Linehan Outfitting Company one of three finalists for Orvis Outfitter of the Year
<p>Orvis Company’s Tom Evenson, left, Travis Lee, Sam Stevenson, Tim Linehan, Joanne Linehan, Sean McAfee, Monti Moniz, Eric Brenco and missing crew member Steve Shaw</p>
Linehan Outfitting Company of Troy has been recognized by the Orvis Company as one of the three finalists for the company’s prestigious Outfitter of the Year award.
For more than 25 years, the Orvis Company has been recognizing excellence in sporting experiences. Each year representatives from each of several fishing and hunting categories are nominated and ultimately one is chosen for the best of the year.
The awards are based on a number of criteria, the most important being the voice of the customer. Customer feedback on these operations from the customers who have experienced them for that is the ultimate arbiter of success. Also taken into consideration are the operation’s environmental commitment to and stewardship of their resource, and their partnership with Orvis in providing the finest sporting experience possible for the Orvis customer.
Linehan Outfitting has received, as of Friday, 204 separate reviews from Orvis customers and maintains a perfect five-star rating. Additionally, all 204 reviewers indicated they would refer Linehan Outfitting to their friends.
Customer Matt Rimer praised Linehan’s service on the Orvis website.
“Had a great time on the Kootenai River,” he wrote. “Beautiful spot, early spring, cold water and was put on fish all day long! Big water!! Would have been lost without the help of Linehan Outfitting! Spoke with Tim several times prior to the trip and after. Great guy and extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Sam was the guide for the day and was on top of it all day long! We had a blast! Great experience and can’t wait to go back!”
Another customer, identified only as Art, also praised the work of the Linehans and their crew.
“I had an amazing time with Tim and the LOC staff,” he wrote. “Everyone in the group raved about the quality of the experience. Tim and Joanne truly provide a world class product that is second to none. The guides on staff were all superb and were excited to a part of our experience every day. I know how rare that is especially at the end of the season when most guides are burnt out and ready to go home. I look forward to hosting again next year.”
Owner Tim Linehan said he is proud of his team and their hard work and dedication that have brought them to this point.
“Linehan Outfitting Company is extraordinarily proud to be recognized as one of the top three fly fishing outfitters in the country by the Orvis Company,” he said. “It takes an entire crew to get this sort of praise and we work really hard as professional guides. Sometimes folks think this is a hobby job, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Indeed it’s seasonal for some guides, but many people don’t realize we deal with the general public, work long hours in the elements oaring a driftboat against the current, that we’re instructors first and foremost very much like a golf pro, and that ultimately we have to keep our guests safe and happy throughout the entire day by providing a service. What we definitely don’t do is go fishing for a living every day. This is a job. We enjoy our work, but it’s definitely hard work. Joanne and I are extremely proud of entire crew.”