This will be my first fly rod build. I have a 7'6" St.Croix SC2 Blank which I received as a replacement from a shop for a defective rod they had sold me. To replace the rod was to long of a wait, to make a long story short I didn't want a new rod from that rod company. So I opted to take a blank and build a rod. This St.Croix SC2 Blank which I thought was a first quality blank, that's what I was supposed to receive. I think now what they gave me was a blemish second. About 51.5"-52" from the tip is a spot were you can see and feel spiral ridges. I would like to build a nice rod with good quality parts(handle,guides, reelseat). I would like to know if this defect is going to be a problem in the long run, should I even bother with spending the money for good quality parts for this blank. I do have a picture of the defect/blemish.

I cannot say if it is second or not. Did it come with a ST. Croix sticker on the blank? Did it also include the clear sticker shipped with every St. Croix blank?

The ridges you feel are where the blank was not sanded well. Those ridges are the result of the manufacturing process which are sometimes left intact, and other times sanded depending upon the look the manufacturer wishes to achieve. They do not represent any sort of structural defect and are purely cosmetic.

If you still feel you did not get what you bargained for, I would return it for a replacement. The dealer may do it for you or they may not. I am certain that St. Croix will and you will find them to be a very friendly and helpful company to do business with.

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I think that you shorted yourself on the trade. You paid about $150.00 for a complete rod, depending on the wt., and only got a $55.00 blank. The dealer is probably going to pay about $20.00 to get the rod fixed and sell it new or used depending on how much the rod was defective.

I would see if the dealer would through in some components to help make the deal seem worth it. Do remember that you were the one who did not want to wait for the repaired rod so you will probably not get $ for $