St Croix Imperial Fly Rod Review

Are you looking for a new fishing rod? If so, then you should consider the St Croix Imperial Fly Rod. This rod has been designed specifically for trout and tuna fishing.

There’s a reason St Croix is one of the best names in the world of American fishing rods and has been for over four decades. They’re constantly improving in terms of the features their rods offer, and the technology used.

For the Imperial line, St Croix wanted to create a rod that would give anglers the ability to fish anywhere, anytime. Their goal was to design a rod with technology that would allow anglers to cast farther distances, and catch bigger fish.

But with the wide range of fly rods on the market, how does the Imperial series stack up? The following article will cover every aspect of the St Croix Imperial Fly Rod, to help you decide whether it’s the right fishing rod for you.

Summary Table

St Croix Imperial Fly Rod

Right off the bat, we should note that this fishing rod is certainly more geared towards experienced anglers, rather than novices.

Because of the features on offer, it’s assumed that any angler using this rod would have amassed an advanced skill set when it comes to fishing for trout and tuna.

It should also be noted that there are over 30 different models within the Imperial line. Some are catered towards freshwater conditions, others are catered towards saltwater, and some are intended for Spey casting.

Within this review, we’ll be determining whether the Imperial line itself is worth looking into, but in terms of the specific model you’ll want to be choosing, it just depends on the type of fishing you intend to do.

All of the fishing rods in the Imperial line are tip-flex rods, so if that’s not the kind of rod you’re in the market for you’ll want to start looking elsewhere.

The Imperial Series

In the Imperial line, the rods are split into three different categories, each of which has several models.

These categories include the Imperial USA Fly Switch rods (which include four different models) and the Imperial Salt rods (which include six different models), which are tailored to spey or saltwater fishing respectively, as well as the Imperial USA Fly Rods.

While all of these categories feature very similar rods (and are all of the same quality), our focus in this review will be on the Imperial USA Fly Rods.

Imperial Fly Rod: Key Features

Every fishing rod in this category offers the same features. Each is made from a combination of high-modulus SCIV and SCII carbon, and the stripping guides (Kigan Master Hand 3D) boast aluminum-oxide rings and black frames.

The snake guides (Snake Guide) are coated with PVD. They all feature a handle made from cork, an aluminum reel seat, a slow cure finish of Flex-Coat, and the ferrules on each rod are notably thin.

Let’s look at these features in a little more detail.

The SCIV & SCII Carbon Blend

With materials like these, the rods in the Imperial line are both flexible (thanks to the SCIV) and sturdy (thanks to the SCII)- about as much as they could be.

As well as this, they’re also lightweight, even though the longest Imperial rods are as much as 10 feet in length. These long rods weigh just 5 ounces, and the shorter rods weigh even less.

Sea Guide Snake Guides

The snake guides are protected by physical vapor deposition (PVD), and this also makes for even force distribution. The PVD also acts as a preventative measure against corrosion, adding to the lifespan of the rod.

Stripper Guides

The Kigan Master 3D stripper guides help to stop the fly line from tangling. These stripper guides are only available in the Imperial line of rods, and the Mojo line.

The Cork Handle

A handle made from cork is about as comfortable as you’re going to get, and you can choose either a one-hand handle or a two-hand handle.

There are also four lengths to choose from. The variety of options available in handy because it means that regardless of the length of your rod, there’ll be a handle to go with it.

Reel Seat

While every fishing rod in the Imperial line has an aluminum uplocking reel seat, only some of them also feature a wood insert. It’s worth noting that the rods in this line don’t come with built-in reels, so you’ll need to buy this yourself.

Hook Keeper

The Kigan hook keeper is considered some of the most useful and most durable hook keepers in the world of fishing. They’re probably the best you’re going to get when it comes to convenience.

Case

Every rod in the Imperial line also comes with a case that’s both durable and easy to carry thanks to its handle. This case will come in handy when you’re taking apart your rod at the end of a session.

Warranty: 15 Years

Regardless of the rod, the Imperial line promises a cover of 15 years, which takes into account any potential defect. You’ll need to remember to register for the warranty, though, otherwise you won’t be covered.

Which Length Of Rod Is Right For Me?

There are several different lengths available in the Imperial line, and the length you should be going for depends on the size of fish you’re most eager to catch. Even the shortest rods offer an impressive amount of power.

If you’re struggling to decide which length of the rod is right for you, you’ll need to think about what kind of fishing you’re going to be doing, as well as your skill level; the longer the rod, the more skill will be required.

The USA Fly fishing rods come in sizes of six to 10 feet, but the Salt rods and the Switch rods both come in sizes of between nine to 11 feet. For catching small fish (for example, no fish that are bigger than a trout), you’ll probably want a six feet rod.

On the other hand, if you’re a more skilled angler and you want to be able to cast at any distance, then you should be going for either an eight-feet or a nine-feet rod, particularly one that’s compatible with either five or six line weights.

The right rod for you also depends on how many pieces you want your rod to be when it’s broken down. If you’d rather your rod come in just a couple of pieces then your rod will be quicker to dismantle and put together, but even the rods that come in as many as four pieces can be taken apart and put back together quickly and easily.

The Benefits And Drawbacks Of The Imperial Line

When deciding which fishing rod is right for you, it’s important to be aware of all the benefits and drawbacks of the rods you’re considering.

With that in mind, let’s break down some of the main advantages of having an Imperial fishing rod, before also looking at some of the potential disadvantages.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are answers to some of the most commonly raised queries concerning this line of fishing rods.

Will There Be New Models Added To The Imperial Line?

Each year there have been new models added to the Imperial line, offering more and more variety to anglers. It should be noted, though, that at the time of writing there is no word on when the next new batch of models will be released.

The majority of models tend to remain in production for around a decade.

Are Imperial Fishing Rods Made By Hand?

Every line of the Imperial line is indeed made by hand at the St Croix factory, which is located in Park Falls, Wisconsin. This means that it might take as long as three weeks for your model to be delivered if it’s out of stock when you place the order.

Conclusion

Overall the St Croix fly rods are well worth considering, regardless of the category. Just make sure you pick a rod that suits the kind of fishing you’re going to be doing, whether it’s freshwater, saltwater, or spey casting.

The only reason you shouldn’t go with this line is if you’re not an experienced angler; these rods are more suited for anglers that have already acquired an advanced skill set.