at the Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Asheville, North Carolina.
This will be the thirty-fourth 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 2019 Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Missoula, Montana, on April 26. Here are this year’s nominees, along with photos of last year’s winners:
Jenny Mayrell-Woodruff—Fly Fish Beavers Bend, Broken Bow, Oklahoma
2019 Freshwater Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year Nominees:
- Josh Pfeiffer, based in Maryville, Tennessee
- Rob Fightmaster, based in Alcoa, Tennessee
- Chip Swanson, based in Breckenridge, Colorado
Capt. Jason Sullivan—Rising Tide Charters, Everglades National Park, Florida
2019 Saltwater Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year Nominees:
- Capt. Rene Letourneau, based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
- Capt. Cesar Acosta, based in San Pedro, Belize
- Capt. Duane Baker, based in Tavernier, Florida
Mark Nissen, Classic Bird Hunts, Glendale, Wisconsin
2019 Wingshooting Guide of the Year Nominees:
- Ryan O’Shaughnessy, based in Alpine, Texas
- Chad Hoover, based in Whitehall, Montana
- Agustin Bustos, based in Entre Rios, Argetina
Wollaston Lake Lodge , Saskatchewan, Canada
2019 Fly-Fishing Lodge of the Year Nominees:
- Healing Waters Lodge, in Twin Bridges, Montana
- Crystal Creek Lodge, in King Salmon, Alaska
- Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge, on the Kvichak River, Alaska
Joshua Creek Ranch, Boerne, Texas
2019 Wingshooting Lodge of the Year Nominees:
- Highland Hills Ranch, in The Dalles, Oregon
- Rio Piedra, in Camilla, Georgia
- Southwind Plantation, in Attapulgus, Georgia
Wild Waters Fly Fishing, Mt. Shasta, California
2019 Outfitter of the Year Nominees:
- Cross Currents Guide Service, in Starlight, Pennsylvania
- River Run Outfitters, in Branson, Missouri
- Breckenridge Outfitters, in Breckenridge, Colorado
Salvelinus, Spanish Pyrenees
2019 International Destination of the Year Nominees:
- El Pescador, on Ambergris Caye, Belize
- Hawk Lake Lodge, in Kenora, Ontario
- Los Chanares, in Cordoba, Argentina
Unicoi Outfitters , Helen, Georgia
2019 Fly Shop of the Year Nominees:
- Angler’s Covey, in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Bay Street Outfitters, in Beaufort, South Carolina
- TCO Fly Shop, in multiple locations, Pennsylvania
TCO Fly Shop has been great for helping my son with gearing up for fly fishing in the State College Area. They give great advice on the best gear and the best places to fish in relation to the current water conditions. They have been supportive of him as he worked towards getting on the US Youth National Fly Fishing Team.
Good Luck TCO Fly Shop!!
I’ve been in fly shops all over the country and Anglers Covey is hands down one of the best. From their retail staff to the guides, these folks are true pros!
I first took their 101 class and they were paramount in my growth in fly fishing. You can tell everyone there is interested in helping inexperienced and expert anglers alike. This should be the mold for fly shops everywhere
Anglers Covey hands down has to be one of my favorite fly shops ever. Each year I make the journey from Texas to Colorado and make The Covey my first stop. Amazing selection and better yet, amazing staff. Each and every one of them take the time to discuss products, fishing and just small talk. The selection of fly tying material will blow tour mind. The owner David and Head of Operation Jon are amazing at taking the time to stop and get to know their customers. Overall, it’s the kind of place you just want to go to everytime.
Great job Anglers Covey, Breckenridge Outfitters, and my friend Chip Swanson for all your hard work and being nominated! Proud to work with you all.
As a traveling fly fishing journalist I’ve had the opportunity to visit fly shops around the country. It’s always a pleasure to visit Angler’s Covey when passing through Colorado Springs. The selection of gear, clothing and fly tying materials is as outstanding as any shop in the country. The staff is always helpful and courteous and often necessary when trying to locate a particular tying material in the massive tying section.
