Moonshine Rods Better than Orvis?? 2021

Moonshine Drifter 5 weight Fly Rod Review 2021. Is it Better than the Orvis Clearwater?

[@jeffreydonaldson9757]

Pretty cool looking rod. My first fly fishing experience was at Cascade Lake in Idaho all the way back in August 1983. I used a the ole Eagle Claw Fly/Spinning rod. combo rod. i caught one coho salmon there that day. Learned alot over the years. Idaho is a beautiful state. I have been through it twice .

[@BunchyFishin]

I bought my 5wt drifter about 7 months ago, and i freaking love the thing it is a unique color and no one else in my club has one so it stands out which is another bonus!

[@joeg5414]

I can't wait to order mine. Getting a drifter 3wt 7.5 ft for small streams in Colorado.

[@joeg5414]

Had it for 2 months now and it's the only rod I've used. Thought I'd only use it occasionally on small streams but I've been using it all the time in place of my 5 wt. Such a nice rod. I'll be ordering another one shortly. Maybe an 8wt for pike.Couldn't be happier with moonshine

[@donavinmcnabb129]

I've been on the edge about buying their switch rod. So thank you for this video. I'm doing it

[@idahomountainanglers1956]

Thanks for your comment. Keep us posted on how you like it!

[@vinesh969]

*Used this rod recently on a river hike in NH. It performed beautifully **enjoyable.fishing** recommend as I had hoped it would, on a whole heap of river smallies using tiny torpedoes and tubes.*

[@lxmacuahuitl1079]

Moonshine rods are an awesome value. I have a 4wt, 7' one ounce HLS rod I have owned for over 25 years. I broke the tip once, Orvis repaired it, no problem. It is now out of warranty and I rarely fish small streams anymore, so I rarely use it. I bought a 2wt, 10' Epiphany last August to try Euro nymphing. Awesome! I got hooked and have been using it on my home state's world class tail water. When Moonshine redesigned it Epiphany series and offered a 10' 4wt, well, I just had to have one. Bought it in December and now my problem is which one shall I use?!? Actually, I usually carry both, the 2 wt set up with a micro leader, and 4wt set up with a euro nymph leader and streamer jig. I hate rerigging on river so I do this and am always ready for whatever the conditions dictate. Awesome value and high quality rods. Highly recommend. Cheers

[@moonshinerodcompany5322]

Nice setup - glad you're happy with them!

[@chrispower448]

Just ordered this bad boy. First fly rod but I'm fascinated with the sport!

[@idahomountainanglers1956]

Keep us posted on how you like it!

[@idahocartel]

Awesome! Randomly came across this channel. Hi Maria Prekegas!

[@TheSpaniel1]

I wish we could get to try them in the UK, great video 👍😜

[@idahomountainanglers1956]

Thanks for the comment! Wish we could bring you a couple to the UK!

[@keepitreelfishing4823]

I returned a drifter for a Clearwater and haven’t looked back. Not a bad product, the Clearwater was just better.

[@fishlipflycollective142]

great video again you two rock...btw we need to go fish together btw...now for my feedback..I rock a moonshine epiphany for my euro outfit...the 2 wt..it has been epic ..I also run the orvis encounter on a few weights but not a euro rig...also a Great setup rig for the price....iv also fished home made rigs who use moonshine blanks and they did not meet my standard...however no guarantee those were official moonshine blanks just word of mouth. My experiences with both companies however are A plus

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Nice to see in the last 15 years or so rods coming out for under $400 and my experience with them is they are great . So don’t be fooled into thinking you need to spend a $1000 on a good rod . I often tell my friends when they ask what is the best rod ? I tell them the one you cast best . Most of us can all just about cast anything but there are some rods that really do fit your casting style better then others . And I have to say they all go good with Willies honey moonshine 🥃 Happy Trails

[@RodFraserMusician]

Thank you very much!! Great information and fun video....and I don't even drink anymore. haha!

[@g.r.murphy8633]

I have their 3wt Euro Nymph model, and I love it. Comparing it to other brands it has more features for a lot less money.

[@67polara]

They are having a 20% off sale today and that rod is $143 I don't see how that can be beat. I have 2 Moonshines they're the glass Revival rods. Pretty and I love the feel of them.

[@dankochanek8056]

Orvis charged you? They didn't charge me anything. Also sent me a t-shirt and stickers. Got my section in about a week. No freight charge either. Orvis for life. But I do like the Vesper also.

