ORVIS ENDORSED LODGE, OUTFITTER, AND GUIDE PROGRAM

GUIDE SERVICES PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

Orvis takes great pride in introducing the Orvis Endorsed Lodge, Outfitter, Expedition, Guide Service and Guide Program. The program is designed to promote and uphold the highest standards in fishing lodges, outfitters, and guides and introduce fly fishing clients the Orvis products we are proud to produce and put in the hands of guiding professionals.

The fly fishing world is a busy and confusing place for many fly fishermen. They dream of an exciting fishing vacation where quality has been established and confidence is not questioned. It is the goal of this program to establish such confidence between visiting fishermen and the lodges and outfitters that are involved in our program.

Orvis is in itself a significant advertising medium in the fly fishing world. Through its publications and powerful website, Orvis reaches millions of fly fishermen and women. Our network of very successful company stores grows every year, with the total store count now atover 60across the United States. The endorsement section of orvis.com

( and your listing on that page is quickly becoming the largest value of the endorsement program. Orvis is continually taking steps to promote that site. The program will be supported with the web, catalogs, and brochures in the Orvis company-owned stores.

Orvis will support and promote, as described in this agreement, lodges, outfitters, expeditions, guide services and independent guides so long as those operations remain committed to providing the best possible customer service to their customer.

CONTRACT TERMS TO BE AGREED UPON AT THE END OF THIS DOCUMENT

Definition for Guide Service Category: An independent guide service is not connected with a lodge or outfitter (Fly Shop). An independent guide service will have more than one guide working for their operation.

The Orvis Company views the Endorsement Program as a partnership with both guides and management. With this partnership we will promote your operation to our list of loyal customers in a manner that is consistent with today’s ever changing marketing landscape.

  • As a means to stay consistent in the eyes of the customer, we would like all guides to carry an Orvis rod and reel outfit that is appropriate for a normal day’s fishing and encourage clients to use it during the day.
  • In order to show we are committed to helping you with the promotion of our products we offer you an industry leading discount on fishing equipment so long as this discount is not extended to anyone outside the endorsed operation. We will also offer special pricing on key products which goes above and beyond the normal guide pricing. We do this in order to make staying current with our ever changing product assortment even easier on you.

Orvis respects the individual identity and personality of every operation and by no means wishes to dictate to those operations. With that said the confidence for a customer to spend a day with a well-mannered, well prepared and poised individual is important for establishing the trust that is needed between a guide and a client. Orvis endorsed operations understand this and work tirelessly to ensure that the customer feels comfortable in their day on the water.

  • Guidesshould have patience and enthusiasm to deal with all types of people. Personality is as important as fishing ability.
  • Guides should have the ability and experience to teach the beginner as well as to offer the experienced fisherman a challenge.
  • Guides should be well acquainted with the waters they fish, have a thorough understanding of boating safety, and be responsible drivers.
  • Guides should have a working knowledge of the technical aspects of fly fishing.
  • Guides should be on time to meet their clients with clean, properly licensed, and well-maintained equipment.
  • Clients will always be furnished lunch (full – day trips), and guides must have experience in organizing and hosting a streamside lunch.
  • Guides will be licensed for areas fished and follow all fishing regulations.
  • Guides are encouraged to promote catch and release fishing. No fish will be kept unless requested by the client.
  • Guides should remain committed to maintaining a base knowledge of Orvis fly fishing equipment, in case the affiliation with Orvis comes up in conversation during the day on the water.
  • Orvis remains committed to communicating with our partners about our products so as to give them the main talking points for guides to be ready for product questions coming from a customer.
  • Giving our partners industry leading pricing on some of the best equipment available as a means to make this aspect of the partnership as easy as possible.
  • No guides will drink alcoholic beverages at any time before, during, or at any time when responsible for client safety.
  • Fishing by the guide is prohibited unless the client requests them to do so and then only on a limited basis.
  • In keeping with the Orvis commitment to customer service it is important to remember that in the event of an unsatisfied customer, we and our partners take whatever steps necessary to make the situation right. This may not but can result in a refund to the client by the endorsed operation.

