The Orvis Company
America’s Oldest Catalog Company Manchester, Vermont
Founded by Charlies Orvis when he opened a tackle shop in Manchester, Vermont in 1856, the Orvis mail-order company has continued to be family-owned and specializes in high-quality hunting, outdoor sport, and fly fishing gear. Ovis is one of Vermont’s top-performing corporations and has only had five CEOs in its entire history. Ask us about Orvis, Manchester Vermont, share Vermont comments or feature your Vermont business, contact us.
Vermont Stores: Orvis Company Manchester, VT
The nation’s oldest mail-order company was founded right here in Vermont! The Orvis Company began offering fishing products via the U.S. Mail back in 1856. A Vermont product pioneer, Charles Orvis, the fourth of seven children, was born in Manchester, Vermont in 1831. Charles developed an uncommon practical inventiveness along with unusual business acumen. By his twentieth birthday, he was a skilled machinist and had mastered the basics of mechanical engineering. Charles also developed a passion for outdoor sports, especially hunting and fishing. Before long Charles began building fly fishing rods for himself and his friends.
Vermont Tourism – Destination Manchester VT
Both Charles and his brother Franklin Orvis became involved in Vermont’s tourist trade. In 1853, Franklin opened the hotel that later became the famous Equinox House, and in 1861 Charles built the Orvis Hotel, also in Manchester. Throughout their lives both promoted the resort business which would be so important to Charles’ interests in the marketing of his fishing tackle products.
As Vermont tourism grew, Charles was able to turn his fly fishing rod building hobby into a viable Vermont product business. In 1856, he formed the C. F. Orvis Company. The company’s first sales room was located in a small stone building next to his brother’s Equinox Hotel.
The Orvis family prospered as the railway brought ever-increasing numbers of tourists from New York and elsewhere to Manchester. These customers were the best advertisement possible for Charles’ new fishing tackle company. His well made fly fishing rods and flies attracted a growing number of affluent sportsmen and generated repeat orders by mail. Thus, the country’s first mail order catalog was established.
By 1861 the U.S. was beginning the Civil War, and the Orvis Company had already firmly established itself as a manufacturer of quality solid wood fly fishing rods.Orvis was also becoming noted for its wide selection of flies, and had the company’s mail order business expanding.
The Civil War temporarily halted growth, but by the 1870s the company’s prospects had improved. Taking advantage of a growing network of railroads, sportsmen were now flocking to Vermont’s lakes and streams. Increased orders for fishing tackle prompted Charles to relocate his business in the now-historic white frame building on Union Street in Manchester, across the square from his very first location. With characteristic thoroughness and caution, Charles Orvis began exploring ways in which he could improve both his business and his products.
Today, the Orvis company operates retail stores worldwide and sells products online via the company website.
A visit to the Orvis store near Mt. Equinox in Manchester Center, Vermont is a wonderful vacation idea and yet another great reason for traveling to south-western Vermont.
Orvis is not just fishing anymore, they offer women’s and men’s apparel, fishing equipment, travel and hunting equipment to name a few. Orvis has been providing quality equipment and apparel since 1856. Find the quality products for the home and outdoors at Orvis.
