[dkim73]

Hi Everyone,I am new to this board and new to fly fishing. I hope to be using this site more as I get into the art of fly fishing. I wanted to ask a question about St Croix rods and if the $100 premuim is worth it between the Avid vs Ultra. I have fished my whole life, but this is my first try into flyfishing. This would be my very first rod and I would like to get a nice rod the first time so I don't have to upgrade later. I am planning on buying a 4pc / 5wt / Avid or Ultra / 8.5 ft. The ultra is about $100 more and is it worth it? I read somewhere to concentrate money on the rod and fishing line as the most important things. If it is worth it then I would spend the extra money on a better rod and buy a lessor reel.Also: I went to Orvis recently, WOW! expensive!, Would the Avid be similiar to a TLS and the Ultra to the T3?Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks again.DavidAlso - I live in the DC metro area and would fish the local places here and in West VA and PA and maybe some backpacking trips out west for trout.

[tie one on]

Like most everything you get what you pay for.

I have fly fished all my life & when buying equipment I have
always made the choice to spend a little more to get what
I know will be worth the extra $$$. ( All of my rods (4) come
with the wonderful lifetime warranty, break one for some
reason get a new rod. ) You will also notice that the farther
up the $ scale you go they do get better, naturally.
Now don't get me wrong, if you don't want to spend, or
cannot, don't. In my book a general rule to follow is :
"The rod, reel & line make the unit." If you buy good items
in each of those catergories you will not go wrong.

Fly fishing the "Quiet Sport", enjoy,
Always in the water,

Tie One On

[Curtis]

No, it is not worth the extra $100. In fact, I would rather spend more to get the Avid then the Ultra. Much smoother rod. It will also be a very good rod for you to learn on as it has a little fuller flex and has more "feel" to it. The Avid rod has always been a winner and it has only gotten smoother with the new updates. More money does not always mean better rod and this is one of those situations.

As far as comparisons go, yes the Avid will stand next to an Orvis nicely. Technology these days is a funny thing. The manufacturers have gotten so good at making rods that to really feel the difference between most mid range and high dollar rods, you need to be an expert caster. The casual fisher will not notice or even need the different technology. I know that I appreciate my cortland grf-1000 rod as much as any of my higher end ones. It feels good and the line goes where I want it to and the best part is the fish don't care and eat my fly the same regardless of what rod I have.

The Avid has an unconditional lifetime guarantee and is a fine stick. St. Croix is a great company to work with for any customer service issues so have no concerns there.

The bottom line though is to go and cast and buy the one you like. It really does not matter if it is a fifty dollar rod. If it feels good in your hand, go and enjoy it.

[wtex50]

I agree with Curtis... I have both the Ultra and the Avid....The Avid is a mid-flex rod and thus more forgiving. The Ultra is a tip-flex and I love it on big waters with wind, such as the Snake. The Avid is more versatile in my opinion.

[dougm]

I would recommend you go with the Ultra. The Avid is a fine rod but the Ultra's performance is worth the extra dollars.

It's interesting to note that the St. Croix's Ultra and Elite are two of the lightest rods in the industry. Down the rod, I should think the faster Ultra will prove to be a rod you will never trade or sell.

Doug