Avid 9' 5/6 2 piece

[Mike]

The St. Croix Avid was my first fly rod. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I don't like my Avid, but I think that as I've become a better fisherman and used different equipment, I've grown to dislike the action on it. St. Croix labels the Avid as a moderate action rod. Personally I find the action to be quite fast. The 9' 5/6 model, while functional, for lack of a better way to put it, is definitely "too much rod" on a small or medium sized stream. On the other hand, you can chuck some serious line with the Avid! That's why I bought it initially. It's easy to cast. It's also reasonably priced. When my Avid broke after being stepped on, St. Croix promptly replaced the broken section for only $10. St. Croix's website has more info:

http://www.stcroixrods.com/stcroix/products/rods/avid.html

In summary, I don't really like the action on the Avid rods and wouldn't own another one. However, it's a reasonably priced, well constructed rod with a good warranty. If you like a faster action rod, you may well like it.

[shazerblaze]

I have noticed how fast the Avids can be. When I was comparing the Legend Ultra 3 wt and the Avid 3 wt, I was amazed at how moderate the Legend Ultra was compared to the Avid. The Avid was fast, for sure. I laughed, because the Legend Ultra is considered by St Croix fast and the Avid moderate. Kind of confusing and funny. Oh well.

[Larry S.]

In 1999 my grandaughter an I each built Avid 5wt rods. Her's was an 8'6" and mine being a 9'. On a fishing trip up north of the border she got a horrific tangle and came to ol' grandpa to fix the mess. She took my rod and went on fishing(smart!). After I put on new tippet and fly I started fishing it and found I liked the shorter rod better than mine. It felt lighter than the 6 inches it was and I thought performed better( I should say at this point that when we splined our rods I done mine opposite hers).

I have heard since by others that the 8'6" is the better rod. I mostly use mine for a spare now.

[Chase]

My first and only rod is the avid, and so far I enjoy it on the Green and smaller streams its alittle to much, I think I am going to try to make a 8'6 rod, any suggestions?