Matthew Frederick Minch

It is with deep sorrow that we report the death of Matthew “Matt” Minch of Gardiner, Montana on June 3, 2023, just shy of his 88th birthday. He had been a very skilled and influential fly fisherman and fly tying aficionado of the modern era.

Matt began fishing as a young man, learning his craft on Pennsylvania streams & rivers. He went on to develop his own style of tying flies and his patterns made appearances in fly fishing magazines and continue to be marketed today.

Born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania to Matthew and Gladys Minch, he was raised in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania along with his younger siblings Dennis, Michael and Barbara “Bonnie”.

Graduating from Octorara High School and West Chester University, he then entered the Army where he served until 1963.

Once discharged from the Army, Matt made his way to Ten Sleep, Wyoming where he had a very successful career as a teacher and basketball coach all the while fishing and fishing and fishing!

Upon retirement at the early age of 49, Matt moved to Gardiner, Montana where he lived the remainder of his years.

The love of fly fishing led Matt to New Zealand for 17 consecutive years where he fished the Ahuriri

River. He loved leaving the cold Montana winters for two months to return as the season changed and he could fish the Yellowstone, various mountain creeks and his favorite, the Gardner River.

Matt was predeceased by his parents and his survivors include brother, Dennis (wife, Carol) of Kennett Square, PA; sister, Barbara “Bonnie” Hogg (husband, Bill) of Peach Bottom, PA; and brother, Michael (wife, MaryBeth) of Jefferson, MD along with several nieces and nephews.

He will be sadly missed.

Services will be private.