Orvis Endorsed operations know their best partners are other professionals. In the case of referring customers to other fly fishing professionals the entire Orvis Endorsed network will be stronger if referrals happen with operations that are also in the Orvis Endorsed network.

Safety is one of the most important responsibilities of any professional guide. A safety orientation will be provided at the beginning of each trip and we highly recommend it to include but not be limited to wading, use of PFD’s (when appropriate), hook removal, interaction with livestock, interaction with wildlife and in case of emergency procedures. Each operation should maintain a “safety plan” with all appropriate medical emergency contacts and closest extraction/access locations. This safety plan should be communicated with each field staff member to ensure awareness and ability to act. The best safety is common sense. Drive carefully, follow Federal and State laws, have up to date First Aid and CPR training and ensure Vehicles, boats, and trailers are clean and maintained in excellent condition.

Insurance: During the term of this partnership, the operation, at their own expense, shall carry and maintain the following insurance which will be sent to Orvis yearly and will not be cancelled without 30 days written notice to Orvis:

  • Workers Compensation insurance and other forms of insurance requiredby the state in limits required by that state.
  • Comprehensive general liability insurance must be carried. It will be necessary for the Endorsed operation to name The Orvis Company, Inc. as additional insured. This will require a limit up to $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and not less than $100,000 per occurrence for property damage.

Reservations: We highly recommend requests for information be acknowledged by a returned communication within 24 hours of a customer inquiry, customers today have an increased expectation in the timeliness of a response and with today’s immediate internet/information world, you don’t want to give them an opportunity to find another place to fish. The reservation process is one of your first interactions with the customer. It should be organized, and a policy on deposits and refunds should be clearly defined. A confirmation communication stating the deposits, dates of the trip, refund policy should be sent within two days of the booking. This should include:

  • Suggested list of clothing and equipment needed for their trip.
  • A meeting place arranged or communication on when the meeting place will be defined

Exposure opportunities within Orvis :

  • Orvis will advertise the Endorsed Guide Service in the Sporting Traditions Catalog annually.
  • Orvis will include the Endorsed Guide Service in the state by state listing of the ELOG operations in one of the Outdoor News issues.
  • The Endorsed Guide Service will have access to the Orvis customer database on an exchange basis for direct marketing promotions. These promotions must be on a 10 to 1 exchange. Orvis will provide this service for up to 2,500 names per year, per operation. The original list of up to 2,500 names will be made available 3 times within a 12 month period.
  • The Endorsed Guide Survice will have the opportunities to build marketing relationships within the Orvis retail stores store network.
  • Orvis will have the Sporting Traditions Catalog in each of our company owned stores.
  • Orvis will provide a medium for client feedback which will be hosted on the endorsed operation’s own landing page on The operation will request that each guest complete this online review to be visible to Orvis, the endorsed partner, and customers looking for more information about the trip. The timely receipt of these reviews will be one of the main tools Orvis uses to pick the annual “Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge/Outfitter/Guide of the Year” awards.

Fees for the services provided by Orvis

  • The Orvis Fee for the marketing provided by Orvis is $2,750.00 per year starting on January 1st and ending on December 31st .
  • There is a one-time set-up fee for $250.00 for the first year of the partnership
  • These fees are completely non-refundable including the event in which we terminate this agreement during the contract term.
  • This agreement for the 2014 Contract year must be signed and returned to Orvis by 7/22/2013 to ensure we have enough time to allocate the proper space in the Sporting Traditions Catalog. All payment for the 2014 contract year is due by 9/1/2013

An Endorsed Operations Director or an Orvis representative authorized by theEndorsed OperationsDirector will have the right to visit the operation each year. Relationships are very important in this business and this visit is formal in that we want to make sure your operation continues to be run as it was when you started, but also serves to give you time with your Orvis representative for discussion of marketing changes, product updates, and industry observations. Through collaborative meetings like this this program gains strength and will do so for years to come.

In the event where Orvis needs to end an endorsed operation partnership, Orvis has the right to ask that all references to being Orvis endorsed, or being Orvis Endorsed in the past be removed from any and all publications promoting that operation. That would include any past awards that the operation may have won.

