Trouts Fly Fishing

Manufacturer: St. Croix Fly Rods

Product: St. Croix Kelly Galloup Bank Robber Series 907-4 Fly Rod

Retail Price: $$400

Tester: Rick Mikesell, Trout's Fly Fishing

Rating: 5/5 - One of the coolest new fly rods to come out in a long time

Date Tested: Februrary 16, 2011

Test Area: Blue River - Summit County, Colorado

What They Say:

Like an ancient energy source, anglers are drawn to Montana's Madison River to feel the magic, soak in the camaraderie and learn the ways of the masters. Kelly Galloup would be high on the list of masters, especially when it comes to chucking honking meaty streamers at big fish. Our new Bank Robber fly rods are designed by Kelly and embody exactly what he's looking for when it comes to pounding the bank with Zoo Cougars and Butt Monkeys. These two high-modulus / high-strain SCV graphite blanks reinforced with super high-modulus SCIV graphite in lower sections for added power are also two of the first St. Croix rods to feature NSi (Nano Silica), the innovative new 3M Matrix Resin. Combined with St. Croix's proprietary ART and IPC technology, the new Bank Robbers are two of the most advanced fly rods to be introduced in many years.

What We Say:

Hands down, my new favorite Rod!! This thing is a meat hucking machine. Turning over big flies is no problem with the unique tip action of the bank robber, which seems to encourage clean loops and catapult marabou and bunny monstrosities with pinpoint accuracy. This stick would also be very effective as a light bass rod (Poppers!!!) and perhaps the perfect boat rod, for quick pounding the banks on big western rivers. Not only is it a great performing rod, but it a handsome one as well. A very unique gloss grey blank, with far from status quo graphic embellishment, compliment the one of a kind skeleton reel seat, and high quality cork modified full wells grip. The BR also utilizes 3m matrix Resin, Gloomis & Hardy say it is a game changer and their matrix resin rods run $800+. The difference I noticed was a rod that felt lighter in the hand and didn't lead to shoulder fatigue after a day of long casts.

Last Minute Thoughts:

An American made arm cannon, light in the hand, yet heavy on the power, built with the latest graphite technology for $400. Incredible!!!