[@Flyfisher79]

So I bought a moonshine drifter about 5 years ago. Definitely looked good and I liked the extra tip, that’s where the likes stopped. The first time I tried to put the reel on it wouldn’t insert all the way into the upper reel seat. Poor quality control failed to locate the big glob of epoxy in the upper reel seat. I sent it back and they sent me a new one. I fished it for a year and I couldn’t get over how heavy it felt when casting it. Like a brick compared to other comparable rods. Also not as sensitive as i expected. I love the extra tip idea but there’s a ton of better rods out there for the price.

[@roderickmccall9359]

Like your guys style.,do more it will be well received.

[@idahomountainanglers1956]

Thanks so much for your comment! We try to make it fun and informative! Cheers!

[@TheStratfanatic]

Got the Drifter 9' 5 weight for a trip out west. Did great till I tripped on the Gallatin and broke the tip. Put the spare tip on and continued fishing. I just replaced the tip. 38 bucks plus shipping....I nhave an Orvis Clearwater 4wt 7' 6" and it is great at what it does. I'm thinking I need a 6 weight for a float trip that I want to do....Moonshine may see me again, and again. Love these rods.

[@idahomountainanglers1956]

Thanks for sharing your story! Love that there's an extra tip. No lag time for more fishing!

[@lynnblevens6749]

I own 3wt and a 7wt moonshine rods and love them. Hayden Idaho

[@juans3728]

Not only is the warranty good for as long as you are the owner but it has two tips on case one breaks you can continue on your fishing quest and the company caters to their customers, now who else will do that.

[@bimteck]

the only moonshine rod i have is the revival (glass) rod 5wt and its what gets used 95% of the time when i go out.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Bery interesting video

[@michaelgardner3031]

Still hard to justify $200 for a brand with such little time in the industry when reddington’s, orvis, lamson, and more have affordable options for beginners.

[@Gary2023]

Just purchased the 9 foot 5 weight drifter. Nice looking rod . However is tip heavy and has heavy swing weight. Clearwater rods are better balanced. If you fish all day 50 dollars isn’t much for comfort. As far as rod breakage goes . You need too learn how to handle fly rods.

[@GLOCKCOPG23]

I find Moonshine rods heavier than need be, dead feeling (not sensitive), and “floppy” with too much oscillation. I hate to say but they almost feel like an Eagle Claw Featherlight for $300. Not my cup of tea. YMMV

[@Shawn-ts4jw]

Well, those two rods are made in the same china factory, Leichi Fishing is the company

[@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595]

@@Shawn-ts4jw How do you know where each rod is made?

[@mpatterson6799]

I’ll stick to my USA made Orvis rods, thanks. Of course if I didn’t get everything at 40% off, I might have to buy something from China. I’ve compared a Moonshine to my new H3D and the build and components are far superior on the Orvis. I could say the same about all my other USA made rods from other former pro deals. Winston, Scott etc…

[@OscarOverlanding]

These 2 are tossed!!!!! Great review!!!!!

[@1afreenewsguy442]

I like Moonshine rods, everyone of there rods has been exceptional except a 4wt midnight special I ordered . I took it white bass fishing and a thorn from a briar vine caught on the ferrule and broke the rod. Totally surprised. But I've owned every freshwater model rod. The Vesper is great rod and love my 3wt Revival. I'm taking the Prophecy Switch to fish the surf this week

[@idahomountainanglers1956]

Thanks for your comment! We love it!

[@peytonbrown5830]

I’m a man of the people and I would love to quit my job and travel the world fishing so I just had to smack the subscribe

[@Subaruuu12]

Orvis, TFO, Redington, Fenwick > Moonshine Marketing Firm.

[@adamday2067]

The problem with modern rods is that their blank wall are getting thinner and thinner. Yes, lovely and light, some with good actions, but poor durability, and guarantees are worthless once the rod model has been discontinued.

[@BVDsGoneFishing]

Orvis has so much more R&D into their products. Moonshine is basically a marketing company. The answer is easy for me. The reason Moonshine rods are good is that you literally can't buy a bad blank now a days.

[@dougperry6846]

My son and I both have the 3wt drifter and we agree this rod is a great buy. And yes, orvis is over priced

[@adamnjethro4080]

Your paying for warranty I only use orvis rods considering I’m clumsy I break tips and for $60 I get a whole new tip section any time needed shipped to you in a week to have you in the water if you can name some others that have similiar customer service I’m all ears because I’ve been trying to find some

[@idahomountainanglers1956]

Thanks for your comments Doug and Adam. Tight lines!

