The WORST Fly Fishing Products 

For anyone not already on Special, you don't know what your missing. Ben absolutely goes ham way beyond this. Get on it people !

I call BS on your dumping on Moonshine - got one and it flat out fishes - Old timer here - catching fresh and salt since way before you were an unformed embryo son. I have custom rods too, and this Moonshine stands up - Tippet rings make sense, and I am far from a fly snob - I fish what works - you need to get a clue.

"For $150 you can buy four game changers". That's pure comedy gold.

I like using tippet rings. In case the tippet is gone I just add new tippet to the ring. Done. That allows me to fish the leader way longer than tying knots over and over again. This process will shorten your leader pretty fast and you have to use a new one. Tippet ring all the time for me!

Tippet rings are actually pretty legit when it comes to saving your leader and using less tippet overall (environment). Been using the same butt section of leader for coho all season and only replacing my tippet after the ring...

One more product to add to your list: "Beer cozy". If your beer is getting too warm you either brought too many or aren't drinking them fast enough! PS. Disagree on tippet rings. Cut the tippet section off of a new leader, tie in a tippet ring, reattach the tippet. Eliminates the need to add transitions at the butt.

Disagree on tippett rings. On my 6 wt salt water makes it very easy to use different tippett depending on species targeted. I can use the same leader years. Also when I fish for Lings with super high bottom snag potential gives a controlled place for tippett to break off.

It’s not my job to defend Moonshine, but I get a kick out of it when people who throw down $200 on a rod and then get all bent out of shape because it doesn’t perform like a Helios 3. I’m not sure it was necessary to single out these guys when there are several manufacturers offering a similar product targeting the “affordable” rod market. Might I suggest a “showdown” episode, where you compare a lineup of $200 rods? I agree the build quality could be improved. I learned early to tape the ferrules on my 7wt Drifter. As for the feel and balance, or whatever, I also noticed some tweaking was needed, so I emailed the manufacturer. They were quick to respond and suggested I go up a line weight, which helped. To give the bigger line some room on the spool I went up a reel size as well. I found these two things combined greatly improved my casting distance and overall enjoyment of this rod. It might be that I have yet to fight the class of fish that warrants it, but I’ve caught several weighty trout on that rod, and I don’t feel the fighting butt is necessary.

Tippet rings do come in handy with euro nymphing, unless you like changing your sighter all the time. Stay huge.

Honestly, tippet rings are pretty under rated. I usually take Ben's advice as scripture, but that's one thing I'm going to ignore. Tippet rings are convenient for nymphing and saving expensive fluorocarbon leaders.

I agreed with a lot of these… except the tippet rings. Those are for people who actually fish in cold weather and don’t want to spend even more time tying knots on the river bank and losing fingers 😎 I got a moonshine drifter for free… I actually like it, but again, it’s just a basic 9ft 5wt. How can you really mess that up?

I use fly clips for pike leaders, and just to point out that using tippet rings require you to tie 2 knots ; )

Tippet rings save leaders. I can get a whole season out of a leader and I fish 2 times a week

I like Tippet rings--Safety pins them to your vest--Like being in the Army--You want three stripes up-Three stripes down and a Diamond in the middle--Not bad to be a first Sargent. So Tippet rings work. At ease.

I love the smell of truth in the morning..

Add lead core line to your spool NOT quarters on the rod to balance it out. It works like a charm and is super easy.

I absolutely loved this thanks for doing this one

Yeah, agree with all but tippet rings - Iike them for protecting the "permanent section" of my leader in my euro rigs. It's a minor thing, but I it makes sense (to me).

Holy crap that was epic! Laughed my butt off first thing Monday morning! Sent the link to all my friends…

I love my Moonshine Epiphany 3 wt. I was skeptical about euro nymphing and whether to buy a dedicated rod. A very nice guy I met on the water let me try out his rod and gave me a few pointers on setting up a euro nymph rig and fishing it. I caught 3 fish within 40 minutes. I was hooked.. He recommended I look at the Moonshine. I've never paid more than $300 for a fly rod. 2 1/2 years ago, Moonshine put the rod on sale for $179 and free shipping. The cork handle and reel seat quality are equal to my TFO and Echo rods. I put a larger reel on the lock down seat and added 1 1/4 oz of lead tape to get it to balance correctly. I also use a tippet ring between the sighter and the tippet.

