Great video brother! I have their "10ft 2wt Epiphany Nymphing Rod" with the fighting butt and it is actually a better rod than my "Winston Boron 2" that I paid $1000.00 for. I just ordered Moonshine's "4 wt. 10 foot Epiphany" this evening (45 minutes ago) with their Creede 5/6 fly reel and can not WAIT to fish it!!! The COMBO cost was DISCOUNTED 10% on the website so I only paid $538.00 with POSTAGE!!! .... I have fished 200 to 225 days a year since 2006 for trout in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon and northern California, and have had MANY rods and reels, and I would NEVER get excited about a $179.00 or $299.00 rod, but MOONSHINE ROD COMPANY has changed me and I am now a CONVERT!!! ...Sorry Sage, Winston, Orvis and the likes!!! Thanks so much Dakota Berdahl (Moonshine Rod Co.) My order was placed 45minutes ago for both Rod and Reel and I can NOT wait to fish that combo!!!
This company is great! I have an Epiphany 10’ 2wt. My next purchase from Moonshine was going to the Drifter 9’5wt. Great honest review. I’m definitely getting this rod now.
I bought this rod at 10 ft 5 weight for Nymphing and dries on the West Branch of the Delaware. I Love it. My Rod came with no alignment dots (4 piece). Put put them on my self, no problem. Nice review.
Can’t wait to fish the lures I got from you! Maine Trout Whisperer is a great company folks, to buy from! I have the 10’ 6” Moonshine Vesper Euro rod and run it with colored mono and amnesia yellow for indicator line (lazer skagit mono shooting line). My catch rate has gone way up for fly with it. I have seen the Moonshine company knocked, but for me, it’s just not true - high quality rod for the price and of course if you fish a lot you will break tips for sure (car door, tailgate…snags etc) and most replacement tips for high end rods start at $150 and go up.
I just purchased and received two days ago a 5 weight drifter 2 9 foot and a 7 weight drifter 2 9 foot . Haven’t got to try them yet. The only thing I don’t like I read they are made in China
Thanks for the review!! From the guy who’s day ended with a broken tip. I did land a nice 18 inch Rainbow before the tip broke. Only wish the case held the reel as well, but odds are I’ll be getting one
Great review man. I just bought this rod this afternoon and am really excited for this lower priced medium action 5wt. I'm out in Colorado and wanted a lower priced and quality 5wt when I am going to be doing the several mile hikes to streams and cannot take several rods.
@@morethanflies Yeah no problems. I even use it a lot more than I thought I would. More than my 5wt. I fish a lot of small mountain streams in CO and it's perfect for that.
That is a gorgeous Rod for the price! I bought some of your Everett lures recently. Really like the single hook. Had some good catches on the Blue Fade spoon as well.
I have 2 Drifters one is 9' and one 10, both 5 Weight.'. I have used this rod all over the South and West in boats and wading and only had one problem...I tripped and broke a rod tip... 38 bucks to replace from the company and I had the spare so my trip wasn't over....no alignment dots on mine but no problem lining everything up.
Maine Trout Whisperer Fly rods and reels are the most often less understood and overpriced tackle you will ever buy. There are only a few American rod manufacturers that make rod blanks in America not counting Custom Bamboo rod makers. American manufactured reels are even fewer, and all are very expensive to own. Fly rods and reels are like Wine; you can drink a $1,000 bottle or a $10 bottle; both provide relaxing impairment. Both bottles break the same as fly rods do, regardless of cost. Lifetime warranties are a good reason to buy a rod costing a little more. However, the policies of the warranty often are seldom mentioned. Most require a deductible payment and require you to pay shipping and handling at least one way. That means lower priced rods needing repair might cost fifty to seventy dollars applying the warranty. It also might take weeks to get back too. I own and use rods costing over a $1,000 dollars to ones, I paid as little as $40 dollars for brand new. There is nothing wrong with spending the money for an Orvis rod made in Manchester Vermont if that floats your boat. There nothing wrong with enjoying a Moonshine rod either. However, if you buy a fly rod from Walmart and it fails; 100% of the time you can get another outfit or rod replaced at any Walmart in the country no questions asked, within two days or immediately if one is in store. That provides less stress on your wallet and is quite more convenient than shipping one back yourself. Just something you might think about if you are new to fly fishing.
