It is my understanding that Orvis has it's own rod manufacturing place their headquarters in Manchester, Vt. and that they give visitors and students attending their schools tours of the place. Maybe what they actually do is purchase the blanks elsewhere and do the finishing/assembly in Manchester. Also, what about Lefty's endorsements of the TFO rods? Wouldn't he actually be working for/ undser some sort of contract deal with Orvis if that is true?