Made In VT Orvis Fishing Rods Apparel & Outerwear – Fly Fishing Equipment
- 100% RECYCLED ECO CORDURA fishing bag made with specially engineered recycled polyester yarns with TPU coating for added durability
- TIPPET WHIPPET RECESSED TIPPET HOLDER docking station with tippet bar for easy standing knot tying
- 11-LITER STORAGE CAPACITY leaves no shortage of room for all the fishing gear you need out on the stream
- LARGE MAIN AND SMALLER DROP-DOWN zippered pockets with internal organizing features for all your flies and supplies
- FRONT STRAP DOCKING STATION gives easy access to tools like your fishing line cutter and fishing pliers without needing to shift the pack
- ZINGER/NIPPER PASS-THROUGH, easy swing handle, and water bottle holder are all designed to hold up to active use and keep your supplies dry and secure
- LEFT SHOULDER DESIGN keeps your casting arm free and makes stowing and retrieving from the pack easy while you fish, rendering your old fly fishing vest obsolete
- ORVIS IS DEDICATED to making high-quality fly fishing accessories for lovers of the outdoors, and the new Sling Pack (25FR) is chock-full of innovative new features to help you escape and find your groove out on the stream
- Enhanced thermal regulation keeps you cool and comfortable
- 50/50 blend of recycled polyester and polyester
- MarinoWul+ is an incredibly soft, moisture-wicking, breathable, temperature-regulating fiber made from recycled plastic bottles and reclaimed oyster shells
- 5-7 plastic bottles are recycled for each shirt
- Improved stretch and mobility while being durable enough to move through any adventure
- FULL CLEARWATER FLY ROD AND REEL COMBO includes Clearwater Large Arbor fly reel, Clearwater fly line, backing, leader, and rod/reel case
- BLACK CHROME BLANKS with white accents and quick rod identifier
- CHROME SNAKE AND STRIPPING GUIDE with a ceramic insert
- BEEFED UP FULL BLACK NICKEL ALUMINUM REEL SEATS to handle a variety of fishing grounds and big fish with fight
- READY-TO-FISH PACKAGES built around 5-WT 8-foot 6-inch, 5-WT 9-foot, 6-WT 9-foot rods with Size II Clearwater Large Arbor reels; and 8-WT 9-foot rod with Size IV Clearwater Large Arbor reel
- ORVIS IS DEDICATED to high-quality long-lasting fly fishing accessories and gear to help you embrace the outdoors, and this impressive Clearwater Fly Rod outfit (3ASN) has the reach and power you need for bigger waters
- Endless comfort
- Supreme luxe softness
- Classic jogger style
- 100% RECYCLED ECO CORDURA mini backpack made with specially engineered recycled polyester yarns with a TPU coating for added durability
- 5-LITER MAIN BODY STORAGE CAPACITY fishing backpack with rod holder and internal organizer features for all your tackle, flies, and tippet
- SMALLER ZIPPERED POCKET with extra easy access and its own internal organizing features
- LEFT SHOULDER CROSSBODY DESIGN frees up your casting arm and shoulder and makes stowing and retrieving from the tackle bag easy while you fish
- FRONT STRAP TACTICAL DOCKING STATIONS allow you to easily retrieve small items in a flash without a lot of fumbling around
- ZINGER/NIPPER PASS-THROUGH, easy swing handle, and water bottle holder all designed to hold up during active wear and keep your supplies dry and secure
- Free U.S. Shipping
- WATER-RESISTANT, BREATHABLE quilted microfiber car seat covers for dogs protect your back seats and floors from fur, dirt, sand, and slobber
- DURABLE QUILTING helps your dog stay comfortable on long trips and resists your their scratching and digging
- MESH PANEL WINDOW allows for better air flow and gives your pup a better view
- GRIP-TIGHT BACKING holds the hammock securely in place and features slits for threading seat belts through
- EASY TO INSTALL hammock back seat cover for dogs quickly and simply hooks to the front and rear headrests
- ORVIS IS DEDICATED to high-quality tools and apparel with the outdoor lifestyle in mind, and that doesn’t exclude your four-legged friends. You can depend on Orvis’s durable dog accessories like the Grip-Tight windowed dog car hammock (20H1) to keep your car clean and your pup comfortable on your adventures together
- Free U.S. Shipping
- Structured cap with mesh back
- Adjustable snap back
- Polyester
- One size fits most
- Water camo drirelease
- Long-sleeved crew neck T-shirt
- Superior moisture management performance
- UPDATED, VALUE-PRICED, FULL FEATURE MENS WADERS boast full toes-to-chest waterproof protection with a breathable nylon shell over polyurethane membrane over nylon tricot liner
- UPDATED ANATOMICAL NEOPRENE BOOTIES with integrated neoprene gravel guards to reduce collection and drag
- EXTERNAL ZIP STORAGE POCKET with stretch panel holds your phone and valuables safe and dry, easy to reach at the chest
- KANGAROO-STYLE HANDWARMER POCKET keeps you comfortable on cold mornings headed out to your favorite fishing spot
- WADING BELT with opposing side-release buckles give these chest waders easy waist-high conversion on warm days
- MODERN FIT designed specifically for a man’s body eliminates traditional wader bulk
- ORVIS IS DEDICATED to high-quality, comfortable clothing and fly fishing accessories to help you embrace the outdoors, and these Clearwater Men’s Waders (2TZX) are the perfect waterproof yet breathable waders for your next fly fishing adventure
- Versatile quick-dry stretch shorts
- UPF 50 rating
- Gusseted crotch and elasticized waist
- Two zippered mesh-lined back pockets
- One lower leg pocket
- Soft fleece lined
- High rise
- Fitted silhouette
- Machine washable
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