Gizmo Carr I’m not sure what you’re trying to say here, but I should have gone into more detail on the warranty. If you break a section of the rod, Yes it’s a $38 charge and they send you a new one within a week. If they don’t have that section, or it can’t be fixed with a replacement section, a new rod is sent. 9 times out of 10 you break the tip. They give you 2 tips right out the gate which is great. It’s about value for me. You’re right, you can spend $1000 and get the most responsive, light weight and sensitive rod or $40 and get some heavy, whippy, dead rod. Yes they both break, but what’s the best value for your money? I’m not comparing this to your $1000 orvis or sage, it’s a entry level price point rod with a mid range feel. At $200 this rod functions phenomenally, comes with a second tip, lifetime warranty, rod tube and sticker.... come on now? Lol
@@mainetroutwhisperer The truth is some of bargain priced rods cast great. If you fish tiny streams soft action rods load with less line and cast beautifully. Anyone just starting out fly fishing needs an outfit that doesn’t break the bank. Soft action rods are easier to cast because the slow action provides a better feel of the line loading the rod. They give the beginner more time to figure out what is happening. Your skills are far advanced from a beginner. When you spend big money for a rod you are paying a lot just for the name. The truth is spending less gets you more for your money most of the time when it comes to fly rods. You know what you find out spending too much for a rod; you find out they are seldom much better than one costing much less.
Thanks for the input...I snapped my fly rod tip earlier this year and have been holding off to replace my rod...I'll probably give this company a try..
Yo Whisperer, killer fly rod! I’m a big trout fisherman in SoCal and have bought spinners from you in the past. If I ever need a fly rod, I’ll get the Moonshine! Sweet 🔥🔥🔥
I was looking at some moonshine rods, my buddies want me to get out on the ocean with them so I also need to get a 8 or 9 wt. A review on one of them would be mint!
Like the video. I'm currently looking at their Drifter II as a new rod. My current St Croix is around 15 years old, and am looking to upgrade to new 5w 9'. Are you still using this setup?
Until it breaks... I bought one 2 years ago and had the tip break on me while fishing the Metolius this year. Cabela's used to have a lifetime warranty on their rods so I thought I was good. I went into the service counter and they informed me they only have a 90 day warranty with receipt and will only warranty for what they perceive as defects under normal 'wear and tear' conditions. Needless to say I walked out pissed knowing I could have spent my money elsewhere and had a solution to repair my rod. Never again Cabela's!
@@mainetroutwhisperer What's Moonshine's return policy? If u didn't like it can you send it back? I've never bought a fly rod without casting it first.
I will look into Moonshine. I will purchase a 4 wt. and if they have that I am interested. I own two Redingtons which are very nice for the price, both are Path models in a 3 and 5 weight
Pros: nice looking and feels good when casting. Accurate and easy to perform roll casts. Cons: Its a decorative rod to hang up. Its not practical at all. The only thing its good for, maybe is a dry fly rod (so you can see the strike). All other applications wont work for this rod as it does not have any sensitivity: you can't feel a fish take. No Euro Nymphing no swinging a streamer or wet flies. When you actually do have a fish slam your fly, you feel a slight (very light) tug, the rod is not medium fast, its moderate, meaning it has a split second delay and will miss the set on the fish 3/4 times for wet flies. AND those 1/4 times you actually do hook the fish (because the fish nearly chokes the fly), the sections of the rods are built a certain way where the fish will shake you off. I bought into the hype. Don't buy this rod. Unless you want a wall decoration or like not landing fish.
@@mainetroutwhisperer figured as much. Only guys who wear lipstick and keister butt plugs like their own comments. Let me get this straight, you’re trying to burn me by saying you have plenty of lipstick and butt plugs? I’m not interested, the only place I’d throw a moonshine rod would be in the trash. Cheap Chinese made blanks. Straight garbage.
@@mpatterson6799 Why don’t you do a video on it then? Give us some information that’s actually useful instead of just saying they are junk. Maybe they are…, but prove it. Compared to your Orvis Helios? Certainly. You could buy 5 of these for the same price. All I can say is mine has worked great for me, and I would buy another. These aren’t high end rods… and they aren’t marketed as such.
