Orvis Fly Fishing School

Orvis, the fly fishing and sporting goods company, has been headquartered in Manchester since 1856, and their flagship store and fly fishing school are a destination in themselves. The school runs casting lessons and guided fishing trips on the Battenkill River — lessons suit complete beginners as well as experienced anglers looking to refine technique. Half-day and full-day programmes are available; book well ahead in summer.

The flagship store on Route 7A stocks the full Orvis line alongside a serious selection of fishing equipment, outdoor clothing, and dog accessories. Even if you're not buying, it's worth stepping in to see the range. The Battenkill out back — one of Vermont's most beautiful rivers — is visible from the store's rear windows and accessible via a short path. The river still holds wild brown trout, and catch-and-release fishing is permitted on certain stretches.

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Orvis was founded in Manchester in 1856 — making it one of the oldest sporting goods companies in America — by Charles F. Orvis, who began selling fishing equipment from the town. The company remained in Manchester for its entire history and is still headquartered here, with its flagship store and fly fishing school operating beside the Battenkill River. The river itself was one of the great wild trout streams of the Northeast, celebrated in fishing literature from the 19th century onward.

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