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Bamboo Craftsmen Retires from Orvis After 38 Years of Service

Bamboo Production To Continue As it Has at Orvis For 150 Years.

Manchester, VT– In most cases, an employee whittling away their time would not last for 38 years at one company. But when your job is making the world’s finest bamboo fly rods for the Orvis Company, it’s all in a day’s work.

On March 29th, Ron “Whitey” White retired from his position as Bamboo Rod Maker at Orvis, marking the end of an era at the Manchester, Vermont based company. Whitey had apprenticed under legendary Orvis rod maker Wes Jordan who revolutionized fly rod manufacturing in the 1940’s.

“Over Whitey’s tenure he has made thousands upon thousands of rods and he will be missed,” said Jim Logan head, of rod manufacturing for The Orvis Company. “His influence will continue to be felt by anglers worldwide who will still be fishing with his rods for generations to come.”

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Whitey recently produced 50 collectible bamboo rods to mark the company’s 150th anniversary. In a testament to the respect he has garnered among bamboo enthusiasts, all 50 of the rods, which retailed for just over $4,000.00 each, sold out within weeks.

“Working with Whitey has been a treat,” said Charlie Hisey, a 13 year veteran of bamboo rod craftsmanship who will now lead the Orvis bamboo rod team “I was able to learn a lot from him.”

Bamboo fly rods can be ordered online at www.orvis.com or by visiting Orvis retail locations nationwide.

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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 www.orvis.com.

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