They do. I didn’t pay for the rod, but I’ve had it for over 3 years and actually enjoy using it. I get they are like the nickleback of the fly rod industry, but I’ve got everything from Sage, echo, redington, TFO, and it works just fine. I can’t tell much of a difference, but I don’t really care that much either.
Great video brother! I have their "10ft 2wt Epiphany Nymphing Rod" with the fighting butt and it is actually a better rod than my "Winston Boron 2" that I paid $1000.00 for. I just ordered Moonshine's "4 wt. 10 foot Epiphany" this evening (45 minutes ago) with their Creede 5/6 fly reel and can not WAIT to fish it!!! The COMBO cost was DISCOUNTED 10% on the website so I only paid $538.00 with POSTAGE!!! .... I have fished 200 to 225 days a year since 2006 for trout in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon and northern California, and have had MANY rods and reels, and I would NEVER get excited about a $179.00 or $299.00 rod, but MOONSHINE ROD COMPANY has changed me and I am now a CONVERT!!! ...Sorry Sage, Winston, Orvis and the likes!!! Thanks so much Dakota Berdahl (Moonshine Rod Co.) My order was placed 45minutes ago for both Rod and Reel and I can NOT wait to fish that combo!!!
This company is great! I have an Epiphany 10’ 2wt. My next purchase from Moonshine was going to the Drifter 9’5wt. Great honest review. I’m definitely getting this rod now.
I bought this rod at 10 ft 5 weight for Nymphing and dries on the West Branch of the Delaware. I Love it. My Rod came with no alignment dots (4 piece). Put put them on my self, no problem. Nice review.
Can’t wait to fish the lures I got from you! Maine Trout Whisperer is a great company folks, to buy from! I have the 10’ 6” Moonshine Vesper Euro rod and run it with colored mono and amnesia yellow for indicator line (lazer skagit mono shooting line). My catch rate has gone way up for fly with it. I have seen the Moonshine company knocked, but for me, it’s just not true - high quality rod for the price and of course if you fish a lot you will break tips for sure (car door, tailgate…snags etc) and most replacement tips for high end rods start at $150 and go up.
Just ordered the 10’ 5 weight drifter. I think I’m gonna enjoy it.
I just purchased and received two days ago a 5 weight drifter 2 9 foot and a 7 weight drifter 2 9 foot . Haven’t got to try them yet. The only thing I don’t like I read they are made in China
Honest and great review! Love it. Have always enjoyed your content. Keep it up!
Thanks for the review!! From the guy who’s day ended with a broken tip. I did land a nice 18 inch Rainbow before the tip broke. Only wish the case held the reel as well, but odds are I’ll be getting one
Great review man. I just bought this rod this afternoon and am really excited for this lower priced medium action 5wt. I'm out in Colorado and wanted a lower priced and quality 5wt when I am going to be doing the several mile hikes to streams and cannot take several rods.
I got my 7ft6 3 wt a week ago. So far it's great. Really nice rod
I’m about to buy that exact same rod you got,is it good?
@@morethanflies Yeah no problems. I even use it a lot more than I thought I would. More than my 5wt. I fish a lot of small mountain streams in CO and it's perfect for that.
@@joeg5414 thanks I just ordered mine😂
That is a gorgeous Rod for the price! I bought some of your Everett lures recently. Really like the single hook. Had some good catches on the Blue Fade spoon as well.
I have 2 Drifters one is 9' and one 10, both 5 Weight.'. I have used this rod all over the South and West in boats and wading and only had one problem...I tripped and broke a rod tip... 38 bucks to replace from the company and I had the spare so my trip wasn't over....no alignment dots on mine but no problem lining everything up.
Redington wants $45 plus $13 shipping to send me a rod tip… ridiculous! No spare either. Switching to a drifter.
Great video. I have the 4wt drifter and enjoying it. Noticed moonshine is getting a lot of hate lately on line, not sure why?
It means they're making inroads and the big boys don't like it.
I love both of mine and am waiting for my third one to get here.
