Founded in 1856, the Orvis Company claims to be the oldest mail order retailer in the United States and has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a fishing tackle shop in Manchester, Vermont. It grew quickly thanks to the quality reputation of Charles Orvis’s fly rods, and in the 160+ years since, Orvis has grown into a world leader in all things outdoor recreation, especially fly fishing, but has expanded its offerings to include other sporting equipment, clothing, furniture, travel goods, and, of course, products for dogs. In addition to its catalogs, Orvis has 69 stores and 10 outlets in the U.S., with another 18 stores in the U.K., plus more than 500 dealers worldwide.
