NRS and Orvis Launch Approach 120 Raft for Remote Fly-Fishing Water

NRS and Orvis have combined their experience in inflatable boats and fly fishing to create a special-edition Approach 120 Fishing Raft. The compact craft is designed for anglers who want to reach shallow or remote water that can be difficult for heavier drift boats, while keeping enough stability and equipment space for a full day of fishing.

A lighter way to reach less accessible fishing water

The Approach 120 is intended for rivers, lakes and shallow fisheries where a larger drift boat or heavy raft can be awkward to launch or manoeuvre. Its inflatable construction makes transport and storage simpler, particularly for anglers who do not have space for a permanently trailered boat.

That portability can widen the range of water available on a weekend trip. A boat that can travel in a vehicle rather than on a trailer is easier to take to small access points, remote campsites or destinations where launching infrastructure is limited.

NRS boatbuilding meets Orvis fishing experience

The collaboration pairs NRS’s background in inflatable watercraft with Orvis’s knowledge of fly-fishing equipment and guide operations. The package is designed around the practical needs of anglers, rather than treating fishing as an afterthought added to a general-purpose raft.

Storage, standing stability and the ability to move quietly through water are important considerations when casting or approaching fish. A compact fishing platform also needs enough deck organisation to keep rods, tackle and personal equipment under control without cluttering the working area.

Shallow water is where compact craft make sense

Large boats can offer comfort and carrying capacity, but they can also draw more water and require better access. A smaller inflatable raft can be more useful in narrow channels, shallower reaches and places where anglers need to launch from an undeveloped bank.

That does not mean every small raft is suitable for every river. Flow rate, obstacles, water temperature and local regulations all matter, and anglers should choose a craft and personal safety equipment suited to the actual conditions they expect to encounter.

Fishing trips become easier to combine with travel

A portable raft can make fishing part of a wider camping or road-trip itinerary rather than the only purpose of the journey. That flexibility suits anglers who want to explore several waters during one trip or who share vehicle space with family and other outdoor equipment.

For LBG readers, the Approach 120 is an example of how compact leisure craft can open up different styles of water access. The strongest appeal is not outright performance but the freedom to reach places that would be difficult to explore with a conventional larger boat.

Official sources: www.nrs.com.