NRS and Orvis Launch Special-Edition Approach 120: The Ultimate Stealth Fishing Craft For Untouched Waters

MOSCOW, Idaho — Northwest River Supplies (NRS), the world leader in paddlesports, and Orvis, the family-owned-and-operated leader in fly fishing gear, apparel and experiences, have joined forces to launch their first collaborative fishing craft: the Orvis Approach 120 Fishing Raft Package.

Combining NRS’ decades of inflatable boat engineering with Orvis’ deep understanding of fly fishing, the Approach 120 is a precision-built raft designed to access skinny water and remote fisheries that larger drift boats and heavy rafts simply cannot reach.

“Whether it’s building industry leading fly rods, hosting trips with endorsed guides and operations across the world, or getting you rigged at one of our stores or dealers, Orvis has always been about bringing the best possible experience on the water,” says Wayne Rock, General Manager of Fish/Hunt at Orvis. “Together with NRS’s expertise and collaboration, we’ve developed a raft with endless opportunities. No boat ramp? No problem. No trailer? No problem. Getting to less pressured fish has never been easier. You may even throw the first fly a fish has seen.”

Built for two anglers and one rower, the Approach’s lightweight, streamlined design allows it to be transported in a standard truck bed or atop an SUV, eliminating the need for a trailer and expanding the boundaries of where anglers can launch.

“The goal of this collaboration was to strip away the bulk without sacrificing performance,” says Mike Dolmage, Director of Fish at NRS. “By combining a thick 6-inch drop-stitch floor with diminishing tube diameters, we’ve created a craft that drafts in inches of water, provides a stable casting platform and moves with the stealth of a much smaller boat.”

Key Features of the NRS x Orvis Approach 120:

• Winner of the 2026 Fly Fishing Show Consumers Choice Awards for Best Boat/Personal Watercraft.
• Purpose-built for stealth, the Approach rafts combine smaller tubes with a thick drop-stitch floor insert to enhance buoyancy, letting it draft in really skinny water.
• Ultra-lightweight design for easy transport. All Approach Rafts can fit in a standard truck bed or atop a jeep or SUV.
• Adjustable Slot Rail engineering creates a modular frame that easily adjusts to keep anglers comfortable and the boat balanced for superior rowing performance.
• The Approach Dry Box seat platform provides convenient external trays and an internal waterproof storage compartment, keeping gear dry and organized and reducing trip hazards.
• Orvis Approach 120 Guide Package (sold separately) includes a 2:1 assist pulley, making retrieving anchors an effortless task, 24-pound Tornado anchor and an Orvis XL Wide-Mouth Guide Net.

NRS and Orvis representatives available for comment. Limited Orvis Approach 120 fishing rafts available for field testing.

Availability — The Orvis Approach 120 is available for pre-order at nrs.com and select Orvis retailers for $6,495.00, with an optional Guide Package available for $995.00.

Media Contacts:
Emily Nuchols for NRS // emily@undersolenmedia.com // 360.510.8696
Chris Hong for Orvis // christopher.hong@rygr.us // 970.924.0704 ext. 2103

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About NRS

100% employee-owned, NRS is the world’s leading supplier of equipment and apparel for water recreation, safety and rescue. Founded in 1972 with a vision to create a better kind of company, NRS is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of its customers, employees and community. For more information on NRS, visit https://www.nrs.com/, email the company at service@nrs.com or call 877.677.4327.

About Orvis

Founded in 1856, outdoor retailer Orvis is the trusted guide to the adventure and wonder in nature. Orvis operates more than 35 retail stores around the United States and maintains a network of over 500 dealers worldwide as a trusted source of discovery and adventure in the natural world through fly fishing, wingshooting and our connection with dogs. A purpose-led company, Orvis was one of the first to establish a corporate philanthropy program in the 1980s. The company commits 5% of pretax profits each year to ensuring the sustainable future of fly fishing, wingshooting, and the natural world for future generations. To learn more visit https://www.orvis.com/.