I am getting back to rod building after a long absence. I have several St Croix fly rods and am very happy with them, I am confused about the difference between SCIII and SCIV/SCII and SCIV. In the blank catalogue it does not offer SCIV blanks only SCIV/SCII and then it shows the comparable factory rod as being in the Imperial series while the comparable rod using a SCIII blank is in the Avid series. What exactly is SCIV/SCII ? Is it higher modulus (quality) than the SC III, if so why is it used in the Imperial seres and sold for a lesser amount. My goal is a 4 wt fast action rod that I can use as a backup to my 5 wt Legend Elite, I could use the same reel and line in an emergency(overline it) and it acts like a moderate action which I am comfortable with. Any help out there?

Jim,
Simply put the St. Croix rods generally run from SCII on up to SCVI.

In general, as you go up in price the stiffness and strength of the blank goes up, and the wall thickness tends to go down.

For general purpose fishing with a rod with a more moderate action, the SCII is a great way to go. For a lighter and stiffer rod, go to a higher SC number.

Good luck

If you plan to make casts of 50' or less I would think an SCII blank would serve your needs nicely. I have a 9wt. rod built on an SCV blank and it's a cannon, ideal for long casts and windy conditions on open waters, but not particularly suited for streams and small rivers.

I built an SCIV-SCII, 9ft., 6 WT. and I love it for my needs. It will cast dry flies nicely, I have no need to cast more than 50 or 60 ft., plus it's stiff enough to fish nymphs. I would call it moderate-fast, but of course, we all interpret the feel of a rod a bit differently. I was looking for a rod that would fish dries and nymphs equally well and I believe that I have. My opinion.

To the question: " What exactly is SCIV/SCII ? Is it higher modulus (quality) than the SC III, if so why is it used in the Imperial seres and sold for a lesser amount. "
More and more blanks are being designed and built as blends of different modulus materials to suit function in sections of the blank and overall performance. I think lower modulus flags or sections of materials are often added to butt sections for added strength. Lower modulus materials (less stiff) are also lower in price.

Exactly Ross. It is a blend of the two different modulus prepegs. That way St Croix can offer a blank with the best modulus in the area of the blank that it is best suited to do the job and offer the best performance. Not sure why less expensive unless they use more SCll in the blank than the SCIV which would make sense.


Tom