Montana Anglers Watch as Orvis Closes 36 Stores

For the fly-fishing fans, it’s like a gut punch: Orvis is closing 36 stores around the country, citing “unprecedented tariff pressures.” That’s corporate speak for “things became too expensive to keep the lights on.” Now the Vermont company is in preservation mode and trying to keep the bills paid.

As the Big Dogs Begin to Back Off

This isn’t to say Orvis is some no-name brand gathering dust in the corner of the fly shop. They’re one of the big guys. The rods, the waders, the lines, and the slick marketing staff have trout almost begging to be caught. You’ll find their gear stacked in piles at a thousand fly shops around Montana, from Bozeman to Missoula to Wolf Creek. If they continue to shrink, that means less access to the stuff most anglers have relied on since the mid-1800s.

This isn’t just about losing a brand. It’s about what happens when a foundation of the sport starts wobbling.

Montana Is the Mecca

Montana isn’t just another spot on the fly-fishing map. We are the map. If Orvis is reeling in, there will be fewer options, more costly gear, and more pressure on local shops to fill the gaps. Some of those local businesses will adapt.  They’ll start new lines, emphasize customer service, and maintain that river-rat spirit.

But others? They might get squeezed.

If Orvis Can’t Hack It…

Here’s the bigger picture: if a behemoth like Orvis can’t hold its nose and pay for tariff hikes, what about smaller brands? Simms, Patagonia, Montana Fly Company, they’re watching this closely. Tariffs don’t care about your favorite trout stream. They just make everything cost more.

The gear gets pricier. The anglers get grumpier. And the ripple reaches rivers like the Bitterroot and Blackfoot before you can say “hopper hatch.”

Shop Local or Lose Local

If we’ve got one card in our wading pants, it’s Montana’s fixation on keeping things nearby. Your corner fly shop is surely already figuring out how to pivot. Supporting them now might be the difference between a vibrant local scene and a whole lot of empty racks and empty wallets.