Hi , I just saw my first video from you and you are hilarious!!! I’m just starting to learn how to fly fish and I can’t wait to catch my first trout. I subscribed to your channel and I’m getting all notifications. Keep up the great videos and thanks for being real.

Use me as the “I like tippet rings” button

Damn i fell for moonshine but I got the 7' 3wt. I like that rod though

Hey man. Like your videos. As a retired engineer and outdoorsman, I'm back into fly fishing after a long hiatus. I use twist locks and tippet rings, not because I don't know how to tie a knot, but because my fumbly fingers and less than perfect vision make it difficult to tie knots while waist deep in a current. I'm doing everything I can just to stay upright. Aging is a bitch, and she's coming for all of us. Keep the vids coming. Best, Merchant Mariner.

I bought two Moonshine river epiphany rods 3wt and 2wt. One for me and one for my son. I still had money left over for reels, backing, fly line, leader, sighter, TIPPET RINGS, Tippet, materials to tie flies, and money for gas to get to the river. My first time with my 2wt I caught 2 fish both over 20" on flies I tied with the money I saved. I did grow up fishing for trout tight-lining with a cane pole. Listing it as the worst is just misleading. Few have a grand to spend on an ESN to go fishing. Get what you can afford and get out there and fish. Maybe it comes down to the quality of fisherman.

Love it! Tell it like it is, Huge.

I'm with you on doo doo rods but I'll die defending that tippet ring hill.

Have to admit, I occasionally use quick clips when pond fishing. Targeting multiple species on ponds around me requires multiple fly swaps and it gets annoying tying on new tippet every time going out. Stricly for dicking around on ponds though - would never use on a river.

No Ben, you stay Huge! This was gold!

I've always thought those fly tester things were strange. I use a large clear bowl... Lol.

I have fished with Sage, Fenwick and Redington fly rods. My favorite is my Moonshine 10 ft 5 wt drifter. Very light, sensitive, well balanced and beautiful fly rod.

You are getting people to think about their gear more critically and that's GOOD!!!

Hahaha! "stabbing" was hilarious!

I bought a 8'6" Moonshine rod a few months ago, and I love it!

Ben, you fish Moonshine and Wade rods. I thought you were sponsored by them?

As usual you did not disappoint

I think tippet rings can be very efficient with monofilament leaders in euro nymphing.

Happy Huge day everyone!

I like how you're throwing shit while also prominently displaying your merch logo the entire time and in three different places. Well played.

Great video. Agree on everything, especially the tippet rings and connectors.

Agree with everything except tippet ring. I don't use them and they're not necessary since it stops you from cutting your tapered leader whenever you change your tippet

I agree with some of your ranting, even with Moonshine's overly aggressive marketing...That alone will probably keep me from ever buying another. But I took a chance on a Drifter 5wt about 5 or 6 years ago as a backup to the Winston Nimbus I had been using. I've been fly fishing about 25 years. For some stretches averaging 75-100 days a year, so trust me when say I used to hit it hard and go through gear. Over the years, I've owned the top 9ft 5wt models of Winston, Hardy, Sage, Orvis, Redington, Loomis, and others, as well many medium and budget priced rods. When a major health and economic disaster fell on me, I couldn't fish for a couple of years and sold all of my gear. When I started to recover and got back to fishing, the best rod I could afford was the Nimbus...I used it for a full season, then I bought the Moonshine because it was only 200.00. Whenever I bring a guest with me I offer them the best rod I have, which was the Winston at the time. The funny thing is when I started using the Moonshine regularly, I began to like it more than the Winston. So did one of my regular fishing buddies when he had first pick. He had been using a modest but decent Winston Vaper for about 10 years but started asking to use the Moonshine. Eventually, I sold the Winston and bought a second Drifter. Before all this started I had never heard of Moonshine. The problem I have is both my friend and I have many years with rods in our hands, and although I am not remotely suggesting that Moonshine rods are top notch, I can't reconcile the good experience we've had using them with the hate. Someone else said it..."There's a lot of other 200.00 rod makers that are more worthy of the hate. Everyone on RU-vid is an expert...Thank God through the internet we have access to their opinions to set us straight...lol.

Looks like you got outvoted on the tippet rings and I gotta say I love tippet rings too! Waaaaay better than a surgeon's knot.

