Orvis, the family-owned and -operated outdoor retailer that specializes in fly-fishing and wingshooting gear, dog products, and active lifestyle apparel, has recognized Belizean guide Lincoln Westby and El Pescador Lodge as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner and International Destination of the Year, respectively, in a year where anglers everywhere return to travel. Both awards were recently delivered during the annual Orvis Guide Rendezvous, which took place in Missoula, Montana.
Every year, the Orvis-Endorsed Awards recognize the best of the brand’s endorsed partners and designate the Fly-Fishing Lodge of the Year, Wingshooting Lodge of the Year, International Destination of the Year, Fly-Fishing Outfitter of the Year, Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year, Fly Shop of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement recipient. The Orvis-Endorsed winners are selected based on customer feedback of the nominated lodges, guides and outfitters, as well as the operations’ commitment to stewardship of natural resources. The awards are announced annually at the Orvis Guide Rendezvous.
This year, Orvis awarded its 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award to Lincoln Westby, in recognition of Westby’s commitment to conserving the habitat in Belize and sharing his passion to teach the top guides in the country. Westby is considered the “permit master” with over 2,000 permit to hand, and has gained legendary status in the world of fly-fishing. Since the beginning of his career in 1971, Westby has retained his passion for fishing and shared with others by not only training new guides, but also leading seminars and lectures.
“Lincoln was born on the water, and it has since become the focal point of his life,” says Orvis Endorsed Operations Manager, Tom Evenson. “His passion is contagious, it’s obvious to all guests when they walk through the door that they will have their very best experience out on the water with Lincoln, whether it’s their first or 400th time.”
Belize is also home to the International Destination of the Year recipient, El Pescador Lodge. Located on Ambergris Caye, El Pescador Lodge was founded in the early 1970s and today offers all-inclusive vacations and fishing trips for anglers, eco-adventurers, couples, and families.
The 2022 Orvis-Endorsed Award winners:
- Fly-Fishing Lodge of the Year – Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge, Alaska
- Wingshooting Lodge of the Year – Greystone Castle Sporting Club, Texas
- International Destination of the Year – El Pescador Lodge, Belize
- Fly-Fishing Outfitter of the Year – Willowfly Anglers, Colorado
- Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year – Bryan Donoway, Maryland
- Wingshooting Guide of the Year – Dave Brown, Saskatchewan
- Fly Shop of the Year – Northwest Outfitters, Idaho
- Lifetime Achievement – Lincoln Westby (Blue Horizon Lodge), Belize
Learn more about the 2022 Orvis-Endorsed Award Winners here: https://www.orvis.com/endorsed-awards-winners-2022.html.
For more information, please direct Orvis media inquiries to Associate Account Manager Ryan Silven at ryan.silven@rygr.us.
About The Orvis Company: Founded in 1856, we believe the most meaningful experiences are created by sharing the love of nature and being inspired by its endless possibilities. Orvis pioneered the mail order industry in the United States, operates more than 80 retail stores in the U.S and the U.K., and maintains a network of over 400 dealers worldwide as a trusted source of discovery and adventure in the natural world. We promise to open the door to extraordinary outdoor experiences, and to protect nature by committing 5% of our pretax profits each year to conservation efforts worldwide. www.orvis.com
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