Online fly fishing company thrives in Newbury 

NEWBURY — Each month, more than 6,000 fly-fishing anglers across the world receive care packages containing handcrafted flies and other tools of the trade.

And unbeknownst to most people is that the folks creating those flies and sending them everywhere are in Newbury, just down the road from the Route 1 traffic circle in Newburyport. 

Postfly has been at its Newburyport Turnpike site for more than a year. But conceding that many might not have heard of the company, it will open its doors Wednesday for an open house and holiday party. 

"A lot of people in the area don't know we are here even though we've been here for a while," Robin Pinzone of Postfly said recently.  

The company is subscription-based and sells boxes of flies catering to all kinds of fly fishers from saltwater to warm-water enthusiasts.

Each month, hand-tied flies are chosen based on insect hatch patterns. The flies feature work by different fly tiers around the country. The plans start at $19.99 per month. 

Postfly owner Brian Runnals said the company started in Boston but moved to the Newburyport area a year ago.  

"It works out pretty well. We are thrilled to be here," Runnals said. 

Postfly's store features rods, fishing apparel, T-shirts and fly-tying work stations where visitors can create their own flies. Visitors can also stop by for workshops run by fly fishing experts. 

"The store is less about selling and more about creating a resource for fly fishermen and to teach new people," Runnals said. 

Chris Johnston of the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce said Postfly is the type of innovative company that is in demand right now.

"Mail-order subscriptions are hot and they are capitalizing on that," Johnston said. "What’s exciting about a company like Postfly is that you can go anywhere in the country and when you see their products, you can say, ‘Hey, that’s made right down the street from me.'" 

The open house Wednesday is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 101 Newburyport Turnpike (Route 1). The food comes courtesy of Port Sandwich Company while Newburyport Brewing Company will provide beverages.

More information on Postfly is available at its website, subscribe.postflybox.com, or its Facebook page, facebook.com/thepostflyco/ 

Dave Rogers may be contacted at drogers@gloucestertimes.com