Good one! I use a few of the 💩 items 😂, (loops and rings on 3-4wt Sometimes), but haven’t had a problem or wouldn’t. I couldn’t believe they even make a stomach pump..WTF! Fish your flies with confidence! I really enjoy your comments and insight above most all other channels combined. Thanks for the laughs..and honesty! Its the Huge thing to do! Have a great and Huge week Ben! 👍👌🎣

Been thinking that about the fly tester since it came out. I bought a cool old bicycle to ride down to the local creek. I can even catch a fish in that fly tester

This is incredible !!! 🤣🤘🏻

Regardless of whether I agree with all of your product choices, it’s hard not to chuckle when watching. Thanks for a good laugh over breakfast.

man I like your videos just for the simple fact I feel like we could hangout all day and it'd be a blast.

I use fly clips for streamers only because I like to change sizes and colors often. They help in that regard, otherwise I agree. Can’t imagine using them for dries or nymphs.

Im using those clips for seatrout on the Danish coastline when we hit freezing temperatures. No way my freezing numb fingers can tie knots.

I got the 3wt 7’6” fly rod from moonshine and I couldn’t be happier with it. Not an advocate. But I do like it.

the braided loops is so true! I lost what looked like a 24"+ Brown on a float trip because mine popped off.

I am triggered on the tippet rings!! Respectfully have to disagree. They do save weights from coming off when the tippet snaps. Saves allot of money if using tin weights. Things are not cheap!

I used those mesh "add" a loop to your fly line things. Rigged up half my fly poles, lost two leaders and a fish

I never leave comments on RU-vid but this was absolute gold!! Completely agree with everything!!

I have owned all models of moonshine rods and the 5wt vesper is a pretty nice rod for the price, I actually liked it more than my Orvis Recon 5wt. The vesper felt like a higher end rod imho

Lol. Your stock fly fisherman photo is one of the local guides in my area. Dude is a legend 🤙🤙

Disagree on Moonshine. Is it a $1K Sage, no, but they're not trying to be. I have a 7'6" 3wt Drifter that I prefer over my other cheap brands that most RU-vidrs would also scoff at. This rod was my 4th 3wt rod, since I usually have 3 kids in tow fishing with me, and I like it a whole lot more than a TFO, white river, and some unknown glass rod I've had since the 80's. Plus they're the only company that I know of that offers a discount to veterans, LEO, and first responders, so they're my kind of company. I also have no clue who they "sponsor" since I don't follow those things, and I really cannot comment on any Euro rod since I've never fished one, and don't really plan to, just not my style..... So I guess it's all about what you're in too. I am not the dude that likes to flex on gear, I'd rather flex on my bank account and squeeze in another couple trips to the water.

best vid yet!

I like the twist clips actually for streamers in dirty water. Allows you to change out quickly until you find what is working. Haven't tried them in clear water yet though and I do wonder if they will put fish off. The regular fly clips though definitely seem like a joke. The only reason to use them is if you have issues tying knots imo.

Regarding tippet clips, I have a friend who has quit fly fishing because arthritis in his hands prevents him from tying knots. He's a life long fly fisherman, but simply cannot tie knots any longer. Any suggestions?

I disagree at least with my experience with Moonshine Rods. I have a Drifter 6WT and it fishes very well. Even the guy at my local Orvis store likes them. I’m not saying they’re better or worse than certain rods just that for me, it works very well. They may not work well for everyone.

Happy to call myself a Huge Fly Fisher but my friends and I have used braided loops our entire fishing lives and never lost one. This includes salmon up to 30lb. If you fix the. Right they’ll never come off and can slip through rod rings easier than a nail knot.

Im convinced people that hate moonshine rods don't actually fish with them. Moonshine does a lot of charity work, that worth a donation to their cause in my book. But they're not a big company so I don't guess that matters.

Looking forward to hearing about 'decked' this June.

Almost wanted to say something but figured It’s best to keep quiet about my secrets. Great video!

I use tippet rings all the time nymphing. Attach it where the butt section of your leader slims to the tipper section and tie it on there. When I snag up on rocks that I can't get to and have to break off it always breaks either at the fly or at the tippet ring. Your line getting frayed from rubbing rocks? Cut off the tippet at the ring and get a fresh stretch of tipper. Just tie on a new section of tippet from the ring and back in the game. Saves a lot on buying leaders. Don't know where he gets it's for people who don't know how to tie knots, I still tie a lot of knots. The stomach pump for fish--I totally agree with, horrible idea.

