I guess my experience with St. Croix is a little difference than most. I broke the upper section of a Wild River salmon rod while fighting a coho salmon about 15 years ago in Alaska. And no, I was not “high sticking” the rod.
It just happened that I was going to be in Park Falls, WI about a month after I returned from Alaska. I took the rod into the St Croix headquarters and told them what had happened and I would like to use the warranty on this new rod as it broke on the first trip is was used.
The guy took a look at the rod and said, “It looks like this rod has been shut in a car door.” Needless to say I was mad, the rod had never been close to a car door unless it was in a hard airline travel tube.
After some discussion and him going “back to check with his supervisors” he finally said St. Croix would replace the top section, which would “fix” the rod. All I had to do was pay them $20 so it could be shipped back to me (I live three states west of Wisconsin).
I have not used the rod since, but I am thinking about taking it to Alaska this year. If it breaks this time it is bound for the trash can.
Buffalo Fishhead