Orvis ELOG Events

One of the things that are special about The Orvis Company and our commitment to guides is the fact that we have been hosting guide / hospitality business building events for nearly 30 years. These events are both informative and fun and Orvis asks that our Endorsed partners attend at least one Guide event (Guide Rendezvous) every two years to ensure that our partners receive the latest information and training on our program. These programs continue to be excellent events for our Endorsed partners for continuing education in the industry. In addition to offering incentive pricing on all of our equipment at these events, we also bring professional speakers, industry veterans, Orvis Corporate Employees and other valuable speakers to make these events informative and worthwhile.

ORVIS

The Orvis Company, Inc. will be not responsible for any accidents, debts, lawsuits, or violations of law as brought about by the participating guides.

The guide service and its respective employees, agents and representatives, and all of their respective successors and assigns will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless The Orvis Company, Inc. and its respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, and their respective successors and assigns, from and against any and all losses, costs, liabilities, claims, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to the operation of the business of the guide or the other activities of the guide and hereby waive any claim against The Orvis Company, Inc. and its respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, and their respective successors and assigns, alleging that any of them has any liability or responsibility for the business or other activities of the guide.

Nothing in this agreement or any course of dealing between the guide service and Orvis establishes or is intended to establish a principal agent, partnership, or other relationship whereby the guide would be deemed to have the authority to act for or on behalf of Orvis. The annual fee covers the calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31 and automatically terminates at the end of that calendar year. Orvis expressly reserves the absolute right to not renew this agreement at the end of a calendar year.

ELOG GUIDE PURCHASE PROGRAM

As mentioned above, Orvis offers industry leading pricing for professional guides using our products. This pricing also applies to all demo product use required by the endorsed operation.

  • This discount is based on the basic wholesale (retail less 40%) discountless an additional 30%. For a model on calculating this use the price book your Endorsed Operation Director can provide. An example on how this pricing works can be seen below.
  • In order for Orvis to properly communicate with your guide staff a complete list of all guides including address, e-mail addresses and phone numbers should be submitted to Orvis on an annual basis. A guide package with guide numbers will be sent out to each so that purchases can be made directly. Inquiries to this program should be made directly to the Eastern or Western Endorsed Operations Director at Orvis.

Example: Retail GUID GUIDE

Discount Net

17A8C-5157 Helios 2 905-4 Mid Flex Rod $795.00 40%-30% $ 333.90

13R5Y-6109 Hydros Large Arbor III 255.00 40%-30% 107.10

15H5E -0153 Silver Sonic Conv. Top 259.00 40%-30% 108.88

Total Retail value $1,309.00 Less Guide Discount 759.12

______

Total for Order * $549.88

*Shipping not included

2014ORVIS ENDORSED LODGE, OUTFITTER, EXPEDITION, GUIDE SERVICE AND GUIDE PROGRAM

AGREEMENT WITH THE ORVIS COMPANY, INC.

AND

Great Feathers Guide Service

Name of Guide Service:______

Rob Lepczyk/ Mike Watriss

Name of Owner/Operation:______

If an Owner is other than a natural person (i.e., a legal entity such as a corporation or partnership), the name(s) of the owner(s) of that entity:______

Great Feathers

______

14824 York Road, Sparks, Maryland 21152

Address:______

______

______

Email Address:______

410-472-6799

Telephone number:______

Rob Lepczyk / Mike Watriss

Person(s) to contact and phone number:______

Rob Lepczyk – cell: 410-472-6799, work: 410-472-6799

______

Mike Watriss _ work: 410-472-6799

______

IN THE SPACE ABOVE, PLEASE PRINT THE GUIDE SERVICES NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS AS YOU WISH IT TO APPEAR IN ALL ADVERTISEMENTS.

This Agreement made as of this _____ day of ______, 20____ between The Orvis Company, Inc., a corporation with its principal offices located at Sunderland, Vermont05250 and ______

of ______

THE ORVIS COMPANY, INC.

By______

Orvis Representative Guide Service Name

______

Date Owner/Operator Name

Date______

By: /s/______

Authorized Representative of Owner if Owner

is a legal entity rather than a natural person

1