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

Orvis Fly Fishing Sling Pack - Easy Reach Single Strap Fishing Backpack with Durable Docks for Fly Fishing Accessories, Sand

• 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
• COMMON SEARCH TERMS: fishing backpack, fishing gear and equipment, fanny pack for men, belt bag, sling bag for men, hiking backpacks, fishing gifts for men, small backpack, tool backpack, hiking gear, sling backpack men, fly fishing accessories, tactical sling bag, sports backpack, fishing tackle bag, backpack organizer, fishing stuff, mens sling bag, fishing equipment, tactical fanny pack, lightweight backpack, tactical sling bag for men, fishing tackle backpack, fly fishing gear

$119.00

On Sale

Southern Vermont