Traveling Angler Profile: Fly Fishing the World with Kate Taylor

Kate Taylor Oregon Steelhead

Kate Taylor guides out of Oregon, Alaska, and Baja through Frigate Adventure Travel and also travels to additional destinations in between guiding. Taylor recently took time to interview with the Venturing Angler:

Where in the world have you fly fished?

I’ve fished in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Baja, Christmas Island, B.C., Louisiana, Scotland, and Honduras.

What is your favorite destination and why?

Pacific Northwest. Deep inside I know this is my home. It’s where I cut my teeth on salmon and steelhead, found my partner, and call home when I am away. I feel a connection to this area unlike I’ve ever had and a deep desire to be a steward of its wildness.

Do you have any travel coming up?

My boyfriend, Justin, our dog, Kada, and I are leaving for Baja in a few weeks and will be there through the month of May before heading to Alaska for the summer.

Kate Taylor and Justin Crump in Baja

Is there a specie that you are dying to catch? What is it about that fish?

I’d really like to hook into a tarpon. I treasure the jump of a fish more than any other part of the ‘fighting’ experience. I want to see a tarpon unhinging on the end of my line and bow to it.

When you are not on the water, what do you want the most out of a trip and why?

Good company with lots of laughs and yummy food with at least one spaghetti meal.

Kate Taylor Christmas Island Bonefish

What is your dream trip and why?

My closest fly fishing buddies, our dogs, with an endless budget and time to go screw around in a remote saltwater location but also have an environmental purpose. Bring some good change to a suffering fishery while drinking cold beers in the sun on the sand and catching fish….that jump.

If one song where to play in a video short of your last fly fishing trip, what would it be?

I’ve been singing Willie Nelson a lot lately-mostly bad renditions of Always on My Mind. Justin just scared me by telling me Willie Nelson died-the horror!- but it was a death hoax and then yesterday my friend just sent me a rad t-shirt, ‘Have a Willie Nice Day’ so I think it’s all fitting.

What is the one piece of gear you couldn’t bear to leave at home?

Who leaves home with only one piece of gear? I can’t even take that challenge.

Kate Taylor Bristol Bay

As you have traveled, what environmental issues have most concerned you?

Government corruption. From the coast of Oregon to Alaska, B.C., the beaches of Baja, I’m appalled by governments lying in bed with big industry and looking the other way while communities and wildlife suffer from lack of clean air and water or the threat of impending damage to that. I always thought in America we were protected by someone looking out for public health safety. Boy was I wrong.

Until our government starts working for the people, communities will always be battling to protect their right to clean air and water. Basic human rights that I think should be in the Constitution and not up for sale.

To check out more from Kate Taylor, please click here.

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