Highlighted Rod Makers

Orvis

Orvis has a long, colorful history that began in 1856 when Charles Orvis opened a tackle shop in Manchester, VT. By 1870 he had moved into a factory building and began sending out catalogues, predating the more famous ones from Sears by more than 20 years. The company was sold in 1939 and again in 1965, this time to the Perkins family, who continue to manage the firm to this day. Orvis currently has over 30 retail stores in addition to its mail order business, offering clothing and other merchandise in addition to fishing tackle.

Colorado's Classic Rod Makers

Goodwin Granger

Goodwin Granger began making bamboo fly rods after World War I and officially started his business in the early twenties in Denver, Colorado. Goodwin standardized many aspects of the rods, allowing him to mass produce high quality rods. The Granger company was forced into closure at the beginning of World War II due to a lack of raw materials. Wright & McGill purchased the rights to the Goodwin Granger Company after World War II and began replicating the Goodwin process.

Phillipson

Goodwin Granger

Bill Phillipson had been a protégé of Goodwin Granger and then supervisor of his rod shop up until the time it closed down shortly before World War II. In 1945 he started his own company, the Phillipson Rod and Tackle Co., and produced his first bamboo rods in 1946. The Phillipson Rod Company also made fiberglass fly rods from 1950 to the early 1970s.

Bill was also an accomplished fly caster. He was recognized by the Fishing Hall of Fame in the 1950’s.

Wright & McGill

Goodwin Granger

Wright & McGill

Wright & McGill was started in the late 1920’s by Drew McGill and Stan Wright and was the predecessor of today’s Eagle Claw. The original company was set up to manufacture high grade fishing flies, but by the 1940’s they had expanded into manufacturing bamboo rods. At the end of World War II, Wright & McGill bought the Goodwin Granger Company from Granger’s widow to enhance their flies, lures and hooks business. Wright & McGill also produced fiberglass rods beginning in the mid-1950’s.

Colorado Vintage Fly FishingExperience Fly Fishing at Its Best!

Highlighted Rod Makers

Orvis

Colorado's Classic Rod Makers

Goodwin Granger

Goodwin Granger

Goodwin Granger

Phillipson

Goodwin Granger

Goodwin Granger

Wright & McGill

Goodwin Granger

Wright & McGill

This website uses cookies.

Colorado Vintage Fly Fishing

Experience Fly Fishing at Its Best!