2023 Orvis-Endorsed Finalists & Award Winners
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2023 Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Lodge of the Year
WINNER—North Fork Ranch, CO
“Had an incredible fishing trip at North Fork Ranch … the property was absolutely beautiful and the accommodations were top notch. Literally one of the best fishing days I’ve had with guide Justin Schlosser. Highly recommend!”
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2023 Orvis-Endorsed Wingshooting Lodge of the Year
WINNER—Flint Oak Ranch, KS
“Flint Oak is the best hunting lodge I have been to. This makes my fourth trip, and I would absolutely recommend a visit to both beginner and expert hunters alike. There are many things to do from field hunts, duck hunts, skeet, and shotgun games, to fishing. They also boast a world-class chef onsite who provides some amazing cuisine. Flint Oak is certainly a place to put on your bucket list.”
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2023 Orvis-Endorsed International Destination of the Year
WINNER—Blue Horizon Lodge, Belize
“Property is beautiful, guides are stellar, lodge staff is friendly and accommodating. Food is delicious. If anyone wants a chance to land the holy grail of saltwater fly fishing, this is the place!”
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2023 Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Outfitter of the Year
WINNER—Lopstick Outfitters, NH
“Lopstick Outfitters are top notch, always providing a first-class experience. They are customer focused, flexible, and knowledgeable. Drift or wade, the guiding is geared to your level of experience and objective. They know the waters, the options, and how to make your time on the water enjoyable. The fishing was great; the lunch amazing; the staff friendly and accommodating. Great memories of being on the water in the Great North Woods.”
FINALISTS:
2023 Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year
WINNER—Matt Miles, VA
“Matt gave me the option of driving a little longer for better fishing. I’m glad I took his advice. We caught a lot of nice fish with some nice big ones (up to 19”) mixed in. These were wild trout on public water, so he knows the spots and how to get them to bite. On top of that, he brought a generous lunch and met the time constraints I was under. It was great day and Matt will produce the experience you ask for.”
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2023 Orvis-Endorsed Wingshooting Guide of the Year
WINNER—Jon Hubble, TX
“What a fantastic experience! Every aspect from our arrival to the departure was first-class. Jon and his team have thought of everything and provide the best upland bird hunting experience I have ever had. The scenery was gorgeous, the dogs were fantastic, the birds were sporty, and the guides made the experience even more exceptional. The post-hunt stories back at the camp were especially memorable. Thank you to Jon and his team for having put in all the hard work to not miss any of the details. I am already planning my next hunt.”
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2023 Orvis Conservationist of the Year
Jimmy Bryan, Owner, Prairie Wildlife, MS
Over 86 years, Jimmy Bryan has watched land use practice in his native West Point, MS, change dramatically. “At one time we did nothing for quail,” Bryan says. “It was a natural habitat and the birds were here, and they co-existed with land practices.” Changes in agricultural approach and efficiency over the course of Mr. Jimmy’s adulthood, however, made for a rapid decline in wild quail populations. Jimmy’s love for wild birds, dogs, and the outdoors impelled him to take action: with the help of Mississippi State University, Mr. Jimmy set about auditing farming practices across his 5,000 acres at Prairie Wildlife, re-establishing native Black Prairie grassland habitat, and re-introducing populations of bobwhite quail. His work is a labor of love, and a commitment to future generations. The model Mr. Jimmy has implemented for wise land use is one he shares enthusiastically, proof to other landowners that significant positive impact on wildlife populations can be accomplished alongside productive agriculture.
We are incredibly excited to announce Jimmy Bryant as our 2023 Orvis Conservationist of the Year.
2023 Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNER—Thomas E. Baltz
Thomas Baltz has been honored to guide fly fishers for just shy of 50 years. He was a contributing instructor in one of the first US Fly-Fishing Schools (Letort Limited Fly-Fishing School) in the 1970s. Instructors included such pioneers as Tony Skilton, Ed Koch, Ed Schenk, and Joe Humphries. It later became the Allenberry Fly-Fishing School, which ran for 30+ years. Tom became an Orvis-Endorsed Guide in 2000, and in his first year won the Guide of the Year Award. The primary reason was the number of feedback reports that indicated just how much clients learned and enjoyed their time on the water with Tom. Over the years, Tom has pioneered four patterns that were adopted and sold by Orvis, including the ICSI Midge, Paranymph, Mudbugger, and Hatching Nymph. Tom has enjoyed a distinguished history of involvement with the Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited chapter, serving as a board member, president, and active leader in conservation projects throughout the region. His dedication has resulted in him becoming the only CVTU member to ever win each of the following awards:
• Limestoner Award – For his leadership in conservation and chapter functions
• Rising Trout Award – For his works in promoting and educating fly fishing in the Cumberland Valley
• Order of the Hat Award – For his articles and works as a contributing author to The Mid-Atlantic Fly-Fishing Guide
We are very excited to add the 2023 Orvis Lifetime Achievement Award to Thomas’ long list of accolades and accomplishments.
