[LadyFisher]

St. Croix INCLUDES a little container of parafin in the rod case. Great idea! Use it.

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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL

Let me see if I understand this. St Croix is being praised for building rods that break but repairing them quickly. Joke! Joke! Don't yell at me.

[SW Ladyfish]

The only St Croix that has been broken in my family was done by a casting student that whammed it into the ground on a forward cast. (Don't ask and I no longer hand-off my favorite rod to a student! I wrote St. Croix a letter explaining what happend and enclosed the rod. 2 weeks later I had a new rod. I was impressed and very appreciative.

I've never broken one and fish one or another all the freaking time. great rods hand made in wisconsin. as a native badger I love that.

mgj