Best product review ever👏👍

I think that was it maybe, 14, when I decided that simple was best. I became very good at tying knots. Fast forward, I’m now 75. I’m not so good at tying knots. Between arthritis, and cataracts it is quite difficult. I’m trying to figure out if I can use a knot tier. Everything that you’ve mentioned I’ve looked at, (i’ve just taken a fly fishing, I need a challenge). I rejected those things they just seemed like extra hardware and on the necessary. I did try those Tippit things to connect your leader . The only way to make sure it stays on is the glue it. Something I’ll never buy again. I tie most of my knots at home with a magnifying light and my hands are warm. At this time I have three different weights, One for trout, And one for larger game fish. The third one, was an El cheapo just to see if I liked it. I saw possibilities, and I love it. I have an 8 1/2 foot and a 9 foot. At this time I do not buy them on my own, I just have to trust the sporting good store, I finding one that has a salesman that is a Fisherman himself. Eventually I’ll Learn and know enough to think for myself again when it comes to fly fishing gear.

🔥🔥🔥 Video

This is Fuc*:ng GOLD!

I fell into the tippet ring thing for a while. I went back to surgeons knots.

I think fly clips for nymphing can be a usable thing, they allow the fly to have more natural movement in the water as it tumbles across rocks.

Ah man… I bought a Moonshine fairly recently. It’s fine for what I got it for… but didn’t realize the issues there. -humorously they sent me the wrong part of the “extra tip” (aka the middle). Keep up the good work Ben even if we secretly like tippet rings 🤣

Do it, Ben, do it!

I love my Moonshine rod. have caught some great trout on it,

Question: Can you catch snook on a fly rod? Is it possible to keep them from gilling your your line?

I have used a braided loop just about forever!! I have never had one come off my fly line, they work great!!! If you are worried about them coming off use a drop of superglue!!

How do you feel about indicators?

Did you fish the moonshine vesper euro 3 wt.."? If not it might change what you think of them I don’t know maybe you have but for the price it is a very sensitive and Balanced rod...

Agree with everything except tippet rings. I euro nymph and every time I fish I have to retie tippet to my sighter and I would much rather tie a clinch Knot to a Tippett ring then tie a blood knot to my sighter line. Also I don’t end up losing any sighter material.

Me: “Oh back tf off my loop connector, I hate tying that knot every time I want to change leaders!” Ben: “Use an old leader as your loop.” Me: “…OH.”

Rrrr classic stuff 👍🏻

MORE PLEASE!

The fly bath made me laugh

I had never even heard of “fly clips” before this video.

Too true! Thanks!!!

"You don't need them and I think they're stupid". Definitely will be using that on my kids when they gotta have something, like a tippet ring.

bought a brand new moonshine rod today... i love it

Foam stick on strike indicators are a rip off. Go to the craft section at Walmart. They have packs of full size foam sheets in various colors with sticky backs for like $2. Cut to whatever sizes you want. Enough to last a lifetime. Plus I feel like they work better - last longer and stay in place better after moving.

Hey you got cat hair on your hoodie. I don't have a pet but lately I've been thinking about getting a lizard or maybe a crow.

I like my moonshine 6wt rig just fine. The branding on moonshine gear is beautiful imo and I haven’t had any issues with my rod or reel yet.

I own 2 moonshine rods and have a ORVIS h3f and I would say moonshine rods work just fine They aren’t bad

Well at least this vid won’t be controversial…oh wait…

I got online grief from Lance Egan for calling him out for peddling stomach pumps. It was my only contribution to fly fishing.

My moonshine rod was absolutely Falling apart after 1 year cork was spinning the reel seat slid up guides are delaminating. It got the job done but I'd rather spend 10% more for a higher quality rod. Sage has been an amazing upgrade

I love tippet rings because they save my leader and I don't have to change it so often.

It really does suck to see your fly line just loose the grip of your backing and sink away with the stream..

There are so many knot-avoidance products out there. Unbelievable how they can sell any of that garbage. Stay Huge!

Beautiful!