How Legends are “Named”
OutdoorHub 07.18.12
Topping the list of ingredients central to the creation of any of the “finer things” in life is something called atmosphere—that optimal geographical aesthetic that helps uber talented people excel at their craft. When ambiance meets aptitude, the result is nearly always extraordinary.
It’s why the world’s finest wines come to life at scenic Rothschild Lafite Vineyard, France; why the sharpest computer technology emerges from the Silicon Valley; and certainly why the world’s best fishing rods rise like phoenixes from the mandrels at Park Falls, Wisconsin based St. Croix Rods. If a more idyllic setting for crafting rods exists outside the pastoral northwoods community, it’s yet to be discovered.
Meanwhile, fifteen hundred miles to the south lies Orlando, Florida—that leading producer of family fun. It’s also where the 2012 ICAST show came to town, providing the perfect setting for fishing companies waiting to showcase their finest wares. For St. Croix, it was like getting the keys to the Magic Kingdom.
Making a nearly clean sweep in ICAST’s prestigious Best of Show Awards for fishing rods, St. Croix walked away with both Best Freshwater Rod and Best Saltwater Rod honors. Voters agreed—St. Croix had brought their “A” game, unveiling for the industry a radically innovative freshwater rod dubbed Legend Xtreme. Perhaps never before had so much meticulous technology imbued a singular angling instrument.
“Legend Xtreme is the single most technologically advanced fishing rod St. Croix has ever built,” said Dave Schluter, VP of Product Management, “We really stuck our neck out with this rod, starting with a totally original handle design that was born from 3-D computer aided precision. We call it Xtreme-Skin, and the material repels water, dirt and fish slime, and it provides the ultimate positive connection between the angler and the rod.”
St. Croix Regional Account Manager Dan Johnston added, “I wish I had an hour to tell you about this rod—that’s how much technology has been built into it. For the first time, we combined our exclusive IPC tooling technology with new Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) which means we’ve matched our continuous taper mandrels with unique, curved blank patterns for extraordinary actions with improved sensitivity.”
Crafted and forged with every high-level St. Croix technology in existence, the new improved Legend Xtreme is offered in 29 customized actions, and features a lifetime limited warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
Well, enough words and pictures. Time to let actual footage from the show tell the story…
