Why the Flying Pig? Make Pigs Fly.
It started with a question a lot of us have asked: now what?
Fresh off a basketball career at Wabash College, Geoff Faerber headed west to fly-fish with his dad. On the banks of the Yellowstone, he watched the water drift by and wondered where it ended up. The Gulf of Mexico, it turned out, and the thought stuck.
He spent the winter in Gardiner gathering three friends, two sea kayaks, and sponsorships for the Achieve Your Dreams Expedition, raising money for Boys & Girls Clubs along the way. Over 122 days, fueled by tuna and peanut butter, they made it from the Yellowstone to the Gulf.
He came home with a new dream: a business of his own. The Flying Pig Camp Store opened in 2002, the Raft Company in 2003. Geoff believed in chasing what seemed out of reach and helping others push past their comfort zones. For some that’s a finish line; for others, a first whitewater trip or a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Yellowstone. That’s what “Make Pigs Fly” has always meant.
He became a beloved fixture in Gardiner, welcoming everyone through the door and nudging staff, guests, and kids to try something new. He married, raised two sons, and spent years building community around the river and the wild lands of the West.
The Legacy Continues
Today that legacy belongs to childhood friends Patrick Sipp and Kenny Straus. Both came up as river guides, and in 2019 they bought the company they’d come to love. They’re hands-on owners: in summer you’ll find them on the Pig Deck and on the river, and in the off-season it’s usually Pat himself who answers the phone.
Pat met his wife Libby, a former Flying Pig guide and now co-owner, on the Yellowstone in 2016. When she’s not at the hospital, she’s on the deck or on the river.
Where We’re Headed
The Flying Pig has always been a place to build community, chase dreams, and try something new, big or small. The folks behind the counter and at the oars mean it, and our hope is simple: to meet people where they are and invite them to grow. Plenty of former “piggies” still call Montana home, running businesses and raising families of their own.
Take a trip, grab a t-shirt, and know you’re joining a tribe that gives back. May the Pig always be a positive force for Gardiner, for Yellowstone, for our staff, and for every guest who lets their pig fly.
Meet the Team
Kenny Straus
Co-Owner
Kenny grew up coming to Montana after every baseball season to fly fish and camp with his dad and close family friends. After a season in the Mariners organization, he decided to come out and guide. He spends his summers in Montana and the rest of the year in the Lowcountry with his wife Audrey and their son, Izzy.
Patrick & Libby Sipp
Co-Owners
Pat grew up in Georgia and went to school with his longtime friend and now business partner, Kenny Straus. After tagging along on one of Kenny’s summer fishing trips, he knew he had to move out West and try his hand on the river. He met Libby guiding on the Yellowstone in 2016 and is still doing his best to keep up with her skills on the water. They live in Livingston, MT with their newborn and their dog, Otis.
Ava Torres
Office Manager
Often the first face you’ll see at the Flying Pig, Ava greets everyone with a smile and is an integral part of the experience. She has a passion for Yellowstone and for trying new things, and she’s an accomplished baker, master knitter, certified movie buff, and amateur banjo player on the side. This is Ava’s fifth season at the Pig.
Jaxon Muller
Rafting Manager & Big Rig Driver
Jaxon hails from Texas and is our rafting manager and overnight specialist. Jax first came through on a family rafting trip as a kid and started his own guiding career in 2020. He’s a magician on the water, and his love for the river shows on every trip. If you book an overnight with Jax, come hungry. He’s widely considered the best chef at the Pig, and spends his off-seasons hosting food pop-ups around Southwest Montana. This is Jaxon’s seventh season.
Ella Neubauer
Rafting Manager
Ella was born and raised in Bozeman, MT, where she grew up skiing Bridger Bowl, rafting, playing hockey and soccer, and working in the family restaurant. She’s been guiding at the Flying Pig since she was 18
and is back for her fifth season.
Owen Miller
Rafting Manager & Big Rig Driver
Owen came to Montana by way of Boise (or “Boy-C,” if you ask him to say it) by way of Texas. The official pirate of the Flying Pig, he’s one of the most genuine, good-natured guys you’ll ever meet. He’s a talented raft guide who can rip down a black diamond and toss a pizza with the grace of a synchronized swimmer. He’s back for his fifth season.
Otis
Official Greeter & Mascot
You’ll usually find Otis sunning himself on the Deck. He loves pets, long walks on the beach, and picking up the full-day trip. Give him a scratch when you stop by!