Past Winners
2022 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
LINCOLN WESTBY | Blue Horizon Lodge, Belize
2022 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR
ALASKA SPORTSMAN'S LODGE | Lake Iliamna/Bristol Bay region, Alaska
2022 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING LODGE OF THE YEAR
GREYSTONE CASTLE SPORTING CLUB | Mingus, Texas
2022 ORVIS-ENDORSED INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
EL PESCADOR LODGE | Belize
2022 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING OUTFITTER THE YEAR
WILLOWFLY ANGLERS | Almont, Colorado
2022 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING GUIDE OF THE YEAR
BRYAN DONOWAY | Jarrettsville, Maryland
2022 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING GUIDE OF THE YEAR
DAVE BROWN | Dave Brown Outfitters - Arizona Quail Guides, Patagonia, Arizona
2022 ORVIS FLY SHOP OF THE YEAR
NORTHWEST OUTFITTERS | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
2021 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
PAUL ROOS | Montana
2021 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR
MADISON VALLEY RANCH | Ennis, Montana
2021 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING LODGE OF THE YEAR
FLYING B RANCH | Kamiah, Idaho
2021 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
LILLARD FLY FISHING EXPEDITIONS | Pisgah
Forest, North Carolina
2021 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING GUIDE OF THE YEAR
ALBERTO REY | Fredonia, New York
2020 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING GUIDE OF THE YEAR
MIKE GOLDSMITH | Joshua Creek Ranch, Boerne, Texas
2021 ORVIS-ENDORSED CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR
BRIAN KRAFT | Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge, Bristol Bay region, Alaska
2021 ORVIS DEALER OF THE YEAR
TCO FLY SHOP | Pennsylvania
2020 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
STEVE GROSSMAN | Double Gun Bird Hunts, Staples, Minnesota
2020 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR
HEALING WATERS LODGE | Twin Bridges, Montana
2020 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING LODGE OF THE YEAR
PRAIRIE WILDLIFE | West Point, Mississippi
2020 ORVIS-ENDORSED OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
LINEHAN OUTFITTING | Troy, Montana
2020 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING GUIDE OF THE YEAR
BJ WALLE | Flying B Ranch, Kamiah, Idaho
2020 ORVIS-ENDORSED FRESHWATER GUIDE OF THE YEAR
JOSH PFEIFFER | Maryville, Tennessee
2020 ORVIS-ENDORSED SALTWATER GUIDE OF THE YEAR
CAPTAIN RENE LETOURNEAU | Pawtucket, Rhode Island
2020 FLY SHOP OF THE YEAR
BAY STREET OUTFITTERS | Beaufort, South Carolina
2019 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
LONNIE ALLEN | Three Rivers Ranch, Idaho
2019 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR
CRYSTAL CREEK LODGE | King Salmon, Alaska
2019 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING LODGE OF THE YEAR
SOUTHWIND PLANTATION | Attapulgus, Georgia
2019 INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
HAWK LAKE LODGE | Kenora, Ontario
2019 ORVIS-ENDORSED OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
CROSS CURRENT GUIDE SERVICE & OUTFITTERS | Starlight, Pennsylvania
2019 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING GUIDE OF THE YEAR
RYAN O’SHAUGHNESSY | Alpine, Texas
2019 ORVIS-ENDORSED FRESHWATER GUIDE OF THE YEAR
CHIP SWANSON | Breckenridge, Colorado
2019 ORVIS-ENDORSED SALTWATER GUIDE OF THE YEAR
DUANE BAKER | Tavernier, Florida
2019 FLY SHOP OF THE YEAR
ANGLER’S COVEY | Colorado Springs, Colorado
2018 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
SANDY MORET | Islamorada, Florida
2018 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR
WOLLASTON LAKE LODGE | Saskatchewan, Canada
2018 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING LODGE OF THE YEAR
JOSHUA CREEK RANCH | Boerne, Texas
2018 INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
SALVELINUS | Spanish Pyrenees
2018 ORVIS-ENDORSED OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
WILD WATERS FLY FISHING | Mt. Shasta, California
2018 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING GUIDE OF THE YEAR
MARK NISSEN | Glendale, Wisconsin
2018 ORVIS-ENDORSED FRESHWATER GUIDE OF THE YEAR
JENNY MAYRELL-WOODRUFF | Broken Bow, Oklahoma
2018 ORVIS-ENDORSED SALTWATER GUIDE OF THE YEAR
CAPT. JASON SULLIVAN | Everglades National Park, Florida
2018 FLY SHOP OF THE YEAR
UNICOI OUTFITTERS | Helen, Georgia
2017 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
MATT LIBBY, SR. | Libby Camps, Maine
2017 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR
BIG HOLE LODGE | Wise River, Montana
2017 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING LODGE OF THE YEAR
SOUTHWIND PLANTATION | Attapulgus, Georgia
2017 INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
EL PESCADOR LODGE & VILLAS | Ambergris Caye, Belize
2017 ORVIS-ENDORSED OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
THE TACKLE SHOP OUTFITTERS | Ennis, Montana
2017 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING GUIDE OF THE YEAR
ERIC HARRISON | Boerne, Texas
2017 ORVIS-ENDORSED FRESHWATER GUIDE OF THE YEAR
KIP VIETH | Monticello, Minnesota
2017 ORVIS-ENDORSED SALTWATER GUIDE OF THE YEAR
CAPT. LUCAS BISSETT | Slidell, Louisiana
2017 FLY SHOP OF THE YEAR
BEAVERKILL ANGLER | Roscoe, New York
2016 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
CAROLYN PARKER | River Run Outfitters, Branson, Missouri
2016 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR
THE LODGE AT GLENDORN | Bradford, Pennsylvania
2016 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING LODGE OF THE YEAR
PAUL NELSON FARM | Gettysburg, South Dakota
2016 INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
MAGIC WATERS PATAGONIA LODGE | Coyhaique, Chile
2016 ORVIS-ENDORSED OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
ELLENSBURG ANGLER | Ellensburg, Washington
2016 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING GUIDE OF THE YEAR
RANDY MATIS | Elgin, Arizona
2016 ORVIS-ENDORSED FRESHWATER GUIDE OF THE YEAR
JOHN HERZER | Blackfoot River Outfitters, Missoula, Montana
2016 ORVIS-ENDORSED SALTWATER GUIDE OF THE YEAR
CAPT. KEN CHAMBERS | Backcountry Guide Service, Naples, Florida
2016 ORVIS AUTHORIZED DEALER OF THE YEAR
BRECKENRIDGE OUTFITTERS | Breckenridge, Colorado
2015 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
GEORGE HUNKER | Sweetwater Fishing Expeditions, Lander, Wyoming
2015 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR
MADISON VALLEY RANCH | Ennis, Montana
2015 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING LODGE OF THE YEAR
GREYSTONE CASTLE | Mingus, Texas
2015 INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
RIO MANSO LODGE | Argentina
2015 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
NORTH PARK ANGLERS | Walden, Colorado
2015 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING GUIDE OF THE YEAR - WEST
CHUCK PAGE | Big Hole Lodge, Wise River, Montana
2015 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING GUIDE OF THE YEAR - EAST
BROWN HOBSON | Asheville, North Carolina
2015 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING GUIDE SERVICE OF THE YEAR
LONG OUTFITTING | Livingston, Montana
2015 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING EXPEDITION OF THE YEAR
DEEP CANYON OUTFITTERS | Bend, Oregon
2014 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
DOUG GIBSON | Three Rivers Ranch, Irwin, Idaho
2014 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR
THE LODGE AT PALISADES CREEK | Irwin, Idaho
2014 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING LODGE OF THE YEAR
FLYING B RANCH | Kamiah, Idaho
2014 INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
THE BOAT COMPANY | Southeast Alaska
2014 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR
UGLY BUG FLY SHOP | Casper, Wyoming
2014 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING GUIDE OF THE YEAR - WEST
PAT KANE | Missoula, Montana
2014 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING GUIDE OF THE YEAR - EAST
PATRICK FULKROD | Bristol, Virginia
2013 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
JOHN KOWALSKI | PRO Outfitters, Ovando, Montana
2013 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR - EAST
CAMP BONAVENTURE | Bonaventure, Quebec
2013 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING LODGE OF THE YEAR - WEST
FIREHOLE RANCH | West Yellowstone, Montana
2013 ORVIS-ENDORSED WINGSHOOTING LODGE OF THE YEAR
PINE HILL PLANTATION | Donalsonville, Georgia
2013 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR - EAST
LOPSTICK LODGE OUTFITTERS | Pittsburg, New Hampshire
2013 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING OUTFITTER OF THE YEAR - WEST
BRECKENRIDGE OUTFITTERS | Breckenridge, Colorado
2013 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING GUIDE OF THE YEAR - WEST
TIM LINEHAN | Troy, Montana
2013 ORVIS-ENDORSED FLY-FISHING GUIDE SERVICE OF THE YEAR
ROCKY MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS | Heber City, Utah
2013 EXPEDITION OF THE YEAR
FORTRESS LAKE RETREAT | Alberta, Canada
2013 INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
EL PESCADOR LODGE & VILLAS | Ambergris Caye, Belize