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Orvis hard times....
Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2025 2:44 pm
by 46er
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2025 1:08 pm
by Rusty Spinner
I saw that. Orvis stores have always suffered, at least those around here. I can think of a bunch that were "company stores" that went under. Short Hills Mall is one that comes quickly to mind.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2025 11:37 pm
by 46er
There was one off RT 73 in Marlton along with a large LL Bean. Orvis closed maybe 5 years ago, Bean is still there.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2025 9:51 am
by Rusty Spinner
My kind is a dying breed. Orvis made its money from fly fishing and bird hunting. There are so few who still bird hunt over good dogs with nice gear these days. Fly fishing is holding its own, but new anglers don't care about stodgy brands like Orvis. It's whatever the best deal is on the internet.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2025 11:47 pm
by 46er
I stopped Quail hunting in 2014 when my Brit checked out at 16. Raised and trained them for about 15 years. Local tackle shop, Hook House, hunts with Brit's.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 9:47 am
by Bubba Zinetti
Wow, people still post here. I guess I'll have to visit a little more often.
On to Orvis: Here is the state ment from Orvis President
"A year ago, Orvis began an effort to strengthen its business by scaling it down. The retailer at that point announced layoffs of 8% of its workforce, the closure of some of its 80-plus locations and the end of its famous catalog.
Tariffs are forcing more reductions, according to a statement from Orvis President Simon Perkins, whose grandfather acquired the company 60 years ago.
“Like many in retail, Orvis’ business model faced a sizeable shift with the introduction of an unprecedented tariff landscape,” he said, adding, “To ensure a durable brand and model for decades to come, we are focusing on our core strengths and making the difficult but necessary decision to rescale the business by tightening our assortment and reducing our corporate store footprint.”"
They are still doing DTC on the website, and still partnering with major retailers. As far as I can tell, the current outlook for the Fly fishing industry is 3-5% growth over the next 3 years. More women, and youths (utes?) are fishing and taking up fishing. Trends seem to indicate this is greater than the "aging out" problem. It also seems that the high end market is suffering. Why spend $$$$$ for a new 6 weight, when the old trusty 9' 5 wt will do the job.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 10:18 am
by Rusty Spinner
Bubba Zinetti wrote: ↑Fri Oct 31, 2025 9:47 am
Wow, people still post here. I guess I'll have to visit a little more often.
On to Orvis: Here is the state ment from Orvis President
"A year ago, Orvis began an effort to strengthen its business by scaling it down. The retailer at that point announced layoffs of 8% of its workforce, the closure of some of its 80-plus locations and the end of its famous catalog.
Tariffs are forcing more reductions, according to a statement from Orvis President Simon Perkins, whose grandfather acquired the company 60 years ago.
“Like many in retail, Orvis’ business model faced a sizeable shift with the introduction of an unprecedented tariff landscape,” he said, adding, “To ensure a durable brand and model for decades to come, we are focusing on our core strengths and making the difficult but necessary decision to rescale the business by tightening our assortment and reducing our corporate store footprint.”"
They are still doing DTC on the website, and still partnering with major retailers. As far as I can tell, the current outlook for the Fly fishing industry is 3-5% growth over the next 3 years. More women, and youths (utes?) are fishing and taking up fishing. Trends seem to indicate this is greater than the "aging out" problem. It also seems that the high end market is suffering. Why spend $$$$$ for a new 6 weight, when the old trusty 9' 5 wt will do the job.
Of course, tariffs would be a non issue if they manufactured in the US......and I agree on the high end rods. A thousand dollars for a fly rod is insanity. Glad I have my many "connections" within the industry.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 1:28 pm
by Bubba Zinetti
Hey Rusty,
Helios 3, Recon, and Super Fine Glass are all manufactured in Vermont. Quick look at Helios F 9' 5wt clocks in at $1098. Ouch. I get what you say about tariffs, however if we (the consumer) want less expensive products then we will have to have the product made somewhere cheaper. We will also have to have all of the components to make that product made somewhere cheaper. Etc...Etc...
The Orvis Encounter runs at about $200. in case you were wondering.
Who is right? Is it the consumer who demands lower prices for goods and services. Is it the Corporation who wants to constantly increase profits? Is it the worker, who wants a job that pays well enough so they can start a family and maybe buy a house? Are all of them right? How do we as a society balance this.
Also, Orvis shrinking, and refocusing on fishing and hunting is a good thing. They are also shrinking their product line and closing retail stores.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 2:46 pm
by Rusty Spinner
Bubba Zinetti wrote: ↑Fri Oct 31, 2025 1:28 pm
Hey Rusty,
Helios 3, Recon, and Super Fine Glass are all manufactured in Vermont. Quick look at Helios F 9' 5wt clocks in at $1098. Ouch. I get what you say about tariffs, however if we (the consumer) want less expensive products then we will have to have the product made somewhere cheaper. We will also have to have all of the components to make that product made somewhere cheaper. Etc...Etc...
The Orvis Encounter runs at about $200. in case you were wondering.
Who is right? Is it the consumer who demands lower prices for goods and services. Is it the Corporation who wants to constantly increase profits? Is it the worker, who wants a job that pays well enough so they can start a family and maybe buy a house? Are all of them right? How do we as a society balance this.