Lookin to pick me up one soon, thanks for the video
Maine Trout Whisperer
Fly rods and reels are the most often less understood and overpriced tackle you will ever buy. There are only a few American rod manufacturers that make rod blanks in America not counting Custom Bamboo rod makers. American manufactured reels are even fewer, and all are very expensive to own. Fly rods and reels are like Wine; you can drink a $1,000 bottle or a $10 bottle; both provide relaxing impairment. Both bottles break the same as fly rods do, regardless of cost. Lifetime warranties are a good reason to buy a rod costing a little more. However, the policies of the warranty often are seldom mentioned. Most require a deductible payment and require you to pay shipping and handling at least one way. That means lower priced rods needing repair might cost fifty to seventy dollars applying the warranty. It also might take weeks to get back too. I own and use rods costing over a $1,000 dollars to ones, I paid as little as $40 dollars for brand new. There is nothing wrong with spending the money for an Orvis rod made in Manchester Vermont if that floats your boat. There nothing wrong with enjoying a Moonshine rod either. However, if you buy a fly rod from Walmart and it fails; 100% of the time you can get another outfit or rod replaced at any Walmart in the country no questions asked, within two days or immediately if one is in store. That provides less stress on your wallet and is quite more convenient than shipping one back yourself. Just something you might think about if you are new to fly fishing.
Gizmo Carr I’m not sure what you’re trying to say here, but I should have gone into more detail on the warranty. If you break a section of the rod, Yes it’s a $38 charge and they send you a new one within a week. If they don’t have that section, or it can’t be fixed with a replacement section, a new rod is sent. 9 times out of 10 you break the tip. They give you 2 tips right out the gate which is great. It’s about value for me. You’re right, you can spend $1000 and get the most responsive, light weight and sensitive rod or $40 and get some heavy, whippy, dead rod. Yes they both break, but what’s the best value for your money? I’m not comparing this to your $1000 orvis or sage, it’s a entry level price point rod with a mid range feel. At $200 this rod functions phenomenally, comes with a second tip, lifetime warranty, rod tube and sticker.... come on now? Lol
@@mainetroutwhisperer The truth is some of bargain priced rods cast great. If you fish tiny streams soft action rods load with less line and cast beautifully. Anyone just starting out fly fishing needs an outfit that doesn’t break the bank. Soft action rods are easier to cast because the slow action provides a better feel of the line loading the rod. They give the beginner more time to figure out what is happening. Your skills are far advanced from a beginner. When you spend big money for a rod you are paying a lot just for the name. The truth is spending less gets you more for your money most of the time when it comes to fly rods. You know what you find out spending too much for a rod; you find out they are seldom much better than one costing much less.
Thanks for the input...I snapped my fly rod tip earlier this year and have been holding off to replace my rod...I'll probably give this company a try..
Love my 10' 5wt drifter
Yo Whisperer, killer fly rod! I’m a big trout fisherman in SoCal and have bought spinners from you in the past. If I ever need a fly rod, I’ll get the Moonshine! Sweet 🔥🔥🔥
They are horrible rods hahaha
I purchased the same rod to try out this year and love it!
Going to look to buy one just based on the first couple min of this video. Sounds like a great deal! Thanks for the info
People give them a lot of crap but I still have this rod and setup and it works great
Can you sometime break down the different types of rods and talk about what medium, medium fast and fast means on the fly rod.
I was looking at some moonshine rods, my buddies want me to get out on the ocean with them so I also need to get a 8 or 9 wt. A review on one of them would be mint!
Like the video. I'm currently looking at their Drifter II as a new rod. My current St Croix is around 15 years old, and am looking to upgrade to new 5w 9'. Are you still using this setup?
I am. They get a lot of crap from people in the industry, but it’s a decent rod. I Use it all the time.
@@mainetroutwhisperer I don't fish enough to justify a $500 + rod to myself. So this is in my range and looks beautiful. Thanks
Most high end rods you’re just paying for the name. And most high end rods now their warranty suck.
sweet lookin rig
Looks well worth the Money!
Love that Carhartt shirt. They Should sponsor you.
Why are you fishing a left handed reel when you fish right handed? You gotta switch hands to get em on the reel?
Habit. Can’t change now. I can’t reel left handed.
My rod didn’t come with the double reel locks
Great review. I have been looking at Moonshine. You are solidifying my path!!
Great review. What floating fly line do you recommend with this setup?
I always recommend Rio Gold line, best out there but it comes with a price tag of course.