I find myself just wandering around the store trying to get a look at everything when I go in but there’s never enough time to see it all. Having fished with multiple guides from the shop I can honestly say they have some the absolute best in the country. They are helpful, patient and great instructors for the local techniques.
These guys know what they’re doing in the shop and what’s happening on all the local waters. Angler’s Covey is one of the must stop locations for any angler traveling through Colorado Springs.
Angler’s Covey was my introduction to Flyfishing about 7 years ago. I could not have asked for a better first impression. They are always welcoming, helpful, and promote responsible angling. The staff and management are top notch.
I made a stop at Anglers Covey many years ago on my way to Montana. I was looking for some specialty flys hoping they would have them,… and they did! It is a tremendous Fly Shop and even more than that they are a tremendous source of information about everything happening in Colorado. They have been coming to GRTU’s TroutFest for a number of years now and they have reinforced my original impression. They are a wealth of information and not shy about sharing it. They are well deserving of this award!
Jimbo Roberts
GRTU V P of Fisheries
Not sure what colored streamers and or articulated streamers to use at spinner reservoir when the I’d comes of fly fishing from the banks.a n y suggestions..that’s ice comes off
Rick,
At ice off, we like to focus on leech imitations mostly. Focus on green, black, or brown. A simple wooly bugger can be deadly there. Mix up your strip speeds until you find out what they like. Slump busters, mini dungeons, articulated leeches, Mayers mini leach, and even darker lunch money’s. Make sure you use some heavy terminal gear though, there are a ton of pike in there. Good luck! Jon/ Anglers Covey
Got to put a word in for River Run Outfitters in Branson. Stan the man had me on fish from almost the time the drift boat was in the water until the time we came out. Great in adjusting to meet my odd schedule. They have a full shop and great service. You won’t go wrong visiting this shop if you are in the area.
I was fortunate enough to visit Anglers Covey for the first time in September of 2018. The store is amazing. They’ve got it all and then some: tens of thousands of flies, books, gear, kayaks, line, leaders, accessories, and a staggering amount of fly tying materials. I was extremely impressed and I’ve been in fly shops from Vermont to Alaska. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and they’re willing to help out with anything…no question is too “newb”. They don’t try to upsell you as some places do; they want you to be happy with your experience and not break the bank.
After my visit, I was able to fish with 2 of their guides, Jon and Justin. Amazing fisherman, amazing people. Fun to fish with and damn, they knew the waters we fished. It couldn’t have been a better experience and we still keep up to this day. Just good people all around here! Can’t wait until the next trip to see the beautiful sights, hang with good folks, laugh and catch some amazing fish!
Anglers Covey is the pinnacle of what a fly shop should be. Good luck, y’all!
Go Healing Waters Lodge, Twin Bridges, Montana in the Fly Fishing Lodge category!
I found Healing Waters Lodge last year through the Orvis recommended lodges list and immediately on reading their website, knew that I’d found people who shared my philosophy about what fishing could and should be and mean.
Mike and Laura have created something special in Twin Bridges, Montana. They have captured the essence of what a real fisherman seeks. It’s not all about “stack ‘em high, sell them cheap” tourism and to hell with the niceties. Here you are a friend from the moment you arrive, amongst friends and invited to hit the pause button and remember what it’s like to forget your mobile phone and instead chat to folks and learn a little about them and their lives.
This is a boutique experience, where personal service and consideration is everything. All the staff share a genuine desire to feed you well, ensure your room is perfect and the Guides work tirelessly all day to help you find, hook and land some of the most beautiful fish on the planet….and in the most spectacular of settings.
I’m back again this year and being based in the UK, this means a long journey and not inconsiderable expense….is it worth it? Fur Healing Waters, you bet it is!
My son and I have fished with River Run Outfitters in Branson, MO a few times, Great guides, super willing to share knowledge and know-how, and they know the Taneycomo trophy section like the back of there hand. They always get folks on fish nymphing and/or swinging streamers. Highly recommend them!