This will be the thirty-eighth year that the Orvis Company will recognize excellence in sporting experiences through its Endorsed Lodges, Outfitters, and Guides (ELOG) program. The winners of this year’s coveted awards will be announced at a ceremony during the 2023 Orvis Endorsed Partners Meeting in Manchester, Vermont next month. Here are this year’s nominees–listed in alphabetical order–along with photos of last year’s winners:
2023 Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year Nominees:
- Capt. Rene Letourneau, based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
- Matt Miles, based in Lynchburg, Virginia
- Ralph Yusavage, based in Saratoga Springs, New York
2023 Wingshooting Guide of the Year Nominees:
- Jon Hubble, based in Lometa, Texas
- Ian Privette, Flying B Ranch, Kamiah, Idaho
- Jase Sorenson, Pheasant Bonanza, in Tekamah, Nebraska
2023 Fly-Fishing Lodge of the Year Nominees:
- The Lodge at Glendorn, in Bradford, Pennsylvania
- North Fork Ranch, in Shawnee, Colorado
- The White River Inn, in Cotter Arkansas
2023 Wingshooting Lodge of the Year Nominees:
- Flint Oak, in Fall River, Kansas
- Flying B Ranch, in Kamiah, Idaho
- Prairie Wildlife, in West Point, Mississippi
2023 Fly-Fishing Outfitter of the Year Nominees:
- Front Range Anglers, in Boulder, Colorado
- Lopstick Outfitters, in Pittsburg, New Hampshire
- The Tackle Shop, in Ennis, Montana
Photo by Jess McGlothlin Media
2023 International Destination of the Year Nominees:
- Blue Horizon Lodge, in Placencia, Belize
- El Pescador Lodge, on Ambergris Caye, Belize
OMG! I am the mom of a nominee! So proud of him!!!
No women nominees? Surprising!
Front Range Anglers should definitely win outfitter. They were so helpful to my daughter and me when we went fly fishing while she went to UC Boulder. They are first rate and work hard to make sure you will have a great day on the water!
Orvis is anti women! Such a shame. They have a huge bias.
Orvis has always included women in their company as attested by the fly fishing classes for women, women in their teaching videos, catalogues with women clothing styles for fly fishing, hunting, and year round apparel, and they are the only company that makes women specific cut wadding gear. My wife loves going to the Orvis stores and shopping for fly fishing apparel, and she receives monthly women specific catalogues. The Orvis company has won over most of the women in my family with their women inclusive programs, apparel, and gear. At most of the Orvis endorsed lodges and outfitters, there are usually several Orvis trained women guides to assist women, including my wife, daughter, granddaughter, nieces, and friends. I am disappointed that you have not witnessed or experienced what you believe to be a welcoming into the Orvis family and recognition of the many women’s programs. Respectfully submitted.
One additional comment, of the ten corporate executives for the Orvis Company, five (5) are women. You can go to the corporate bios to review and read their contributions to the corporate leadership.
One additional comment, of the ten corporate executives for the Orvis Company, five (5) are women. You can go to the corporate bios to review and read their contributions to the corporate leadership.
Booked a hosted trip to Christmas Island through Front Range Anglers and have been a customers of theirs ever since. When I booked a non hosted trip to Mexico they called the lodge or emailed me everyday to make sure things were going OK. Although I live in Wisconsin I buy from Front Range Anglers in Boulder. They are very knowledgable and sell top of the line equipment. Hope they win as they deserve it.
Congrats Ralph, well deserved!
I live in Ellensburg, WA. and Ellensburg Anglers is great too!!!
Here’s a shoutout for John and his crew at The Tackle Shop for Outfitter of the Year. I have fished with four of his great guides over the years and we have celebrated the gems of the Madison as well as her moodiness. Lots of great memories, but the one that comes first to mind is my last cast with a streamer into a cold, fall headwind in sight of the takeout as his stellar guide, Maggie Mae dodged rock after rock. We hooked a giant Brown that ran straight upstream, well into my backing and the glint of the arbor on my reel was looking shockingly close at hand. A drift boat was not a jet boat so we couldn’t chase this fish, so we exchanged the look you hope to never have between a guide and an angler: you are getting spooled and you have to break him off. The loss of that fish was an extremely special memory with a new river friend. Maggie thanks for this great memory.
When are winners announced? How can I vote for Matt Miles?! Let’s go Matt!