MANCHESTER, Vt., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Orvis Company, the industry leader in fly-fishing gear and apparel, endorses fly-fishing guides and outfitters around the country that meet its strict standards in customer service and guiding skills. Each year, Orvis selects the finest of these guides and outfitters for special recognition and announces these awards at its annual Guide Rendezvous, held this year in Cody, Wyoming.
Winners of this year's awards are:
Tim Linehan of Troy, Montana
Guide Conservationist of the Year
Tim Linehan of Linehan Outfitters received this honor personally from Orvis CEO Perk Perkins and Orvis Vice Chairman David Perkins at a banquet the final night of the Orvis Company's Annual Guide Rendezvous in Cody, Wyoming. The honor was well-deserved and seemed to come as no surprise to those 200 fly-fishing guides and outfitters in attendance, who gave Mr. Linehan a hearty round of applause and a standing ovation. Among the many reasons for which Mr. Linehan received the award were his unflagging and passionate, yet humble leadership. His roles over the years have included Vice-Chairman of the Yaak Valley Forest Council, a small but powerful group whose mission helps protect tens of thousands of acres for the benefit of native trout in miles and miles of stream and high mountain lake habitat. He's acted as Co-founder of the Headwaters Restoration Partnership Project, which raise $250,000 dedicated to improving habitat for native species including wild redband rainbow trout and westslope cutthroat trout.
A member of the Lincoln County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), Mr. Linehan was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to represent environmental interests on the committee and help distribute tens of thousands of dollars in habitat, watershed and fish improvement projects. He also led in the effort to restore the Kootenai River flows out of Libby Dam and return the river back to its natural hydrograph for the benefit of native westslope cutts, bull trout and sturgeon.
Since 1993, he's owned and operated Linehan Outfitting Company and consistently provided quality personalized fly fishing adventure packages on the Kootenai and Clark Fork rivers in the far northwest corner of Montana.
Upon receiving the award, Mr. Linehan encouraged others in the room to take steps toward conservation, stating that "It takes a pebble to create an avalanche."
Doc Thompson of Ute Park, New Mexico
Guide of the Year
Doc Thompson of Doc Thompson's High Country Anglers (http://www.flyfishnewmexico.com/) was awarded the "2006 Orvis-Endorsed Guide of the Year." Doc has been stalking wild trout in Northern New Mexico's many gems for nearly two decades. In awarding Doc, David Perkins read a testimonial from one of Doc's clients: " He was amazing. My family and I can't stop talking about how great the experience was. A GUIDED FISHING TRIP OF A LIFETIME." Doc's patience and calm demeanor presents a comfortable atmosphere for guiding anglers new to the sport as well as teaching new tricks to old dogs who have been fly fishing for years. Doc is an accomplished writer, contributing articles, essays and photos to many national fly-fishing magazines. He's also an accomplished fly tyer, having been honored as the 2005 Orvis Fly Tyer of the Year.
River Run Outfitters of Branson, Missouri
Outfitter of the Year
River Run Outfitters was awarded the 2006 Orvis-Endorsed Outfitter of the Year. Owners Stan and Carolyn Parker were clearly moved by receiving the award and thanked all of their great guides and the staff "who make us what we are." Both Stan and Carolyn have fished the area lakes and rivers around Branson, Missouri for more than 30 years, including the Taneycomo, an outstanding trout fishery, with monster brown trout taken each fall. Enthusiastic, talented, and consummate professionals, they offer their clients the best of service and provide lessons for beginners to get a head start on the sport they love. They spoke of customer satisfaction being the most important thing they have to offer. The award shows they are offering it in spades.
Solitude River Trips of Merlin, Oregon
Expedition of the Year
Expedition-of-the-Year went to Solitude River Trips. Owners and operators Al and Jeana Bukowsky have a great love and appreciation for the Middle Fork in Idaho and it shows. They offer fishing trips down the river, and have a great desire to see its historical, environmental and biological uniqueness preserved. They adhere to conservation-oriented practices. Either Al or Jeana or both are on each and every trip and welcome the opportunity to spend six days with their guests, sharing the beauty of Middle Fork canyon. They perform in one of the wildest canyons the west has to offer. And they do so with a level of professionalism and keen focus on conservation that sets bar in this industry. Though safety comes first, ensuring everyone is having fun is close behind. Their clients agree, as was found out at the awards banquet, when the following testimonial was read: "Simply amazing. We came to find fishing and we found friends that will last a lifetime."
St. Simons Outfitters of St. Simons, Island, Georgia
Guide Service of the Year
St. Simons Outfitters on St. Simons Island in Georgia won the Guide Service-of-the-Year. In the ever-changing saltwater environment a guide who can find fish and knows the various techniques to fish for them is just the beginning. A guide who is safe, a naturalist, a great Captain, and a teacher are the hallmark of what makes a great Saltwater guide. Captain Larry Kennedy and his guides of St. Simons fit that bill perfectly. Captain Larry has been in the fly-fishing industry for over 30 years serving in all those capacities at the highest level. He has fished and toured Georgia's barrier islands since childhood. He and his personable and knowledgeable guides love to share what each has learned from their experience in one of the world's most pristine, majestic, and beautiful areas. St. Simons outfits and personally hosts fishing trips and wilderness journeys.
About Orvis
Founded in 1856, Orvis pioneered the mail order industry in the United States, operates a chain of retail stores in the U.S. and England including its Flagship store in Manchester, VT; and maintains a network of over 400 dealers worldwide. Orvis donates five percent of pre-tax profits each year to environmental programs. You can read more about Orvis on their website at http://www.orvis.com/.
The Orvis Company
