I am considering the purchase of a St. Croix Avid rod. It has a very tempting price because it is not the new 2006 style rod with the IPC technology. Since I have little experience with these rods, I am hoping that some of you will share your thoughts/opinions about the old and new model Avid rods. What are the differences between the old and new models? How do these rods cast? Is a pre-IPC rod and a low prtice worth considering?
Many thanks.
Coach
yes!
I have had 2 of them and cast 4 or 5 of them. They are a definite medium action, very light for their ‘size’, and well balanced. Three of us in a club have the 8ft 4wt, which we all praise. The 5wt 9ft seemed a little soft or wobbly, I think the extra length over-did it. However it would be fine for trout, medium distance or someone with a slower/softer stroke. My 9 ft 9wt did good service for a few years before I felt the need to trade it in for something stiffer and lighter (Redington CPS). For my taste, the medium stiffness modulus rods like the Avid are best suited to the medium length and weight (ie 4-5, possibly 6wt and 8-8.5ft). I will add for reference that I have belonged to a casting club for about 6 years and am considered to be a good caster. In my experience this leads to using stiffer rods (like better golfers, skiers, and tennis players who also have the timing and stroke to benefit from stiffer equipment).
Regarding the IPC, I also have a 8.5ft 5wt Legend Ultra (pre-IPC) and a 9ft 7wt LU (with IPC) and am happy with both, I would not spend double to get IPC, although it is a pinch smoother to cast.
Unless the Avid you are looking at is 9ft 7wt or more I would get it. If it is 6wt 9ft I would wiggle some others to compare. At 5wt I would probably get it, esp. if you feel it is a step up from your current collection. Sorry for the long answer, hoping this helps.
Greg
PM’d you
I have an (IPC) avid 3wt, 7wt 9.5’, and 9wt 9’ and love them. For the $$$ I think they have a good action and another bonus is the lifetime warranty. I also recently bought a 9’ 6wt pre-IPC blank that I am building now. It seems to me that the action is a slight bit slower than the IPC rods but I haven’t had a chance to cast it yet.
I just got done wiggling the ipc 3wt, ipc 9wt, and pre-ipc 6wt and they seem pretty similar.
I have a 8.5 ft 4 wt that is one of my favorite rods. It is medium action (maybe medium fast) which I personlly prefer. I also have a 7’ 3 wt that is okay, but I like it a little less largely because I am not a great fan of short rods. Finally, I have a 9’ 5 wt that was a present. I have to agree with Greg in that it has a bit more wobble than I prefer. It is not so much that I do not fish it regularly, but everytime I take it out I am a little disappointed with the action. That said I still think that their 8.5 ft 4 wt is one of the best dry fly rods I have ever used.
David
I have a couple of the older pro graphite models and I like them very much. I wouldn’t be afraid to buy an Avid.
I have the pre IPC Avid 8wt 9.5ft. I’ve used it for Steelhead and Salmon ((Chinook and Coho)for the last four or five years and I like it very much. I’ll just tell you to give it a casting try out and if you like the feel of it and the price is in your ballpark…that’s all that really matters. I get a lot of nice fish landed with this rod and that’s what I’m looking for.
I bought one of the pre-IPC Avids last spring on close-out. I have a 4-piece 6wt. It was a great rod for the price. I’m the limiting factor on how far I cast it. I guess it depends on what you like. I’d put the action somewhere between medium and fast. You also have to factor the warranty into the equation.
I’m not sure I could get past the paint job on the new Avids.
I have a 9’ 4pc 7wt pre-IPC Avid that sees a good deal of action. I use it for steelhead and lake run browns, bonefish, and smallmouth. It is one of two nicer rods I own, and it wasn’t very expensive at all. I will continue to use St. Croix Avids (IPC or pre-IPC) as they are sturdy, quality rods that leave plenty of moolah for tying materials, leaders, and other accessories. I’ve been flirting with building a 3wt on an IPC avid blank and just have to settle on where to get the parts now.
Marty
:shock: I built one of those last year, it’s my FAVORITE rod. I love it!