St Croix Legend Elite Saltwater Fly Rod Review

#11  St. Croix Legend Elite SW  ix pes #eight  $ 490.00

George's Notes:

The saltwater version of the Fable Aristocracy is a real deal for the performance it provides.  I felt it was but a shade behind the Orvis Recon for the championship of all-time mid-priced 8-weight.

This is some other fast action rod that has simply the right corporeality of tip flex, with lots of power in the butt and mid sections.  It put in a very practiced all around operation, and the just downside is its weight.  It was heavier than all the all-time rods in both overall and swing weight.  But this weight translates to good usable power, especially at the longer ranges. These have proven to exist very tough rods besides, with their own FRS nano-resin system.

The craftsmanship is some of the best nosotros've seen.  This is a bang-up looking rod, the blank finished in a deep midnight bluish with matching bluish wraps.  The handle is a full wells pattern with excellent quality cork.  They use a gold anodized double uplocking seat with a nylon spacer at the elevation of each ring to help requite a positive lock up.  A curt fighting butt with a condom cap is used.  Guides are two SiC stripping guides, with the rest large diameter hard chrome snake guides and an oversize tip top.  This is another not bad rod made here in the Usa at Park Falls, Wisconsin.

Functioning at 35 feet:  19 points out of twenty

Prissy feel and good accuracy merely I could definitely feel the heavier swing weight.

Operation at 60 feet:  19.two points out of 20

Tracks well and I'k throwing nicely controlled loops. The Meridian and NRX were noticeably better.

Operation at 80 anxiety:  19.5 points out of twenty

A petty more effort needed, but I was getting impressive tight loops and good accurateness.  Better than the Recon and BVK at long range.

Performance at 100 feet:  xix points out of 20

This rod has lots of power on tap just I'm working a lot harder than with the NRX or Asquith.

16. (tie)  St. Croix Legend Elite Saltwater 9'#8 4pc  $490

James' Notes:

The St. Croix Legend Elite Saltwater rod has always been a solid performer.  In our final eight-weight Shootout I had the St. Croix Fable Elite ESW tied for tertiary place.  It is even so the same fantastic rod, however in the past few years other manufacturers have been pushing the limits in terms of lighter rods that are equally powerful and durable.  It may finally exist time for St. Croix to change things up a bit and come out with a new, lighter saltwater rod.

Bated from having a heavier swing weight, the Fable Aristocracy is a very polish casting rod.  It is too a very accurate rod with impeccable line tracking.  For a United states of america fabricated rod under $490 there is not much to complain well-nigh hither.

ane^st impressions:One of my favorite actions.  Slap-up all-around rod for the coin.  Could be lighter. Grip is on the thicker side.

Performance at 35 feet: 19 points out of xx

Very nice, smooth feel, also very accurate.  Not as low-cal or as much feel every bit the Asquith, Superlative, 3F, or Zephrus, withal.  The St. Croix Fable Elite ESW is a great choice if your upkeep is $500 or less and you lot want a rod made in the USA.

Functioning at 60 feet: 19 points out of 20

This rod tracks exceptionally well!  It feels very smoothen, merely heavier in hand than the top rods. Lots of usable power once yous go information technology going…

Operation at 80 feet: 18 points out of twenty

I detect the heavier weight now, and it lacks the pep of the Asquith, NRX, Exocett, 10, and Loop Cross SW.

Performance at 100 feet: 18 points out of twenty

It was difficult to bandage the total 100 feet.  Other rods like the Asquith and Exocett had more explosive power at extreme long range.

#12.  St. Croix Fable Aristocracy Saltwater    $490.00

Logan's Notes:

The St. Croix Fable Elite is a tried and true winner.  It is all the same a great rod after all these years on the market.   The action seemed nearly perfect, and information technology possessed a lot of qualities I await for in a rod.  Information technology'due south not the lightest rod in paw, simply information technology did accept a nice soft tip making information technology a great rod for closer distances.  I actually liked the overall look of the Legend Aristocracy.

Functioning at 35 feet: xix.5 out of xx

The Legend Elite was a great rod in close and had the perfect amount of feel, combined with splendid accuracy. I really enjoyed casting this rod at 35 anxiety.

Performance at 60 feet: nineteen out of 20

At 60 feet the Legend Elite was still a great casting rod. When my timing was practiced, I was able to accurately hit the plate near every fourth dimension.

Performance at 80 anxiety: 18 out of 20

Longer shots over 60 anxiety were tougher for the Legend Aristocracy.  I could feel many of my casts dying at longer range.  About 50% of my casts were on the money.

nineteen. (tie) St. Croix Legend Aristocracy SW  55.five/60  $490.00

When The Legend Elite Saltwater came out it was a bully rod.  Information technology still is, merely information technology's getting a piddling long in the tooth and I feel like it'southward gear up for an update.  With all the advancements manufacturers take fabricated with higher modulus graphite, resin systems, and components, this rod risks existence left behind.

Performance at 35 anxiety:  xviii.5

The LE SW is a good caster at close range.  It's a little strong for my taste and it felt actually heavy to me, which is why I gave it a lower score here.  Despite being aggressive and clunky, it was fairly accurate at the short-range target.

Operation at 60 anxiety:  19

I liked the LE SW the most at this range.  It gave me skillful feedback and was very authentic.  I still don't similar the way it feels in manus with all that swing weight, and this fabricated information technology hard for me to savor my experience with the rod.

Functioning at 80 anxiety:  18

Performance at our eighty ft. target was non too bad.  I was able to evangelize my fly consistently with a practiced level of accuracy.  Just to practice this, I had to work harder than with other rods.  The condolement and enjoyment of using this rod but doesn't compare with the meliorate rods in our Shootout.

Functioning at 100 feet:

I was able to hit 100 ft. with the LE SW but that'south about it.

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Source: https://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-review/2018-8-weight-shootout-g-loomis-asquith-best-fly-rod-comparison/st-croix-legend-elite/

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