Southwick Associates the statistical shock troops used by many in the industry decreed the venerable Orvis Company is the “number one choice among fly fishing fans.”

A representative sample of 16000 anglers suggests the Shakespeare Ugly Stik and Orvis are the large fish in a small pond of rod makers.

However, if cost plays a deciding role among users of conventional fishing tackle, the same is not true of fly fishing fans. Of all fly rod purchases, Orvis was number one. Orvis also sold the most fishing flies — and you should know that Orvis is not a bargain basement operation.

I’m not so sure about the bargain basement mention, seems to me that shoveling the rods through a different door may be just that. I would have assumed Sage was the most popular, but then again, there’s no telling with statistics.

In either case, as long as I’m able to score their tackle at one third retail, they’ve got my vote. Us Brownliners are known for tantrums – we’ll attempt to impale a recalcitrant fish if needs be, and the Shakespeare Ugly Stick is virtually indestructible.

Orvis rods are a bit more fragile – so we sand the “R” off the grip and claim we paid full retail ….

No morals, few scruples, loose standards … and unapologetic.