St Croix Avid Fly Rods

Quality Value Priced Fly Rods

St Croix Avid Fly Rods feature advanced hi-modulus SCIII graphite blanks to produce a rod that is light in the hand.  Yet has a smooth silky casting quality with superb power.  The Avid Series offers models in line weights 2 through 10.  Rod lengths range from 6 feet to 10 feet.  Rods come in 2 and 4 pieces. A wide range of 4 piece travel rods is available.  All rods are a moderate fast casting action.  This moderate fast action loads the rod in the upper third and is a good action for the beginner to experienced fly fisherman. 

The Avid Rod loads smoothly and progressively down the blank to produce a smooth silky easy casting stroke.

What more could you want from a value-priced rod from $180 through $270?    Well, here are more features. Avid Fly Rods Features

• Constructed of premium high-modulus SCIII graphite
• Each Avid flyrods has -- Smooth, silky, versatile moderate fast casting action
• Aluminum Oxide stripper guides.
• Hard chrome, single-foot fly guides
• Uplocking, anodized aluminum reel seat with a lightweight woven graphite insert on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 wt. models.
• Uplocking, anodized aluminum reel seat on 6/10', 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 wt. models. 
• Select-grade cork handles.
• Rugged rod case with handle and divided polypropylene liner.
• Limited Lifetime warranty backed by unmatched St. Croix service.
• Handcrafted in the U.S.A. at Park Falls, Wisconsin
• Available in six handle styles for a 6 foot 3wt to two handed Salmon and Saltwater Spey rods.

Image of the 6 handle styles available for Avid Fly Rods

1. Style 1 -- Reverse Wellington
2. Style 2 -- Reverse Wellington with cutout
3. Style 3 -- Full Wellington with about a 1 inch fighting butt
4. Style 4 -- Full Wellington  a 2 inch fighting butt
5. Style 5 -- Used with a two handed Spey salmon or salt water fishing rods.
6. Style 6 -- Used with a two handed Spey salmon or salt water fishing rods.

Serious Anglers who want a quality fly rod at reasonable prices will look at the Avid Series fly rod.  The Avid is St. Croix's middle level rod.  The Avid Series has been significantly expanded and improved for 2006.

Two Piece rods range from $180 for a 6 foot - 3wt to $400 for a 15 foot - 10/11 wt line, two handed Spey flyrod.  The travel rods range from $200 for a 6 foot 6 inch 4 wt to $270 for a 9 foot 10 line wt.  Most of the travel rods are in the $220 to $240 price range.

* Editor's Picks -- As with my other picks, I am going to stay with an 8 ft model in line weights 4 and 5 for the starting to intermediate angler that may find the 9 ft rod hard to handle.  In two piece rods, the A904.2 and A905.2 for lines 4 and 5 are also good but I think that the advanced fly fisherman will like the "A Series" 4 piece travel rods better.

With the moderate slow action, an advanced intermediate or an experienced angler my prefer one of the "A Series" travel rods for line weights 4, 5 or 6. 

If purchasing a 4 or 5 weight line, I suggest a weight forward line.  In the 6 weight line, a double taper is a good choice.  I have used 6 weight double taper lines for more than 30 years and find them easier to roll cast than the weight forward fly lines.

More Bang for your buck.  I believe St. Croix delivers high quality, high performance fly rods for your dollar.  Some Dozen years ago I purchased an entry level Premier 9 Foot rod for $30.  I used it until this year when I build a 9 Foot Legend Elite. Twelve years is a long time on a $30 fly rod that has taken a fall or two on the rocks and still catches fish. 

Would I recommend St Croix Fly Rods?  You Betcha.

The Six Avid Fly Rods our Editor recommends for Fly Fishing Colorado

History of St Croix Fly Rods

For those anglers preferring a 2 piece rod look in
All St Croix Avid Fly Rods

St Croix Legend Elite Fly Rods  -- Top of Line for the Serious Angler from $500 to $570

St Croix Legend Ultra Fly Rods  -- Quality in a Mid-Priced Rod from $300 to $390

Shop for All St Croix Fly Rods
Includes Fly Fishing Combos and the new Reign fly rod series