The Imperial series is for those who want elite St. Croix performance at prices even a frugal trout bum can afford. Rod builders at St. Croix designed each of these fly rods for a feather-light feel. They blend high-modulus, high-strain SCIV graphite with premium-quality SCII graphite to create line-zipping fast actions. Other notable features include aluminum oxide stripper guides with black frames, hard chrome snake guides, handsome rosewood insert on reel seat (4-6 wt. models), premium-grade cork handle and alignment dots for easy assembly. Includes rod case with handle and divider. Manufacturer's lifetime warranty.
Images depict the "style" of the rod handle and may not fully represent the actual length.
St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Item:IK-320891
$160.00 – $200.00
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The Imperial series is for those who want elite St. Croix performance at prices even a frugal trout bum can afford. Rod builders at St. Croix designed each of these fly rods for a feather-light feel. They blend high-modulus, high-strain SCIV graphite with premium-quality SCII graphite to create line-zipping fast actions. Other notable features include aluminum oxide stripper guides with black frames, hard chrome snake guides, handsome rosewood insert on reel seat (4-6 wt. models), premium-grade cork handle and alignment dots for easy assembly. Includes rod case with handle and divider. Manufacturer's lifetime warranty. Images depict the "style" of the rod handle and may not fully represent the actual length.
Average Customer Rating:
4.8 out of 5
11 of 11 (100%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Very nice upgrade!,August 12, 2009
By flyfishjunkiefrom Southern, MN
"I bought the 4 piece 9' 5 weight, and I must say, its a huge upgrade from my first rod (Cabela's). The action is much faster and it has good bend. I am able to cast much further now and the fit and finish is very nice! I personally really like the burgandy finish, and I think it looks really nice out in the sun. The rod is very light too and I added a ross flystart reel and it seems to be a well balanced combo. Oh and the rod case that comes with it is very nice to have too!"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 2 for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Comment on St. Croix Imperial Fly Rod,August 7, 2009
By Anthony777
"In July 09 I purchased a 9-ft 5-wt St. Croix Imperial Fly Rod. I've used this rod during an extended fishing trip to the eastern Sierra Nevada Range, and subsequently on a nearly weekly basis while pursuing trout in a southern California high-elevation lake close to my home.
I found the rod to be verstile, as evident by its ability to protect light tippets (5x and 6x) while fighting relatively large trout (3-pound class) and punch large, weighted nymphs into the wind. In my view, the rod possesses power to pressure large trout from the depths and heavy current, which is no doubt due to the rod's fast action. The rod is responsive to the hand and arm movements that are needed to produce certain technical cast types (e.g., S-cast, left-reach cast, etc.) and pin-point casting.
I realize the foregoing review may sound a bit over the top, but I assure you I have no affiliation with St. Croix. I'm just a humble family guy who loves to fish for trout, particularly trophy trout. This is a great rod and I've tried many rods in my 30-plus years of flyfishing for resident trout and steelhead. The only downside to the rod is the color. Indoors, the color is quite attractive, but outdoors in bright light the rod color is excessively bright (red) and quite unappealing, at least to me.
Happy fishing."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 3 for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Good rod, good price,August 3, 2009
By dawgvetfrom north Georgia
"I would have given this rod 4.5 stars if possible. Good rod, especially for the price. Fit, finish well done. Fairly fast action with soft tip that loads easily; may be a bit too soft tip for some tastes but fishes well at most fishing distances. Bought for backup rod but will likely see alot of time as number one rod. Highly recommended."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 4 for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Top shelf!,August 3, 2009
By ReddingBillfrom Redding, CA
"St Croix..always fine materials and workmanship. Delicate feel..and perfect for the areas I flyfish. I even sat one morning and looked at it before I waded out. Top shelf rod at a very! reasonable price. It's the first one I grab now, and the one I won't let but a select few use."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 5 for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Always Top Quality,July 7, 2009
By ShowMeShooter
"I now have three St. Croix fly rods. Dollar for dollar, they're worth it."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 6 for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
EXCELLENT !!,May 16, 2009
By YNPBearfrom Winona MN in the Driftless Area.
"I "needed" a new 4p 4wt and I was looking for a "fast" rod. I decided on the St. Croix Imperial after reading numerous reviews and I couldn't be more pleased.
