Hmmmm....My first "good" rods were St. Croix Pro Graphites, and they would be considered cheapies now. I still have one 7 1/2' Pro Graphite 4wt, and the next step up, a 7 1/2' Imperial 4wt (the old Imperial, not the new one). They are both fine rods, and I'd be happy to fish them for the rest of my life if needed. I have bought much more expensive rods since then, from St. Croix,
Sage, and Diamondback. The St. Croix rods were always dandy, and included pre-IPC Legends and IPC Legend Ultras, and IPC Avids. No regrets whatsoever. The Avid and higher are made in the USA, and I care about that. The resin used means very little to me, just the way the cast and feel