On the Real with Ubuntu Fly Anglers

In this episode of On The Real, host Bob Bartlett sits down with young fly angler Timothy Lensey to discuss his journey from fishing South Carolina waters as a child to becoming a passionate fly fisherman pursuing redfish, stripers, and other species on the fly. Timothy shares stories of his first unforgettable catch, an alligator! Tim had a self-taught path into fly fishing, and his vision for ma...

In this episode of On the Real, Nicole Tracy-Lewis speaks with Ontario angler Ann Brissette about finding joy, healing, and connection through ice fishing and fly fishing. Ann shares how a winter hobby evolved into a deep love of wild places, backcountry lakes, and life on the water, while reflecting on injury, resilience, and the importance of slowing down and appreciating the outdoors. Together,...

In this episode, Dudley Edmondson joins the show to share his powerful journey from growing up in the urban core of Columbus, Ohio to building a life centered around nature in Duluth, Minnesota. He reflects on how fishing local rivers as a kid and escaping into the natural world helped him navigate personal challenges, ultimately shaping his path as a wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and author....

In this episode of On The Reel, Kaith Palmaria shares her journey into fly fishing, a passion she discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic while working as a nurse. What began as a way to cope with stress quickly evolved into a life-changing pursuit, leading her from her home waters on Alberta’s Bow River to unforgettable fishing experiences around the world, including hosting trips in Argentina ta...

Dr. Yolanda Edwards, founder of Her Waters , Inc. and retired Army veteran, sits down with Ubuntu Fly Anglers podcast manager Alisha Bartlett for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about fishing, healing, and representation. Dr. Edwards learned to fish from her mother, who learned from her grandmother, a three-generation legacy of anglers. Yolanda’s work is not new. She founded the nonprofit R...

After climbing the corporate ladder and building a successful career, Ashley White found his world unraveling after a traumatic medical crisis nearly took his wife’s life. In this deeply personal episode, Ash, now known as The Gentleman Lumberjack, opens up about his battle with anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts, and how traditional systems of support fell short. It was not until he began meeti...

In this episode of On the Real, host Bob Bartlett welcomes Dr. Loleta Robinson, a passionate fly angler, world traveler, and member of the Ubuntu Fly Anglers leadership team. Loleta shares her journey into fly fishing as a Black woman, the importance of finding community in the outdoors, and the power of embracing imperfection on and off the water. Their conversation is a heartfelt reflection on b...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Bob Bartlett sits down with Erica Nelson, fly fishing guide, social justice advocate, and founder of REAL Consulting. For an inspiring conversation about identity, community, and the transformative power of fly fishing. Erica shares her unique journey from studying narcissism in online dating profiles to becoming one of the most recognized and respected voic...

In this heartfelt episode of On the Reel, host Bob Bartlett speaks with Angel Massie, co-founder of Wanderland Outdoors, about building a more inclusive and healing outdoor experience for Black and Brown communities. Angel shares how her childhood by the Chesapeake Bay, her career in journalism, and her training in mindfulness all led to creating a nature-based guiding business alongside her husba...

In this episode of On the Reel, host Bob Bartlett welcomes fly fishing guide, mentor, and community advocate Scot Simmons for a candid conversation about living with purpose both on and off the water. From his early days fishing Minnesota lakes with his father to guiding trips and mentoring youth today, Scot reflects on how fly fishing became a source of healing, identity, and joy. He shares how o...

Sometimes a funny mishap is the doorway to something bigger. In this episode of On The Real, host Bob Bartlett talks with Angelica Talan , a longtime DC resident, content creator, and mom whose fly fishing story began when her daughter asked her to take her to the water. What followed was a smelly weekend of catfish forgotten in a car trunk, a leap into fly fishing, and eventually a new role as a...

In this powerful episode of On The Real, host Bob Bartlett sits down with Pacific Northwest fishing guide and filmmaker Captain Lael Johnson. Lael shares his journey from growing up in Topeka, Kansas to becoming a respected steelhead and salmon guide on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. He opens up about the struggles he faced along the way, the leap of faith it took to follow his passion, and the p...

In this episode, we sit down with Lino Jubilado, an angler whose story flows from the streets of East Los Angeles to the currents of the LA River. Lino reflects on how fishing first took root in his childhood, grew through competitive bass tournaments, and eventually led him to the world of fly fishing, casting for carp in the heart of the city. Along the way, he shares what it means to find peace...

In this episode of On The Real, host Bob Bartlett sits down with Carl Crawford , co-founder of the Ubuntu Fly Anglers Network, to reflect on the journey through 2024 so far. From navigating challenges to celebrating milestones, this conversation explores key lessons learned and the vision shaping the future. Grounded in community, connection, and the spirit of Ubuntu, Carl offers a candid look at...

In this inspiring episode of On the Real, host Bob Bartlett of the Ubuntu Anglers Network sits down with Analiza del Rosario, a seasoned fly angler, marketing professional, and community advocate, to explore her journey from growing up on a rice farm in the Philippines to becoming a passionate leader in the fly fishing world. Analiza shares how a work assignment unexpectedly launched her into fly...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Mario G., founder of Taco Fly Co., fly fishing guide, culture shifter, industry disruptor, and proud ambassador for Brown Folks Fishing. Mario opens up about his upbringing as a Mexican American in San Jose, how skateboarding and fishing shaped his life, and why inclusion isn’t a strategy, it’s just who he is. From the banks of the Tri...

Al is a passionate fly angler whose unexpected journey into the sport has taken him from urban Indiana waters to international fishing destinations. More than just a fishing story, Al’s path reflects personal transformation, a deepening connection to nature, and a commitment to uplifting visibility for anglers of color through the Ubuntu Fly Anglers network.

On this episode of On the Real, Bob Bartlett welcomes Emma Brown, whose life has been shaped by the rugged beauty of Colorado’s Front Range. Growing up on a ranch northwest of Denver, Emma learned the demands of ranch work early, surrounded by horses, cattle, and the rhythms of rural life. Her youth was spent riding trails and fishing for brook trout in the high country, sparking a deep connection...

In this episode of On the Real, host Bob Bartlett is joined by fly fishing legend Joyce Shepherd, a trailblazer who has spent decades breaking down barriers in the sport and creating space for women and people of color. Joyce, originally from Snow Hill, North Carolina, reflects on her journey from farming to becoming a passionate fly angler. While she came to fishing later in life, Joyce's connect...

In this inaugural episode, Nicole Tracey Lewis , a Black woman and proud Montreal native, shares her coming-of-age journey as a passionate fly angler and fly tier. Now based in Ottawa, Nicole has spent over a decade immersed in the world of fly fishing. Whether she’s fishing through the ice or swinging flies for steelhead with her two-handed rod, her love for the water runs deep. Nicole recounts t...