It's About More Than Just Fishing....
Mike, Katie, Lady…. and the Paradise Valley backdrop
We were lucky enough to host Global Fishing adventures on a three boat trip on the Yellowstone River on April 10 this year. The water conditions were not ideal. It rained for 2 straight days prior to the trip. It was very windy and cold. It is a good thing that Global Fishing Adventures’s crew was ready to go! The crew came from Oregon, Minnesota, and Australia- a true global event. I was blessed to have Katie and her father, Mike, in my boat. Both of them were first time fly-anglers. What they lacked in experience, they more than made up for in . gusto and heart. The story about how they came to Livingston, Montana is best told by Katie herself in her Facebook post from April 16, 2019:
· “People are truly amazing. As many of you know, my father was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic and liver cancers about six months ago. It’s been a very difficult journey, full of more than a few twists and turns. Matt Price, the Global Adventure Fishing team, and I planned a surprise trip for Dad more than three months ago, not knowing if he would even be well enough to travel, or what the future would hold. Dad was asked to choose a bucket-list destination and a fish species that he’s always wanted to catch...he decided he wanted to go fly fishing for the first time on the Yellowstone River in Montana. Time for us to catch some trout!
The GAF team traveled to Montana from Australia and different parts of the US to give Dad a fishing trip of a lifetime. He has always wanted to try fly fishing, and has never caught a trout in his life. We were determined to make that happen, and give him an experience he would never forget.
It’s safe to say that this trip was life-changing for all of us. It was so emotional, so spiritual, and so truly beautiful. Montana’s snow-capped mountains and glistening rivers are perfect works of art by God. We spent a full day floating down the Yellowstone River with the incredible guides at Yellowstone River Outfitters, and Dad and I had many opportunities to marvel at the amazing views and try to land a trout amongst 20 mph winds. We had many casts and many close calls the first day, but Dad and I couldn’t get a fish in the boat. We had a full second day to make it happen.
We opted to use our second and final day of fishing to walk the banks of the Yellowstone River in search of beautiful brown and rainbow trout. Fellow Deeper Hero Paul saw me post about the trip on my Facebook page, mentioned that he lives in the area, and offered to give us advice on where to fish. He did way more than that...he took a half day from work, made the trek from a couple hours away from home, and joined us on our quest. How amazing to meet a fellow Deeper Hero in person, and fish alongside him!
Mid-afternoon, our luck finally started to turn, as I landed my first brown trout, and Dad caught a whitefish on his fly rod. But the trout were still being shy with Dad, and I was starting to get nervous that it might not happen. We went to another spot, and the team landed more trout, but Dad was diligently casting to no avail. At our third and final spot, the full team was persistent in helping Dad land his bucket-list catch...and in the last few minutes we had to fish, Dad finally caught a beautiful brown trout!!! NEVER give up. ❤️
This video can’t come close to articulating how incredible this trip was for all of us, but it sure helps us to relive the priceless memories we will have for the rest of our lives. What I do know is that this was the most special trip my dad and I have ever had, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Matt Price of Global Adventure Fishing. Matt’s generosity, planning, and support created this unforgettable memory for Dad and I. A huge thank you to Matt, to the kindness and good hearts of Chris, Chuck,Kimberly, Jade, and Paul, as well as to all of you and your continued prayers for Dad. God is so very good. 🐟💜” -Katie Corgiat Facebook Post- April 16, 2019
All by herself!
Katie and Mike- Thanks so much for such a memorable day on the water. It is a day that we will never forget. Our conversations about fishing, life, and the life of fishing were some of the most enjoyable I have had on the river. Thanks for spending a day in my boat!
Tight Lines,
Yellowstone River Outfitters
Mike learning how to string up a fly-rod
Yellowstone Brown Trout
Spring Rainbow on the Yellowstone
Lunch with the GFA crew
Please enjoy this video recorded and published by Katie from their trip to Montana. Please note that all YRO trips practice catch and release fishing during the trip. If you want to keep a few, you are welcome to fish and harvest on your own after the trip with the full knowledge of our fish species and limits. here is a link to the 2019 regulations.