I’m telling you, the Cabela’s rogue is one of the nicest rods on the market for not even $300
Until it breaks... I bought one 2 years ago and had the tip break on me while fishing the Metolius this year. Cabela's used to have a lifetime warranty on their rods so I thought I was good. I went into the service counter and they informed me they only have a 90 day warranty with receipt and will only warranty for what they perceive as defects under normal 'wear and tear' conditions. Needless to say I walked out pissed knowing I could have spent my money elsewhere and had a solution to repair my rod. Never again Cabela's!
You are trippin
@@Subaruuu12 have you tried it?
you are right handed, why do you have your reel set up for left-hand wind? locking rings
I like it that way. I reel right handed. Just how I learned and couldn’t break the habit
@@mainetroutwhisperer if it works stick with it
Are You rocking a #2 or #3 arbor on that rig?
have an 8.5 4wt and have the same issue when i line up the dots
What fly line do you use with that drifter rod
What if it was your 101st rod?
I have the exact same rod but mine came with no dots
If I'm new ...
Do I want shorter or loner fly rod ..
7'6 or 8'6
I wouldn’t base it off skill level. 8’6 is a good all around rod. That or a 9’ is most common. If your fishing smaller streams you could go shorter.
Question? Did you buy this rod without trying it out first?
Yes. I got the rod, used it a bunch, then did the review
@@mainetroutwhisperer What's Moonshine's return policy? If u didn't like it can you send it back? I've never bought a fly rod without casting it first.
@@jayfxdx check out their website. Not sure. If it doesn’t say just email them. They have great customer service
@@mainetroutwhisperer so you bought this rod to do the review?
@@sdriza I got it because I wanted a new 5wt. Figured I’d do a review on it.
Redington vice rod would be a better deal on same price
I just bought my first fly rod a orvis package. Did I make a mistake
jason rendfrey not at all
jason rendfrey nope
I will look into Moonshine. I will purchase a 4 wt. and if they have that I am interested. I own two Redingtons which are very nice for the price, both are Path models in a 3 and 5 weight
Pros: nice looking and feels good when casting. Accurate and easy to perform roll casts.
Cons:
Its a decorative rod to hang up. Its not practical at all. The only thing its good for, maybe is a dry fly rod (so you can see the strike). All other applications wont work for this rod as it does not have any sensitivity: you can't feel a fish take. No Euro Nymphing no swinging a streamer or wet flies. When you actually do have a fish slam your fly, you feel a slight (very light) tug, the rod is not medium fast, its moderate, meaning it has a split second delay and will miss the set on the fish 3/4 times for wet flies. AND those 1/4 times you actually do hook the fish (because the fish nearly chokes the fly), the sections of the rods are built a certain way where the fish will shake you off. I bought into the hype. Don't buy this rod. Unless you want a wall decoration or like not landing fish.
How does ‘ the way the sections are built ‘ affect a fish shaking off?
If you interested, i'll sell you mines for 100 bucks@@raleighthomas3079
I heard this rod comes with a buff, a flat brimmed hat, a pack of spearmint zyn, some lipstick and a butt plug.
Sounds like you talked to the wrong guy. Not sure what river you’ve been hanging out on..
@@mainetroutwhisperer you sound mad. Tate must not have sent the lipstick and butt plug n your rod tube. I’d call him.
@@mpatterson6799 I’ve got plenty. I’ll give him a call and just have them sent over to you. Just let me know what your parents address is.
@@mainetroutwhisperer figured as much. Only guys who wear lipstick and keister butt plugs like their own comments. Let me get this straight, you’re trying to burn me by saying you have plenty of lipstick and butt plugs? I’m not interested, the only place I’d throw a moonshine rod would be in the trash. Cheap Chinese made blanks. Straight garbage.
@@mpatterson6799 Why don’t you do a video on it then? Give us some information that’s actually useful instead of just saying they are junk. Maybe they are…, but prove it. Compared to your Orvis Helios? Certainly. You could buy 5 of these for the same price. All I can say is mine has worked great for me, and I would buy another. These aren’t high end rods… and they aren’t marketed as such.
People actually buy and use these rods?!?! Hahahahahahahhahahahhahahahahahahahah
They do. I didn’t pay for the rod, but I’ve had it for over 3 years and actually enjoy using it. I get they are like the nickleback of the fly rod industry, but I’ve got everything from Sage, echo, redington, TFO, and it works just fine. I can’t tell much of a difference, but I don’t really care that much either.
@mainetroutwhisperer nickleback is actually good though. Moonshine not so much lol.