Park Falls, WI – St. Croix® and Kelly Galloup have co-developed a mini-series of specialized streamer fly rods named the Bank Robber – built specifically for “pounding the bank” with streamers along major trout rivers. Kelly Galloup is a well-known fly designer, outfitter, writer, seminar speaker and lodge owner on Montana’s Madison River. His Butt Monkey, Zoo Cougar and other innovative patterns have led the recent revolution in streamer fly fishing.
“We’ve known and respected Kelly for years,” explained Jeff Schluter, St. Croix’s vice president of marketing, “so when Kelly decided he wanted to create the ultimate streamer rod, we knew it was the right project for St. Croix. We have the same philosophy and core values, so it’s truly exciting to work side-by-side with Kelly. The Bank Robbers are built exactly the way Kelly wanted them.”
The new mini-series features two 9′ 4-piece rods rated for #6-weight and #7-weight lines. Built on high-modulus/high- strain SCV graphite blanks and reinforced with super-high-modulus SCVI graphite in lower sections for added power with reduced weight, they’re two of the first St. Croix rods to feature 3M Matrix Resin, the innovative new nano resin from 3M. Combined with St. Croix’s proprietary Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology, which produces continuous curve tapers for one-piece performance in a four-piece design, and Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ARTTM), which adds strength to the blank without adding extra weight or bulk, the new Bank Robbers are two of the most technologically advanced fly rods to be introduced in many years.
Bank Robbers are fitted with Fuji® K stripper guides and Fuji® MN tops, both with Alconite rings, and hard chrome snake guides – with all thread wraps protected by two coats of Flex Coat® slow-cure finish. The handles feature lightweight machined-aluminum reel seats with built in hook-keepers and flora-grade cork grips.
Co-designed by Kelly Galloup and the St. Croix product team, all Bank Robbers are handcrafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, come with a rugged rod case with handle and divided polypropylene liner – and are protected by a lifetime limited warranty backed by St. Croix’s Superstar Service.
