Anyone own a moonshine rod? My local fly shop carries them, and I’m in the market for a new rod. They’re works of art, but how do they feel when fishing them? If you have one, what weight is it, are you only trout fishing, and how long have you had it? What reel did you pair with yours? Anyone ever used the warranty, and how was that experience? Thanks for any input!
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by raging-scarecrow
Most of the reviews you'll find are from people who received them via pro deal, so just be aware of that when researching. Those aside, everything I've heard has been not so good. I don't personally own one of their rods.
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by Ty-McFly
Marketing hype. You can get a better rod for the price.
If your shop has them go cast one.
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by Quick_Chowder
Any recommendations between the $2-400 range? I’m fairly new to fly fishing and right now I have the beginner Orvis and a few random rods (mostly St. Croix scratch models because I live in Wisconsin and they’re readily available) I’ve picked up at flea markets and yard sales, but I’m ready to purchase an intermediate rod.
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by raging-scarecrow
I've only cast one of their 5wt rods a little bit but they're not bad. The action was as described and while it didn't have any surprises...it also didn't have any surprises either, if that makes sense. They're overseas-made blanks that are finished up over here in the states. The quality felt good and they do admittedly look great. They offer a good warranty, though one has to wonder if they have the longevity to be able to support it. Again though, you can find better deals on better rods backed by companies with pedigrees/histories. I get the feeling they're trying to get a big enough operation going to start making they're own blanks stateside, so I get it.
Full disclosure, I may pick one up on sale since they're a Virginia-based company give it a whirl. Worst case scenario, I have a loaner rod. If you've got some available locally, cast them a little bit and see what you think. If you are shopping in that price range though, look at TFO Pro II, Fenwick Aetos, and Redington Vice as well. All three of those are killer lower-intermediate level rods for a great price.
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by NoahtheRed
I’ve heard great things about the Fenwicks and I like redington as a whole typically so I will definitely check those out. Thanks for the great response!
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by raging-scarecrow
Never fished them but I know the blanks because I use some of the same ones. If you are in the market, I also create works of art, one of a kind, custom fly rods.
www.yellowfinrods.com--
by jfred17
I will definitely check it out, thanks!
Edit: I just looked and love that you have a PA edition; that’s my home state!
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by raging-scarecrow
I have their euro nymph rig 10'6" 2 wt. It does what it needs to do! It's not my best rod, but it has caught it's fair share of browns.
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by jbrock6383
I owned the drifter rod, I ended up selling it to a buddy not long after owning it. I did not like how it felt at all! I ended up buying a diamondback fly rod for about the same price and have loved it. It’s now my go to rod over my more expensive ones.
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by bradenfire
I jus have the euro nymphing 10’ 6”, 3 wt. I like the rod a lot. The tip isn’t as sensitive as I would like, but it is still a nice nymphing rod. I don’t use a special euro-nymphing line just a WF-3-F line, and with a quick change of leader it switches to a nice casting dry fly rod.
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