MANCHESTER, Vermont – For more than thirty years, the Orvis Company, Inc., has been recognizing excellence in providing world-class fly fishing and wingshooting experiences through its Endorsed Lodges, Outfitters and Guides program. The winners of these coveted awards were announced during the 2017 Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Missoula, Montana, on April 28.
Here are the winners for 2017:
2017 Freshwater Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year
Kip Vieth, based in Monticello, Minnesota
2017 Saltwater Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year
Capt. Lucas Bissett, based in Slidell, Louisiana
2017 Wingshooting Guide of the Year
Eric Harrison, based in Boerne, Texas
2017 Fly-Fishing Lodge of the Year
Big Hole Lodge in Wise River, Montana
2017 Wingshooting Lodge of the Year
Southwind Plantation in Attapulgus, Georgia
2017 Outfitter of the Year
The Tackle Shop Outfitters of Ennis, Montana
2017 International Destination of the Year
El Pescador, Ambergris Caye, Belize
2017 Fly Shop of the Year
Beaverkill Angler, Roscoe, New York
2017 Breaking Barriers Awards
Jess Westbrook, The Mayfly Project
2017 Lifetime Achievement Award
Matt P. Libby, Libby Camps, Ashland, Maine
For more information, please visit Orvis.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2017
CONTACT:
Jessica Donahue, Nancy Marshall Communications
on behalf of The Orvis Company, Inc.
207-620-9075; jdonahue@marshallpr.com
Editor’s Note: For high-resolution photos, please click on the above images.
About the Orvis-Endorsed Awards
Over three decades ago, Orvis embarked on a mission to make planning a world-class flyfishing or wingshooting experience easier for our customers. We sought out the best operations and worked alongside them to perfect their systems, their facilities, and most importantly, the associated customer experience. The result was the Orvis-EndorsedProgram.
Each endorsed partner has its own character – and therein rests its strength – but all share the same high standards: exemplary service, outstanding fishing and wingshooting opportunities, respect for natural resources, and an experienced, professional staff.
Each year representatives from this remarkable network of outdoor leaders within the Orvis-endorsed family are recognized as the best of the best. At the root, these accolades represent the consolidated sentiments of the customer, as the feedback we receive about a customer experience is the ultimate arbiter of success.
This designation also speaks to an operation’s environmental commitment, stewardship of their associated natural resource, and partnership with Orvis in providing the finest flyfishing and wingshooting experience possible for the Orvis customer.
About Orvis
Founded in 1856, Orvis believes the most meaningful experiences are created by sharing the love of nature and being inspired by its endless possibilities. Orvis pioneered the mail order industry in the United States, operates more than 80 retail stores in the U.S and the U.K. and maintains a network of more than 400 dealers worldwide as a trusted source of discovery and adventure in the natural world. Orvis promises to open the door to extraordinary outdoor experiences and to protect nature by committing 5% of pretax profits each year to conservation efforts worldwide.
Learn more at www.orvis.com.