Thousands of miles apart, Oakmont brothers stay close through fishing
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Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things they do.
A love of fly fishing and a love of helping people thousands of miles away has bonded a pair of Oakmont brothers.
Matt Geppert and his older brother, Sam, grew up in the borough with their parents, Mark and Ellie.
Every so often, the men would explore brooks, streams and other water spots as far as Smethport, McKean County.
“When we were growing up, we loved to fish with our dad,” Matt Geppert said. “He traveled a lot. When he would come home, we would go out and we would fish. We really didn’t get into fly fishing until we were adults and just started to love it. It’s always been a place for us to retreat, escape, get away, get refreshed, recreate and enjoy God’s creation.
”Sam took it to the whole next level.”
Fly fishing is a method that uses lightweight lures called artificial flies to catch fish. Casters use a specialized weighted line and rod, as well as casting techniques different than those of traditional fishing .
The recreational activity would prove to be a big influence on Sam Geppert.
He’s been a fly fishing guide for about 18 years.
Geppert graduated from Riverview High School in 1995. His younger brother followed suit in 1998.
Sam Geppert, 42, graduated from Duquesne University with a bachelor’s degree in sports marketing.
Matt Geppert, 39, studied at West Virginia University and would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental protection from the University of Montana.
A visit to see his sibling in “the Treasure State” would convince Sam Geppert to move to Big Sky, a community in the Rocky Mountains of southern Montana. He said the move was huge for his fly fishing career. Matt Geppert still lives in Oakmont.
Fishing meets missionary work
Quite separately, their parents felt a calling to help people overseas. They founded the South East Asia Prayer Center in Oakmont in 1991, and Mark Geppert has made numerous mission trips to Cambodia since 1994.
Matt Geppert joined his father at SEAPC in 2003 and took over as president in 2014 after his father retired.
The organization built 16 homes and currently helps about 500 children in Cambodia.
A trip to its Banteay Meanchey province in November 2015 would open the brothers’ eyes to new opportunities.
“We’re meeting the needs of orphaned and abandoned children, and we had an invitation to start helping public schools and developing micro economic programs for them,” Matt Geppert said. “In that process, Sam had some time between the fishing seasons, and I asked if he would come over to Cambodia with me to do a trip together.”
The brothers determined it was feasible to develop fly fishing-related opportunities there and offer high school graduates work and possible scholarships.
They created the Geppert Brothers Fly Fishing Foundation in 2016 to do just that.
“We just found a natural fit (and) need in Cambodia for work producing materials and using the flies,” Sam Geppert said. “My level of fishing and his love of missions kind of put it together. (Cambodia) is beautiful. But it’s very poor. My brother’s work made it work for us. … It’s a small business to give people some hope, and give people some work and pay them a good wage. It’s to teach a trade.
Geppert lived in Cambodia for three months to share his fishing knowledge.
“It feels awesome,” he said. “My dad was a missonary, so I grew up traveling the world doing missions work. It’s just been part of life for us since we were young, and it’s awesome to be able to contribute to it.”
The foundation’s grown to 13 full-time workers including manager Chhun Nang. The flies made in Cambodia are shipped to the United States and sold in fishing shops.
Matt Geppert said revenue varies based on sales, but most workers make at least $50 more per month than Cambodian high school teachers and have a better quality of life.
“If it wasn’t for (Sam) taking his time and his ability (to Cambodia), there’s no chance this would ever happen,” Geppert said. “He’s done that sacrificially. He believes in it and really his skills and talents have made this possible. God is faithful and he answers prayer. That’s the story of my life, and that the story of this organization.”
Sam Geppert said he’s concentrating on family, including his soon-to-be 1-year-old daughter, Penelope, and plans to return to Cambodia soon. Matt Geppert returns there every few months.
The closest shop in Western Pennsylvania to carry the Cambodian flies is International Angler along Steubenville Pike in Pittsburgh. Flies can also be purchased in Montana at Wild Trout Outfitters in Gallatin Gateway and Madison River Fishing Co. in Ennis.
“Their standard for excellence is at the very highest,” Matt Geppert said of the shops. “The flies that we produce have to be a high quality to be purchased and used by those guides in those shops. We really need (more) shops to pick up our flies so we can start meeting the needs of more youth over there.”
People can also support the effort through a $20 per month subscription through the foundation for a box of five unique and meticulously handcrafted flies and other swag delivered to their door.