2017 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Matt P. Libby of Libby Camps, Ashland, Maine.
Photo courtesy Matt P. Libby
This will be the thirty-third year that the Orvis Company will recognize excellence in sporting experiences through its Endorsed Lodges, Outfitters, and Guides program. The winners of this year’s coveted awards will be announced at a ceremony during the 2018 Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Asheville, North Carolina, on April 14. Here are this year’s nominees, along with photos of last year’s winners:
2017 Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide of the Year: Kip Vieth–of Wildwood Float Trips in Monticello, Minnesota.
Photo courtesy Kip Vieth
2018 Freshwater Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year Nominees:
- Jenny Mayrell-Woodruff, based in Broken Bow, Oklahoma
- Jim Mitchell, based in Hamilton, Montana
- Ryan Furtak, based in Milford, Pennsylvania
2017 Endorsed Saltwater Fly Fishing Guide of the Year: Capt. Lucas Bissett of Low Tide Charters in Slidell, Louisiana.
Photo courtesy Capt. Lucas Bissett
2018 Saltwater Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year Nominees:
- Capt. Jason Sullivan, based in Everglades National Park, Florida
- Capt. Rene LeTourneau , based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
- Capt. Shafter Johnston , based in McClellanville, South Carolina
2017 Wingshooting Guide of the Year: Eric Harrison of Joshua Creek Ranch in Boerne, Texas.
Photo courtesy Joshua Creek Ranch
2018 Wingshooting Guide of the Year Nominees:
- Joseph Zinsmeyer, of Joshua Creek Ranch in Boerne, Texas
- Mark Nissen, of Classic Bird Hunts in Cable, Wisconsin
- Rich Coe, of Flying B Ranch in Kamiah, Idaho
2017 Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge of the Year: Big Hole Lodge in Wise River, Montana.
Photo courtesy Big Hole Lodge
2018 Fly-Fishing Lodge of the Year Nominees:
- The Boat Company, in Southeast Alaska
- Brush Creek Ranch, in Saratoga, Wyoming
- Hawk Lake Lodge, in Kenora, Ontario
- Wollaston Lake Lodge, in northern Saskatchewan
2017 Endorsed Wingshooting Lodge of the Year: Southwind Plantation in Attapulgis, Georgia.
Photo courtesy Southwind Plantation
2018 Wingshooting Lodge of the Year Nominees:
- Highland Hills Ranch, in Condon, Oregon
- Joshua Creek Ranch, in Boerne, Texas
- Libby Sporting Camps, in Ashland, Maine
2017 Endorsed Outfitter of the Year: The Tackle Shop Outfitters in Ennis, Montana.
Photo courtesy The Tackle Shop
2018 Outfitter of the Year Nominees:
- Rouse Fly Fishing, of Heber Springs, Arkansas
- Dave Brown Outfitters, of Fernie, British Columbia
- Wild Waters Fly Fishing, of Mt. Shasta, California
2017 International Destination of the Year: El Pescador Lodge, on Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Photo courtesy El Pescador
2018 International Destination of the Year Nominees:
- El Pescador, Ambergris Caye, Belize
- Los Ombues, Entre Rios, Argentina
- Salvelinus Fishing Adventures, Pyrenees, Spain
2017 Fly Shop of the Year: The Beaverkill Angler in Roscoe, New York.
Photo courtesy The Beaverkill Angler
2018 Fly Shop of the Year Nominees:
- Angler’s Covey, in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- International Angler, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Unicoi Outfitters, in Helen, Georgia
What an honor for my hometown fly shop Angler’s Covey! Way to go guys! Pulling for you to take the win!
Ryan is the man! Not only does he spot fish better than an Eagle he gets a sick joy out of you untangling 6X tippet messes. Great dude, better fisherman.
choose Los Ombues!
Congratulations to all the nominees on this amazing accomplishment! But I would like to highlight the efforts of one particular member of this esteemed group. Ryan Furtak’s knowledge of fly fishing and the East & West branches and Main Stem of the Delaware River are only surpassed by his patience and willingness to teach and assist his clients. Ryan is a laid-back and fun guy to spend a day on the water with and he WILL find you fish. I’m looking forward to our next trip out and I really can’t imagine a more worthy person for the honor of the Orvis Freshwater Fly Fishing Guide of the year!
Congratulations to all the nominees, it’s a big honor to get for your hard work. I hope to visit with you all. However, go Jim Mitchell!
A float with Ryan Furtak is a beautiful thing. It’s like reading every volume of Encyclopedia Britannica for the Upper Delaware System while laughing your ass off and casting your brains out to some of the pickiest fish on the planet.
He has the ability to pick apart stressful situations, like difficult presentations to pressured fish, and turn them into a learning experience that sometimes teaches you more about life and your personal capabilities than you were ever expecting when the alarm went off at 5am.
As the trip comes to an end, and there are no more fish, no more casts, and the emptiness of the take out is looming, the knowledge gained on rivers, fish, fly fishing, conservation and life in general is intrinsic and superlative, leaving you in a state of perfect meditation.
Glad to see your name on this list Ryan. You deserve it.
Ryan is simply one of the most naturally fishy people I’ve ever known. Add the former to his mellow demeanor and charm and you’ve got one hell of fishing guide. And you know that when the slab trout he consistently puts you on are an afterthought to yet another stellar day on one of the nations most technical fisheries.
Congratulations to all the nominees! Ryan Furtak is one of the best on the Upper D. One of my favorite nights last season was rowing down river after dark next to Ryan and his clients. Sharing stories from the day and a few great beers is a perfect end to a float. Our sport isn’t just about the fish. It’s also about the community we create and the places we work to protect. Ryan is one of the best in both aspects.
I love fishing with Ryan on the Delaware. He show great respect for women who fish. A lot laughter and fun. But more importantly he has incredible knowledge of the river.
We have hooked a lot of pigs on my favorite river with my favorite guide.
Ryan is a great guy on and off the water. Knowledgeable, friendly, engaging along with a cool and calming guiding approach. Highly recommended guide for a novice fly fishermen to the most seasoned! Thanks Ryan!
Congratulations to all of the 2018 nominees, especially Ryan Furtak. I have the privilege of knowing Ryan, have had the opportunity to fish with him, and have had some great conversations about the Upper Delaware. Ryan’s knowledge of the sport, his patience, dedication, and his ability and desire to teach to all levels makes him one of the top sought out guides.