I visited the St Croix rod factory in Park Falls WI today. I've been trying to find a workable substitute for their 2S56LF blank which changed so drastically between last year and now. The new (2006-2007) vintage of the 2S60MLF with the butt sawed off to make it 5' 6" will come really close. If you get a chance it is really worth visiting their retail store attached to the factory. There is a sample of every rod they make in that showroom so you can easily see how a particular blank will feel when all the guides are in place and you can compare similar actions in various types of graphite. It was an enlightening visit to say the least.

I usually make it once a year as it's close to where we vacation. It is like going to a candy store, and the people that work there are very accommodating. Every one should stop in at least once in their lifetime. Mark

Neat setup for sure! I was there in March a couple year ago and got the full behind the scenes tour as I was literally the ONLY person who visited all day. Some great deals in the "outlet store" as well, if I remember right.

Scott Kinney
The Longest Cast Fly Rods
[www.thelongestcast.com]

Isn't that place great?? I live about 45 minutes from St. Croix, and get there as much as I can. This coming summer, I will be running a construction project that literally goes right past their front door - I may be in Chapter 11 by September.... I was there last week and they had an entire bin of prototype fly rod blanks - from 4wt to 8wt, 2 piece and travel rods, various lengths. Well, I had to buy an 8'6" 5wt 4pc. Price? 20 bucks! I love that factory.... Maybe I'll go there today instead of ice fishing....

I will agree that the St. Croix Factory is one of the finest facilities I have ever toured. I have had the pleasure of touring that factory on many occasions. As it is commin knowledge the St. Croix company consumes approximatley 100,000 sets of Batson Enterprises inc / Forecast guides each year. I have had the pleasure of working with them for many years, the entire staff there ( Dave Schluter, Paul Schluter,Jeff Schluter, Bill Tunison, Jason, Rich ) just to name a few are all very professional and passionate about this industry. They IMHO make some of the finest rods on the market today, they own that part of the country. They were also the first major MFG to pick up our new SS316 guides to go on there inshore series of rods. As I stated this is common knowledge, you just need to look at there catalog to see the Batson name on there features. We do not have all the guides business from St. Croix yet, they also use a few others that have quality componentry.
Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that if you are in the Park Falls area you should stop by and see there facilty, at least there store.
They are a Class Company with the staff to back it up. It makes us here at Batson Enterprises very happy to be partnered with them.

Bill Batson
CEO
Batson Enterprises Inc
Rainshadow/Forecast Product lines
www.batsonenterprises.com
batson@batsonenterprises.com
877-875-2381