I used to be a big St.Croix fan until I sent in a broken $400.00 dollar flyrod and they wanted to replace it with a $200.00 model. Their service rep tried to tell me that the $200 model was a comparable rod. I told the guy he was full of you know what. Cheap hardware on the cheaper model ,slower blank ,cheap grade of cork etc. I told the guy I would get all my receipts for 20 rods together and they can give me my money back or you can sell me a more expensive rod and I will pay the difference between the 2 retail prices and you pay the shipping for my inconvenience .I ended up paying the difference and have not bought any more of their products since.