Orvis’ Tom Rosenbauer on Fly Fishing and Other Passions
by Monte Burke, contributing editor at Forbes. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
Forbes’ Monte Burke.
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s safe to say that Tom Rosenbauer is a living legend in the world of fly fishing. He might not like to hear that, but it’s true.
Rosenbauer is the marketing manager for Orvis Rod & Tackle, where he has worked for more than 30 years. During that time, he has taught countless people how to fly fish, written 10 books about the sport, hosted a weekly advice podcast and invented, among other things, the magnetic net retractor. He is the rare expert who is able to openly and skillfully share his wealth of knowledge with others.
I’ve had the pleasure of fishing with Rosenbauer in Chile, the Florida Keys, the West Branch of the Delaware and, perhaps most memorably, on his favorite little trout stream near his home in southern Vermont. One thing you learn quickly when fishing with him: Lunch breaks—in fact, nearly any breaks in the fishing day—are for wimps. Rosenbauer is a persistent and untiring angler. His old friend, Tony Biski—the famous Cape Cod striper guide—best summed up Rosenbauer’s fishing style in a story written by Charles Gaines a few years ago:
“I don’t guide him at all,” Biski said of Rosenbauer. “The guy is like a crazed, caged dog. I just bring him out here and turn him loose.”
I figured it was time to catch up with Rosenbauer to get some of his thoughts on the fly fishing industry, new and emerging trends, bucket list fish and handmade chocolate.
NOTE: Featured Image is of Tom Rosenbauer, author at Orvis News and marketing manager.
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