[@PhillipPierceall]

Moonshine drifter is better than the Clearwater line. The only line in orvis that is better than any off the shelf rod is the h3 line. I think all around winston is better as a whole

[@lovetheoutdoors9485]

I actually won the 10ft 5wt moonshine drifter Series and it will be here this weekend. After getting the fly rod I was already disappointed. The rod is quite heavy for a 5wt. I have to put a 7/8 fly reel to balance the rod. very disappointed for a 5wt. My buddy likes it because he fishes steelhead with it but I wanted it for trouts as I have several steelhead fly rods. No use for this

[@lovetheoutdoors9485]

@@ueng928 @Kh Va The worst part is that I contacted Moonshine rod and ask a sales representative if the creede fly reel would balance the rod and they told me that is was a perfect match. After receiving the fly reel and spooling it, the rod was still unbalanced. I returned the reel and still have the fly rod sitting by a corner collecting dust.

[@lovetheoutdoors9485]

@@ueng928 I Agree. I have several fly rods for every situation. I'm now in the market for a trout spey rod and been looking at the echo glass 10ft 8" 4wt and the Sage 11ft 6" 4wt. I have a Douglas LRS 10ft 9wt and that rod is by far my favorite. I turned it into a Frankenstein fly rod by swinging a 475gr Skagit with a T8 10 sink tip for King Salmon.

[@lovetheoutdoors9485]

@@ueng928 Those are awesome fly rods. Thank for the input on them. Definitely going to give the sage a try 🤙🤙

[@shortbusdog]

I think the clear water is also imported. Moonshine is USA made.

[@Flyfisher79]

It’s assembled In the USA, made overseas.

[@nickvbenik]

Definitely not made in USA, blanks are from china

[@PandaMan204-jy8zv]

If you don't buy the cheapest Orvis rod they will send you a section out for $60. NO sending the rod in. Spend a couple hundred more and get a quality Recon. Moonshine rods not in the same ballpark as a good Orvis rod.

[@Shawn-ts4jw]

Wow, do people in the USA know these rods cost a whopping $30 out of the china factory? Fark these rods are entry level at best. (The Orvis clearwater entry level rod is also made by Leichi Fishing in China)

[@scod3908]

I thought these looked like Leichi products with USA advertising

[@Belbivdevoe]

Orvis rods are delicate. Buy Gloomis made in America and super durable

[@idahomountainanglers1956]

Thanks for your reply!

[@tommcc4055]

Sorry folks but all Orvis is made in the USA or used to be at least (I have an email that I just sent Orvis confirming or denying)...if I am wrong I will post their response! All Moonshine series rods are made in China sorry I am out...already buy enough products that fund the CCP!!! With that being said the drifter series is over priced since it is made in a country that is really known for it's outstanding labor & environmental laws.

[@carrollvoss4611]

100% Tom McCarley , glad you brought in critical details. there is nothing in this...review that compares or even reveals casting performance of each.

[@HippieMagic]

Not all of their series rods are made in China. Some are made in South Korea.

[@Shawn-ts4jw]

The factory is called Leichi Fishing, in China. Mostly crap stuff coming out of there

[@backpackerone]

The Clearwater is NOT made in the USA. The Encounter is NOT made in the USA. All other Orvis rods are made in Manchester, VT.

[@barry4fish19]

I own both US and overseas rods, the Vesper is made in S. Korea in same plant that also made award winning rods like the Hardy Zenith, and also Douglas Sky and Sky G, and many others. I love Orvis and Loomis too, but now Orvis does not put a hook-keeper on any of their rods. Also, look at the customer reviews for the Clearwater-pretty high breakage rates. There are quality manufacturers of fly rods overseas, Korea has made many of the best over the years, and that goes for fly reels too, lots of great ones. Yes I know Bauer and Galvan are great, but lots of people can’t afford paying for the higher labor costs, that’s just the way it is.

[@kkswain96]

Click bait.

[@MM-nw3dn]

Let’s be fair, China made vs American made! You fish everyday buy American made your a weekend warrior by a Walmart rod… it’s not the rod that makes the fisherman. Don’t buy overseas made rods if you wanna keep money in the states… if you don’t give a shit buy it. Simple common sense is all anybody needs to survive anymore.

[@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595]

What fly rods are US made?

[@peterchessell28]

Orvis hugely overpriced.

[@richarde1355]

Pays for your unconditional 25 year warranty...