Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

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LakesideAl
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Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#1

Post by LakesideAl »

Hello -
I just picked up this Orvis gear bag from a familiar online auction site (picture attached).
I'm wondering if anyone can give me some idea as to when Orvis would have offered this bag.
I can tell this bag has some age to it (I'm guessing it's from the 1970's or 80's). It's in very nice condition and appears almost bulletproof. I've just replaced the two brass D-rings that secure the top strap to the bag. The only other issue worth mentioning is two small holes in the fabric where a plaque (now missing) would have been attached to the front of the bag (likely with the original owner's name).
I'd be very interested in hearing from anyone having a similar Orvis-marked bag who can provide any more details about its age.
Thanks.
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jhuskey
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#2

Post by jhuskey »

You are in the correct span of years, and even 90's.

St Vrain Angler
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#3

Post by St Vrain Angler »

According to the Spring 1988 Orvis catalog, they were marketed as "Battenkill Kit Bags/Camera Bags" (Item C in the photo below). I got my original standard size in the 1980s and liked it so much I found two more on the Bay after it was discontinued. One is my carry-on, the other two for tackle, and I always get positive comments/questions about them. Whatever you paid, you got a good deal.

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NewUtahCaneAngler
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#4

Post by NewUtahCaneAngler »

These would have been made by Gokeys, which was later purchased by Orvis. I have a large duffle, a small duffle (both tagged Gokeys), and an Orvis stamped early Gladstone version (later versions used less leather trim) of this style of bag, and I find them quite useful. My '76 catalog has a similar bag, but made of different material and likely not made by Gokey of MN.

Here is my Gladstone bag, which appears to be the Tac-L bag without the rod straps. Might need to have some added as I alway felt that this bag should have a means to attach a rod!
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Cheers,
Joe
Last edited by NewUtahCaneAngler on 02/01/21 05:53, edited 4 times in total.

LakesideAl
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#5

Post by LakesideAl »

Thanks to St Vrain Angler & NewUtahCaneAngler for all the information provided in your replies.

LakesideAl

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Brian K. Shaffer
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#6

Post by Brian K. Shaffer »

I also thought of it possibly being made by Gokey...
" There's no such thing as a fly fisherman wholly satisfied with his casting performance. " ~ Jim Green (1971)
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer

The struggling ant gets eaten quickly ;)

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gt05254
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#7

Post by gt05254 »

Does it have a "Made in USA" tag inside it somewhere?
Gary

NewUtahCaneAngler
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#8

Post by NewUtahCaneAngler »

I guess that I should have said Gokeys with the "s". Clearly these Orvis bags were made by Gokeys, which was later purchased by Orvis. The Gokeys "hunter" imprint was replaced with Orvis' crossed rods.

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Well, I stand correct(ed); it appears that the Gokey Company (without the "s") was used at some point
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Last edited by NewUtahCaneAngler on 02/01/21 05:54, edited 2 times in total.

photoguy
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#9

Post by photoguy »

I don't know if this is an earlier version or a completely different model of bag, but I purchased this in the late 70's...and I still use it today. This is not the original strap, but a later replacement compliment of Orvis- when the clips on the ends of the original strap broke they were nice enough to send this as a replacement. The original strap color was more brown, not green as shown and the end clips were silver.

Imagemy betta fish belly swollen

NewUtahCaneAngler
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#10

Post by NewUtahCaneAngler »

Photoguy, does that bag have the crossed rods imprint, or Orvis imprinted in the leather? I believe that Your bag is an earlier bag marketed by Orvis, who only later reallized that Gokeys was the leader in this category and moved to them as the manufacturer and acquired them in 1990

photoguy
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#11

Post by photoguy »

NewUtahCaneAngler wrote:Photoguy, does that bag have the crossed rods imprint, or Orvis imprinted in the leather? I believe that Your bag is an earlier bag marketed by Orvis, who only later reallized that Gokeys was the leader in this category and moved to them as the manufacturer and acquired them in 1990
If I had to guess, I'd say 1978 or so...

Imagementally strong meaning

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prairieschooner
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#12

Post by prairieschooner »

photoguy wrote:I don't know if this is an earlier version or a completely different model of bag, but I purchased this in the late 70's...and I still use it today. This is not the original strap, but a later replacement compliment of Orvis- when the clips on the ends of the original strap broke they were nice enough to send this as a replacement. The original strap color was more brown, not green as shown and the end clips were silver.

Imagemy betta fish belly swollen
I have that bag as well; great bag! It's my truck bag; holds all the stuff I don't want to carry. Love those Gokeys bags; very cool!

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I spent most of my money on shotguns, fly rods, guitars and banjos. The rest I just wasted. (Apologies to W.C. Fields)

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gt05254
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#13

Post by gt05254 »

I have a dozen or so assorted Orvis bags. They've all been very good to me...but I'm really attached to the few I have that say "Made in USA".

This briefcase and the suit bag are both, like me, million milers on Delta:
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And my never leave home without it bag:
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I can't find a USA label on any of my other Orvis duffles and bags and some of them are quite old. LOL, I also made the mistake of buying that Magnum rolling duffle they produced for a while. It would cost a couple hundred in oversize/weight fees to fly with the thing (which I don't do anymore so no big deal)....but loaded I can't even pick it up!
Gary

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Hellmtflies
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#14

Post by Hellmtflies »

Fun stuff! Here's a toiletry bag from Orvis that has more miles on it than I do. I received this as a gift back in 1986. I don't think it was made by Gokey as it doesn't have the Gokey tag anywhere on it. But it does to appear to have been made by them.

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Greg Reynolds
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#15

Post by Greg Reynolds »

The green canvas bags & luggage were made by Gokey and marketed by Orvis as their "Battenkill Luggage" line from 1986 through 2004. Orvis bought Gokey in the late-1980s/early-1990s and sold them to Boyt in 2020.

The tan bags were cataloged by Orvis from before 1954 through 1988 as their "Deluxe Kit Bag" line. I don't who made them, but there's an ancient forum thread that names the maker. I believe that Orvis sourced their canvas rod rods from that maker.

I've owned multiples of each for many years and although the Gokey products are more robust, they're both very good.

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creakycane
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Re: Orvis Gear Bag (Any Idea of Age?)

#16

Post by creakycane »

I own a number of the tan deluxe bags that have numerous internal dividers and external pockets. They are in my storage filled with fly boxes and reels. Some are tinged very light olive ( the ones with more leather trim): others are more bleached color…. I also own a gokey/Orvis mason’s ( Gladstone) bag that is fairly large, but very heavy. Love those bags and old filson canvas bags, but they are fairly heavy to carry, even empty. Good for the car/truck, but they won’t see serious travel.

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