Andy's 35 Years with Orvis
A fly rod collects stories – the first fish, a memorable trip with friends and the inevitable “one more cast” we’re all guilty of.
For 35 years, Andy has been helping Orvis anglers keep those stories going. As Orvis UK’s Repair Specialist, he’s worked on everything from well-loved older rods to the latest models, restoring rods and reels and, wherever possible, putting them back in the hands of the people who know them best.
On the 29th of May, Andy celebrated 35 years with Orvis. We caught up with him to look back at how rod repair has changed, why some pieces of fishing gear are worth keeping, and what has kept him enjoying the job for three and a half decades.
How did you first come to join Orvis, and did you ever imagine you'd still be here 35 years later?
Two buddies of mine were already working for Orvis, and the company needed seasonal help. I had an interview with the lovely John Russell, and after he’d established that I wasn’t colour blind (meaning would I pick the right colour jumper) he took me on and I never really looked back. I certainly didn’t plan to be with Orvis even for 10 years, but at the age of 27 I’d already had quite a varied experience in employment.
Over those 35 years, what has changed the most in rod repair, and what has stayed the same?
When I first started, it was simply a case of practical work and record keeping. The new generation of rods where you can buy a section off the shelf for your rod is a game changer as far as rod repairs is concerned. Prior to that, ferrule dimensions varied, so literally every rod was different to a smaller or greater extent.
Customers will never change, they always like to keep you on your toes and fundamentally fishing rods haven’t changed, nor the thrill of fly-fishing.
Designed for longevity: Our 25-year warranty
Eligible Orvis rods can be repaired for up to 25 years, with replacement being the last resort. This reflects our long-term commitment to product longevity, helping to keep durable, high-quality rods in use for longer.
What does it mean to you to help keep someone's favourite rod on the water for another season or generation?
I find it a challenge to restore a customer’s reel or rod to working order, replacement is always the last option. There aren’t many reels that the combined resources of the UK and the USA can’t repair.
Structurally rods are different so if there’s a broken section that we can’t replace from the UK, if it’s still in production in the USA then we can have a section built there.
Have you noticed people becoming more interested in repairing products rather than replacing them?
We live in a more divided and throw away society than ever. When I was growing up even bank managers weren’t averse to repairing the family car by the side of the road on a trip abroad. These days the bank manager will probably have several cars, one of which might be an old classic which he likes to tinker with in the evenings.
The older budget model of reel and rod do crop up for repair not infrequently, so most people want to continue with something that’s familiar and well loved. I’m happiest when I can repair something rather than consign it to the rubbish bin.
What does a typical day look like to you?
The inevitable cup of tea and a check in with Seamus are always the priority. Then I start with admin, adding the previous day’s customers to our repair app, that also gives me a preview of the trickier repairs in the pipeline.
If there’s a lot of work on in the warehouse then I’ll chip in with that, then I have a master list of repairs to work on, so I tackle repairs sequentially and as comprehensively as I can first off, then ordering spares or making time for the occasional more time-consuming job.
What has been the biggest change in rod technology?
Modern carbon fibre construction transformed both strength and weight of fly rods. The development of these materials has changed what is possible when it comes to rod design, alongside the introduction of replacement sections for newer rods.
What is your favourite part of the job?
When everyone is in good humour!
Thirty-five years is a long time to spend fixing rods. But for Andy, the satisfaction seems to come from something that hasn’t changed at all: taking something that’s broken and getting it working again.
Whether it’s an old favourite or a newer rod with plenty of fishing still ahead of it, repair is about keeping good gear in use for longer and helping anglers get back to what matters.
And after 35 years, Andy’s still at it. And we’re very glad he is.
