Moonshine Rod CompanyCo. The Vesper Series Fly Fishing with Carrying Case and Extra Tip Section gray

First, the positives. It’s a decent middle range quality option for a low price. The tip is light with a moderate/fast action, so less noodle-y than your typical Euro rod. For me, it’s the perfect balance between sensitivity and casting strength. Profile also allows for the rod to fish well with dries. In general I’m able to carry just one rod to nymph, suspend, float or sink my flies with different leaders. Has worked well, gets fish every time, largest a feisty 18in wild. Great looks and the extra tip are added bonuses.The negative experience is with support. Unfortunately I broke two tips within a week. Their replacement tips are out of stock with no available restock date. They did offer me a deal on replacement tip when it restocks at an unknown date. But in the meantime, I’m stuck without a rod at the beginning of prime fall season. The only option to get back on water is to buy a new rod.In my humble opinion as an avid angler, I’d much rather have the assurance (and execution) of no downtime than just have a great rod that is no use for foreseeable future accidents.So to summarize, great rod, especially, for the occasional nympher, but if you get out on the water frequently, put you faith in some other company that can keep you fishing.Side note: Having tried their Epiphany II, I think this is a much better blank and rod.

This is the nicest fly fishing rod I’ve ever owned. Extremely well made and it looks it too! It comes in a nice hard case with a complete extra length tip in case you break one. Moonshine does a great job and it shows. If you are into Euro Nymphing, you cannot go wrong with this rod. Highly recommended

This is all you can want from a Euro Nymphing rod. Having tried most of the nymphing rods, this is by far the best value for money. As you are fishing with very light rods you mustn’t be afraid to fight those trouts pretty hard and I know I wouldn’t with a $1.000 rod.I coupled it with a Flylab Focus nymphing reel and the balance is absolutely perfect!Can’t recommend this combination enough!The perfect Euro Nymphing outfit for a (still) reasonable price!

Where to begin? From the first cast you could tell this stick was crafted with care and focus. It's not only beautiful but provides the ideal sensitivity and fun you are looking for. Comparing the feel of the cast vs. my others I couldn't put it down. My first trip with it and did well with the browns on the creek and this rod rocked the lake as well. It may be a euro rod but this puppy works no matter what application (Euro, Traditional, stripping buggers, etc...) I caught some nice bows on the lake too. If you have this in your list just do yourself a favor and get it!! No Disappointments.Side note: The customer service is above stellar. And shout out to Nick. I'm officially a Moonshine fan!

So, first the good. It's a beautiful rod, with quality everywhere you look. It's light, LONG (oh, my, is it long), and so...LIVELY. Yes, it's a very nice rod, and not only the rod itself but the presentation...the entire thing comes in a nice canvas-y bag, each piece separate, and that bag itself goes in a VERY nice hard-walled case. So, being quite clear, if you decide to spend the coin on this, it won't get hurt in the tiniest bit if you leave it in the trunk of your car or behind the seat of your truck. It's VERY well packaged. It's one thing to have a rod like this and then be afraid to take it anywhere because you might damage it, or have to buy a case for it. All that is included. So toss your $500 (w/ tax) rod in the trunk, it'll be FINE.The build of the rod sections themselves are exquisite. The quality of the graphite blank used sounds like music to the ear when you stroke it or tap it gently with your finger. Quality graphite SOUNDS delicate to the ear, yet is amazingly strong and resilient. The epoxy job on the guide bindings is almost flawless. They even coat the logo section on the rod with a generous coating of flawless, bubble and ripple free epoxy to keep it from damage. The downlocking rings on the reel seat spin smooth as silk, and as much of them as been machined away as possible to reduce weight. The handle is beautifully crafted cork (if a bit thin for me, but not horribly so). You almost don't want to fish with it, but rather take it on a picnic, where you can lie it out on a blanket in the sunshine for other anglers to admire with jealousy, while you sip on a mimosa and drift away to Steely Dan tunes on the radio.Oh, and then there's the part I'm not fond of. And I have to mention it because, at this price point, it begs mentioning that this otherwise fine, beautifully made rod comes with a "Made in Korea" sticker on it. Yeah, it says it in the description. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. At this price point, I expect them to be made by a guy named "Earl" in his garage, perhaps in Montana or one of the Dakotas (probably the better one). Or even in their home state of Va. So yes, it's a beautiful rod. But, sigh, it's made in Korea like anything else you might purchase at you-know-who-mart.Please, consider producing your higher echelon products in America. We need to be able to make things in here. Our children can't be the future if there's no place for them to work.So, point blank, its a BEAUTIFUL, lively, light rod, but golly it's expensive for a Korean-sourced product.