Normally a Sage or Winston guy, I was VERY impressed with the looks of this rod. Very nice dark burgundy, nicely wrapped and nice reel seat. Some St. Croix's seemed a bit "big in the butt" to me...but this one is very nice.
I fished the rod for about 6 hours today, using a DT 4 and the SA GPX a "4.5" according to SA. It cast both lines equally well. It was very windy most of the day and the WF GPX did the best in the wind.
The rod is considered a "fast" rod and I would agree. But what I was very pleased about was how good the rod felt with a fish on. The rod has good "bend"...and is definitely not a pool cue! It felt like a 4wt should with a 12" brown on!
The Imperial 4p 4wt is a no compromises rod in my opinion. It casts fantastic, looks fantastic and feels fantastic. I see no reason to pay nearly twice as much for other "value" rods...and for that matter for any "fast" rod.
The rod is currently made in Wisconsin, but will eventually be made in Mexico so if your set on US made (as I was) you should pick one up soon.
Bottom line: As good as any other rod I own. And good looking too!"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 7 for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
rod,May 11, 2009
By Bigjoefrom lyme ,Conn
"this is one of the best rods i have ever fished , i have a ultra elite . and this rod can hang ,best rod for the price ."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 8 for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
WOW - WHAT A ROD !!!,May 9, 2009
By biloutbackfrom NEW JESEY -------CENTRAL
"I WAS LOOKING AT THE AVID - BUT DECIDED AGAINST IT - WHY? BEING SOMEWHAT A TRADITIONALIST I LIKED THE FACR THAT THIS ROD HAS SNAKE GUIDES WHERE AS THE AVID USES SINGLE FOOT...THIS IMPERIAL AN 8' FOR A 4 WT LINE HAS BEEN GREAT A LITTLE FASTER IN ACTION THAN USED TO BUT IT HANDLES EVERYTHING - DRIES, NYMPHS, HEAVY STREAMERS AND BUGGERS... IT ROLL CAST GREAT..,.AND IS CRISP ENOUGH TO PICK UP THE WHOLE LINE FOR ANOTHER P RESENTATION WITH OUT FOLDING....AND ITS A PRICE POINT PRODUCT...U WON'T FIND A BETTER ANY WHERE. HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL NICE TROUT ON IT ALREADY"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 9 for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
st croix imperial fly rod,April 21, 2009
By Fennyfrom Greene co. PA
"for the price this rod is an outstanding value st croix builds a great fly rod my first time out with this rod i caught several trout including a 4lb. brookie thanks st croix!"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 10 for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Redesigned St Croix Imperial, NICELY DONE!,February 17, 2009
By Zugbugzfrom Avondale, AZ
"I recently purchased one of these newly redesigned Imperial fly rods, model I865.4, which is of course an 8'6" five weight, 4 piece rod. I was unable to find one to cast before purchasing, but luckily, was able to get enough info to make the decision to go for it. I have to say, it's a very nice rod, both in looks and castability. In my opinion, it casts as good or better than any fly rod St Croix has built over the years and is clearly at least as good as Sage's "value" rods, which all cost more than this sweet new Imperial. This rod has a great medium fast to fast action, and is super light, not just on the scale but more importantly, in the hand, so it is a real pleasure to spend a day fishing with. The materials are excellent. One tiny complaint - the reel seat hardware, though sturdy and quite nice looking, is a tough fit for the reel feet on some manufacturers' reels. For instance, should you decide to go for the Okuma Magnitude MD, which I did; it's scary trying to get the fat reel seat of that reel to fit, and you really have to crank it down to hold the reel securely. In fairness, most reels will be no problem, but I feel like St Croix could have used hardware with a larger opening for the reel foot. Minor issue, though! The quality of the package is outstanding. You get the same style of rod case, with internal dividers, as with St Croix's more expensive rods, along with the customary rod wax, and you get a limited lifetime warranty. Overall, this is a extremely nice rod, especially for the money. You aren't going to find too many rods out there that provide better value! I highly recommend it and wouldn't hesitate to purchase another."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 11 for St. Croix Imperial™ Fly Rods
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
st. croix imperial fly rods,November 7, 2008
By brewgoorufrom Michigan
"I own 5 fly rods but the imperial 7 wt. is my favorite for all around fishing. I use 9wt floating wt. forward line. Use this rod for pike bass steelhead salmon and even bluegills on the beds. I would highly recomend this rod to any avid fisherman."
