Orvis Fly Rods: Made in America - The Orvis Rod Shop Story
Seven Trout Streams, 166 Years of Rodbuilding History, and Still Only Two Traffic Lights
We may hail from a small Vermont town, but in the Orvis Rod Shop, we've always been big thinkers beholden to a high bar: to build and fish the world's finest fly rods, right here at home. For over 16 decades and counting, that's exactly what our team of 60 rodsmiths has done. Welcome to our town, and where your rods are born.
From initial concept to engineering to prototype to testing, testing, and more testing, our fly rods pass through a myriad of skilled hands and are examined by scores of expert eyes before they ever make it to you.
The Faces Behind the Fly Rods
QUALITY LEAD
Sujata Almy
In her role as Quality Lead, Sujata is responsible for ensuring that every Helios™, Recon®, Mission, Superfine® Glass, and bamboo rod that leaves the shop is perfect. After 11 years, she remains passionate about ensuring that customers receive a rod that they are excited about and proud of. “To me, we make more than rods,” she says. “We make memories.”
PLANT MANAGER
Frank Hoard
A fourth-generation Manchester native, Frank grew up ¾ of a mile from the shop. Right after receiving his degree in Mechanical Engineering, nearly 20 years ago, he started rolling blanks as a summer job. He never left. Frank now serves a Plant Manager, Rod Designer, and a vital member of the R&D Team.
Orvis Rod Shop Facts
1880 – Orvis bamboo rod named “Best of Its Weight in the World” by leading outdoor writer Ned Buntline
1942 – Orvis joins the World War II effort, producing split bamboo ski poles for U.S. troops
1989 – Orvis fly rods are named “No. 1 Best-Made Product of the U.S.” by Tom Peters, author of In Search of Excellence
2018 – An enhanced manufacturing process allows Orvis to introduce interchangeable parts to decrease time for rod repairs
Orvis Rod Shop Facts
1880 – Orvis bamboo rod named “Best of Its Weight in the World” by leading outdoor writer Ned Buntline
1942 – Orvis joins the World War II effort, producing split bamboo ski poles for U.S. troops
1989 – Orvis fly rods are named “No. 1 Best-Made Product of the U.S.” by Tom Peters, author of In Search of Excellence
2018 – An enhanced manufacturing process allows Orvis to introduce interchangeable parts to decrease time for rod repairs
Building them to last a lifetime is the name of the game at the Orvis Rod Shop. Our master fly-rod builders attend to every detail to ensure that no fly rod leaves the Shop until it's ready. That focus and attention is just as critical whether it's a Helios 3 or one of our handcrafted Orvis Bamboo Fly Rods.