Also, Orvis shrinking, and refocusing on fishing and hunting is a good thing. They are also shrinking their product line and closing retail stores.
The fly rods you mention made here in the US represent far less than 1% of Orvis sales. Clothing, now made in China, is their staple. As for where things should be manufactured, that used to be a no brainer and the answer was right here in the US of A. But that ship largely sailed by the end of the 70s. Now there is a growing trend of bringing manufacturing back to the states, but it will take time if it does happen.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2025 9:25 am
by Bubba Zinetti
Hey Rusty,
In case you or anyone else was wondering.
"The largest segment is Apparel & Footwear at 40%, followed by Dog Products at 25%. Fly-Fishing Equipment (everything except rods) is 15%, while the iconic Fly Rods themselves are only 5%. The remaining segments are Travel/Lodging at 10% and Home & Gifts at 5%
China is not the only foreign manufacturer of their clothing line. Products are made all over the world. Including the United States. Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka are some of the other places where clothing is manufactured. There is also Peru, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Mexico.
Not sure what your point is. My question is this. We the consumer (the societal we) was inexpensive products delivered to our door tomorrow. If a company cannot do that, then we will look elsewhere. A niche company like Orvis will not be able to survive if they source all of their products from the US. They cannot compete. So, I ask: Who is right? Is it the consumer who demands lower prices for goods and services? Is it the Corporation who wants to constantly increase profits? Is it the worker, who wants a job that pays well enough so they can start a family and maybe buy a house? Are all of them right?
How do we as a society balance this?
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2025 9:43 am
by robtf
The "Orvis" type stores are going to have to just go hard into the new world with different types of promotion. I think they need "influencers"
The world most of us knew growing up is almost completely gone, but that doesn't mean totally forgotten. Nor does it mean that some replacement or refinement is not needed.
Who are the next generation Tom Rosenbauer's that can represent a new "Orvis"? is there room for niche Orvis brand gear, specifically rods and reels?
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2025 9:46 am
by robtf
46er wrote: ↑Tue Oct 14, 2025 11:37 pm
There was one off RT 73 in Marlton along with a large LL Bean. Orvis closed maybe 5 years ago, Bean is still there.
That was a good store, I tried to throw them business when I could. But Bean and for outdoors EMS, were still there when I checked last somewhere about 3+ years ago before I retired (worked in Mt Laurel for 15 years)
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2025 8:04 am
by 46er
robtf wrote: ↑Thu Nov 20, 2025 9:43 am
The world most of us knew growing up is almost completely gone, but that doesn't mean totally forgotten.
Yep, fly shops used to be like bars in Bayonne, every block had one. Now where is the closest to where you live? Zero in a 30 mile radius where I am. The internet shops are at my fingertips.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 9:23 am
by martalus
https://www.sboutfitters.com/staff
I guess I am out of the loop! Shannons is no longer Shannons? At least it is still open as a traditional fly shop! I still have a gift certificate signed by Jim H and given to me from my Dad (both passed on). It is one those scraps of paper that I can't seem to throw away, even though I have moved several times across countries and continents!
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 10:14 am
by Rusty Spinner
martalus wrote: ↑Wed Dec 03, 2025 9:23 am
https://www.sboutfitters.com/staff
I guess I am out of the loop! Shannons is no longer Shannons? At least it is still open as a traditional fly shop! I still have a gift certificate signed by Jim H and given to me from my Dad (both passed on). It is one those scraps of paper that I can't seem to throw away, even though I have moved several times across countries and continents!
It has been South Branch Outfitters since Jim's mother and brother sold it to the new owners, daughter and son in law of the owners of the Raritan Inn where Shannon's Private Waters remains. The owners are good people, but newer to fly fishing. They will do well there. I believe they only purchased the contents of the business and not the liabilities, hence the new name.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 10:19 am
by Rusty Spinner
46er wrote: ↑Sat Nov 22, 2025 8:04 am
robtf wrote: ↑Thu Nov 20, 2025 9:43 am
The world most of us knew growing up is almost completely gone, but that doesn't mean totally forgotten.
Yep, fly shops used to be like bars in Bayonne, every block had one. Now where is the closest to where you live? Zero in a 30 mile radius where I am. The internet shops are at my fingertips.
Living in northwest NJ, I have plenty of fly shops thankfully. In no particular order and within 30 miles of my house is Golden Stone Outfitters, South Branch Outfitters (formerly Shannon's), Tight Lines, Streams of Dreams, and Ramsey Outdoor (two stores). Add fly shops just over the border in PA and I am well covered in that regard.
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2025 6:35 pm
by robtf
Virtually all our fly shops have closed Monmouth county and south. Basspro doesn’t count, even though they have a guy who tried, and have some limited stock available.
when I was in buildup mode, I frequented the Fly Hatch in Red Bank, and then stopped in Orvis/Marlton to give as much business as I could.
Nowadays I’m trying to get back to use-up mode as I have enough material to run a table at the show (not quite, but it feels that way)
Re: Orvis hard times....
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2025 8:39 am
by 46er
Ramsey Outdoor
There's a name totally forgotten by me. Used to be Campmor on the way up to the 'dacks, stop at Ramsey on the way home. Might just head back up there, looking for special waders/hip boots for my Son.
The only fly stuff here is the Atlantic Saltwater Flyrodders club in Seaside and the TU chapter in Monmouth county.