It’s that time of year to start preparing for summer outdoor sports! Meetings Northwest has been busy teaming up with Orvis to bring you another Orvis Guide Rendezvous (OGR) and Down the Hatch (DTH) Festival. Following last year’s incredibly successful event held in Missoula, MT in April 2017, this year’s 32nd OGR and 7th DTH Festival will be held in Asheville, North Carolina, at Highland Brewing Company beginning April 11th and concluding April 14th. To give you a snapshot of what to expect, let’s re-visit last year’s extravaganza.
Picture it, downtown Missoula in the spring. Caras Park, river flowing, trees blooming, local beer and food, Missoula’s best music on the stage. Learn how to cast a fly pole on the knoll overlooking the beautiful Clark Fork River. Be inspired by an artist mixing an elaborate palate, creating an abstract river just by the switch of his fly pole as his brush. The park is filled with families, kids learning how to cast with the Twin Territory boys and little ones catching trout in the trout pond. The covered plaza is teaming with people learning about new outdoor equipment and dreaming about days on the river in a raft or a beautiful locally hand-crafted cedar boat. Our staff was excited to showcase our knowledge of our hometown by bringing together the best community partnerships, volunteers, music, fly fishing aficionados, and family.
Orvis kicked off OGR with the Owners’ & Managers’ Cocktail Party at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The following morning was the beginning of two and a half full days of events held at the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown. The weekend’s activities were all held within walking distance from the most popular restaurants and attractions of downtown Missoula and of course, only a couple blocks from the beautiful Clark Fork River. The Orvis Guide Rendezvous focuses on bringing together guides, lodge owners, outfitters, and anglers from all over the world.
The combined experience and expertise present at this event was impressive. Where else can you find global industry leaders all exchanging ideas and sharing the challenges of the exciting and demanding business of fly fishing? Their commitment and enthusiasm for the sport and natural world is always a common thread.
While business was the focus of the Orvis Guide Rendezvous meetings and presentations, the Down the Hatch Festival was all about fun, music, catching up with friends and making new connections. The party in Caras Park was Orvis’s way of celebrating Missoula and opening up the opportunity to learn more about fly fishing to the whole community. It was truly a Missoula community event. The music kicked off with new local favorite Milltown Damn, followed by headliner and Best of Missoula multi-year award recipient Tom Catmull. From local conservation based organizations to local outdoor focused businesses, anyone passionate about fishing and families attended. Whether interested in learning the latest and greatest on gear from a variety of outdoor brands or getting the family together for a fun and educational outing, DTH had something for everyone. Twin Territories arrived and worked endlessly with the youngest generation of fishers and a Guide Olympics competition brought out the competitive side in everyone – while also competing in and winning the men’s Guide Olympics title for the second year in a row.
Tom Catmull, Last Resort
A huge thank you is due to Big Sky Brewing for being such a wonderful sponsor. Of course, it isn’t a classic Missoula event without a local brewery and their most popular beverages on-site. Big Sky Brewing went one step further by donating beer sales to the WestSlope Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Orivs’s event wrapped up with the DTH Film Festival just next door at The Wilma. The beautifully restored, historic and popular venue hosted our fishing crowd by showing fishing films for the evening.
In partnership with Costa Del Mar and Yeti, this event was another “Kick Plastic” campaign. The goal to eliminate disposable water bottles in the outdoor community is paramount for addressing the ever growing issue of climate change and pollution. Klean Kanteen sponsored the commemorative water bottle for the first 500 attendees. In addition, proceeds from the DTH Film Festival were also donated to the local Trout Unlimited chapter.
Attendance at the Down the Hatch Festival was estimated at over 2,000 people. From toddlers to experienced fly-fisher people, the community turned out to support the event and enjoy all that Orvis brought to Missoula.
Orvis Down the Hatch 2018
Meetings Northwest looks forward to seeing you at the Asheville Down the Hatch Festival April 14th. It is going to be a great time! Follow Down the Hatch 2018 on Facebook! THINK SUN!
Set your calendars, April 24-27, 2019!
These Orvis events only get better every year! OGR is the right place for you if you are a guide, interested in the Orvis Endorsement program, or even if wingshooting is your gig. Down the Hatch is the place to be April 27th, Caras Park, right after the YMCA River Run! Learn to cast like a pro, watch the best of the best guides compete in the Guide Olympics, listen to your favorite bands on stage, peruse the Fly Fishing equipment, and let the kiddles take their hand at fishing – all while enjoying some local beer and local food. Followed by the renowned DTH Film Fest at The Wilma, all ticket proceeds will benefit your local rivers.
About the Author:
Ashley is a born and raised Bitterrooter who now resides in the heart of Missoula with her husband and three children. She is currently a graduate student (MPH) at the University of Montana and loves learning and serving in her community. Her passions in Northwestern Montana include hiking, camping, backpacking and showing her children all that Missoula, especially, has to offer. From the Blackfoot to the Bitterroot, and the Clark Fork north into the majesty of the Mission Mountains, the highlights of Ashley’s life are filled with adventure, family, and a passion for people. Her outgoing personality and attention to detail, along with a professional background in finance, help her excel in social media outreach and any assignment.
