Moonshine Rod Company Fly Fishing Rod with Carrying Case and Extra Rod Tip

I had found this rod on my own on Amazon and after doing some digging online, I saw that many people on YouTube recommend these rods and use their various models for different types of fishing. I purchased this as my very first fly rod and because I am a beginner, I have been beating the ever living hell out of this 10 foot 5wt and it is holding up brilliantly. After being thoroughly impressed with the rod, I went to the website to see what the manufacturers are like. Turns out they are very amazing and they have full warranty support to allow customers to order any individual piece of the rod that may break. They also send an extra tip in the very durable and nice case. The guys over at moonshine are killing it and they have now earned a lifetime customer. As for the actual rod itself, it’s beautiful and elegant the wood accents on the grip well as the brass fittings and overall fit and finish of the rod or top-notch. I’m not sure how they’re able to keep the lights on only charging very little for these rods compared to the other name brands. I’ve used a lot of the other name brands and I don’t see where the 10 X increase in price gives you 10 X performance. To be honest, these are kind of the end all be all for anyone who’s not a full-time professional fly fisherman, but to be honest, I think even the pros would be just fine with this rod or anything from the guys over at moonshine. If you’re considering this as your first rod , just do it spend a little extra to not get some Chinese combo that you will outgrow quickly. only given five stars because you can’t give six.

This is the 4th rod i have purchased from moonshine co. I have had over 40 different brands prior to these guys (i will not include names) but ive yet to find a better bang for your buck. The quality is absolutely superb from balance and feel to the overall functionality. Very fun to use in the creeks and lakes in Colorado. VERY responsive. I have to say this is my new “GO TO” fly rod! Ive pulled everything from 2” blue gill and 22” trout with comfort and ease without being concerned about it breaking. Well done moonshine!

So I ended up returning this as I wanted a faster action rod for my 3wt but I do still own the moonshine Drifter II 5wt and although I would consider it a medium-fast action rod I love it. Fantastic look and quality build and you can't beat the spare tip it comes with included in the price. I tried to buy their Euro Nymph rod the Epiphany recently (July 2026), but they are out of stock and don't know when they will have more. Unfortunate for me. Great product, don't hesitate to purchase.

The craftsmanship on this rod is absolutely top-notch. From the moment you take it out of the case, you can tell it’s made with care and attention to detail. As someone who really appreciates quality gear, I was impressed right away. Out on the water, this rod performs just as well as it looks. The casting is smooth and accurate, with a great feel and balance in hand. It loads well and delivers a clean presentation without much effort. I’ve used it primarily on the North Platte River in Wyoming and had excellent success with it—plenty of control even in variable conditions, and the backbone to handle feisty trout. The weight feels just right for all-day use, and I had no issues with fatigue or strain after long sessions. It’s clear Moonshine Rod Co. knows what they're doing. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just looking for a rod that will help you grow in the sport, this is a rock-solid choice and a great value. The weight and size of the rod are perfect for larger rivers. It's not the best choice for fishing small rivers and creeks but for decent sized fish this is a great option. Highly recommend—beautiful rod, reliable performance, and a great company behind it.

When Moonshine was reducing inventory on the original Drifter, I was able to pick one up at substantial savings. I got the 10’ 5wt to use on lakes especially out of a float tube. The medium action of the original Drifter was fine but swing weight on the 10’ rod was a little high for my wrist and balance a little awkward. When I got the chance to pick up the Drifter 2 on Amazon Prime day at 40% off, I went for it and got another 10’ 5wt. The Drifter 2 has a lot less swing weight and a much faster action. I like its feel and action much more. It has single foot guides (which I like but they could be larger) a different, lighter reel seat, alignment dots, and a small cork butte on the reel seat (smaller than a fighting butte). I believe I will use this rod a lot more than I was using the original Drifter. For me and with this rod I think the balance and action of the Drifter 2 is much nicer. Of course, like all the Moonshine rods it has two tips and good warranty. Yes it is made in China but that is no problem for me. I have a lot of rods and some of my favorites are Chinese. As I understand, the Drifter 2 uses higher modulus carbon fiber allowing for more power with lighter weight which is an advantage for distance, wind and streamers. Hope this assessment was useful. After fishing the rod I am changing my rating from 5 to 4 stars. It really bothers me the guides are so small. Makes it difficult to use and land fish with long leaders. The small guides are a pain.

I was looking for a 10’ 5wt fly rod but I didn’t wanna spend $300 on an Orvis Clearwater. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t expecting much for $121, but boy was I wrong. I fished the Moonshine Drifter over the weekend on my favorite cutthroat trout river and loved it! I threw nymphs with indicators in the morning and tiny BWO’s to #10 Caddis flies and the rod performed exceptionally. I could easily have left my 10’ 4 wt I use for small dries and my 9’ 5 wt for larger dries home. And yes, I caught a lot of nice fish. Love this rod!

I bought my first fly rod setup in 1994, so I have been at this a while. I was looking for a nice backup rod and reel without breaking the bank. I purchased the Moonshine Drifter 5wt rod and I paired it with the Kingfisher Big Blackfoot Reel with a loaded it with RIO Perception WF5F fly line I found on sale. The rod was packaged in nice rod case and came with a spare rod tip. The rod is light weight and seems to be well made. I love the look of this rod with the copper accents and the wood reel seat. I spent a week on the river fishing with this rod and it worked perfectly. This rod is on par with some of my more expensive rods. I am planning on purchasing another Moonshine rod in a 9wt. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun and catch fish, but a good rod and reel along with a good fly line makes it more enjoyable. If you are looking for a nice rod either as a beginner or an avid fisherman, this rod deserves chance.

Normally I don't review products prior to actually using them for a while but in this case, I will. I'll come back and edit it once it gets on the water a few times. First of all, the case is great. Canvas covered and each rod section fits into its own sleeve. Even the extra tip section has it's own sleeve. Nice embroidered Moonshine logo on the canvas.. Not printed or a sticker. Nice thick foam padding on each end of the case. The same basic case sells around $70 elsewhere. The rod itself (Drifter2 5wt, 9ft) is attractive, fit and finish are very good and nice rapping at the guides. Nothing fancy, just functional and neatly done. One alignment dot is a hair off. I can live with that. I did cast it with a Piscuifun Sword 5/6wt reel and Cortland 444 WF 5wt floating line and casts as well as my Orvis (if not a little better). I'll update after it gets in the water.

Haven't used it yet but as far as I can tell the craftsmanship on this rod is unmatched. Thank you moonshine rod co

belle qualité et avec une section de spare

Have fished this rod for a few weeks now on the small streams of Dartmoor, and have to say it's a little cracker! Handles casting into stiff breezes admirably, and when playing decent moorland trout it bends deep for maximum enjoyment during the fight! The quality of the rod and fittings is excellent, it looks great and is a joy to use. Just buy one you will not be disappointed.

3wt sure catches fish! Also feels great, super strong and i can see this rod becoming my new go to fly rod!

Really good product