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Updated: Mar 23rd, 2008 - 17:57:25
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Her father, Pete Van Gytenbeek, was the first executive director of Trout Unlimited (currently "Van"is the executive director of the Federation of Fly Fishers FFF) and he instilled in Kate a deep love and appreciation for all things swimming which she carries today. A firm proponent of catch and release some of her first fishing memories involve sneaking along the riverbanks "releasing" other fisherman's catches never mind that the poor trout were undoubtedly already dead it was the thought that counted- and her father who suffered the reprimands with a smile on his face. Kate continues her exploration of exotic and interesting fishing destinations as well as those in her own backyard. It was during one of those expeditions that Randall Bryett came into the picture.
On assignment in Australia for Fly Fishing in Salt Waters magazine, Kate was covering the participation of Billy and Jody Pate in an international fly fishing tournament in Mooloolaba (central east coast of Australia). As press, Kate was not fishing, just reporting. Randall Bryett was the captain for Billy Pate and Kate spent much of the tournament on the flybridge with the captain well, the rest is history.
Randall grew up on the beautiful Sunshine Coast of Australia with some of the world's best fishing around every corner and he certainly took advantage of it. As a child he fished on every beach, in every river and pond he could walk, bike or hitchhike to (old habits are hard to break and you are most likely to run into Randall on the water be it local waters, Belize , Mexico , Florida or back in Australia). He attended Maritime Academy full time in 1992 with dreams of running his own boat. He worked the local hotspots of Mooloolaba as a deckhand and multiple seasons on the prestigious Lizard Island (Barrier Reef) chasing the Giant Black Marlin. As he will tell you,"mate, there is nothing on this planet that is remotely like catching a grander (1,000+ lb marlin), wiring them close, tagging them, and watching them go the most incredible animal in the world!"
Randall has worked in many aspects of the fishing industry, specialty tackle shops, rod making, charter operations, tourism marketing and promotion. With this background he was invited to share his knowledge at boat shows and fishing club meetings in Australia. Although he claims that the seminar show stuff is best left for "experts and the famous" (as he does not consider himself to be any more than "just a fisherman"), he was seen on the circuit for more than a few years. Respected by his peers for his knowledge of fishing and technique, which he attributes to being "just information" passed on from his mentors, eventually he was driving his own sport fisher. Ironically the Wahoo was the boat on which he held his first deckhand job and for a time it was his own. For the time being, however, Randall traded Wahoo in for an American wife
Although Randall's initial thoughts about fly fishing vs tackle fishing are not printable, he has come to love this new challenge in his life and can speak with expertise on all methods. Initially, AAFC was a natural way for Randall to stay in touch with his fishing friends, acquaintances and co-workers in Australia but it has grown into something more. Not only are we a unique source of information on Australia and many other exotic destinations but we will also lead groups of anglers and intrepid explorers to various locales. Kate is a certified Aussie Specialist (a formal designation from the Australia Tourist Commission) and has experienced more trips to Australian remote fisheries than many Australians have. She will share her unbridled passion for the beauty and seemingly limitless bounty of Australia openly. Randall, being an Aussie, had trouble adjusting to the not so wide open spaces of the USA, but he is having a great time learning the American version of English and of course learning about the local fish and fisheries.
Let us help you plan the trip of a lifetime, or maybe take you on one! Give us a call.
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