The Sustainable Angler

In Part 2 of our special series The Rise of Sustainability Regulations , host Rick Crawford is joined by environmental attorney James Pollack of Marten Law to unpack one of the most important—and misunderstood—emerging policies in the outdoor industry: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging and Textiles . With states like California, Oregon, Maine, and Colorado rolling out EPR for Pa...

Welcome to a special 4-part series of The Sustainable Angler , where we tackle the most pressing sustainability regulations shaping the fishing and outdoor industries. Over the next four weeks, I’ll be joined by James Pollack , environmental and regulatory lawyer at Marten Law , to unpack what brands need to know about PFAS (forever chemicals) , Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) , and climate...

In this powerful episode of The Sustainable Angler , we're diving deep into a topic close to my heart: America’s public lands . I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend countless days camping, hiking, and fly fishing on these wild, beautiful landscapes. Public lands connect us with nature, fuel our $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, and offer a spiritual refuge that’s becoming increasin...

Hilton shares his extraordinary journey from political operative to documentary filmmaker after surviving cancer twice and receiving a life-changing stem cell transplant that he calls his "rebirth." This profound reset led him to abandon the pursuit of power for the authentic storytelling that now defines his award-winning films like "Tension" and "Father Nature." Mea...

In this episode, we dive into the world of bass fishing with the Bass Angler Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), the largest fishing organization in the world with over half a million members. Founded in 1968 by Ray Scott, B.A.S.S. has been a driving force behind professional bass fishing, youth involvement, and conservation efforts. I sit down with Gene Gilliland, who is a nationally renowned fisheries...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Josh Jenkins, Research and Development Manager for Scientific Anglers, and we dive into an important topic: sustainable packaging. We’ll discuss the innovative steps Scientific Anglers has taken to reduce its environmental impact, the challenges and opportunities in moving toward more sustainable materials, and what this means for the future of the fly fishing ind...

Did you know that South Carolina has a long history of conservation? In fact, conservation is baked into our constitution and Audubon South Carolina continues that legacy today by working with policy makers and land owners to support habitat conservation and restoration in our state with bird- and climate- friendly forestry. Additionally, Audubon South Carolina owns and manages 30,000 acres of lan...

Storytellers have a unique ability to engage and captivate their audience, which is a critical skillset to have when it comes to saving the planet, which is why I am stoked to share my interview with Steve Duda who is a writer and the former editor of the Fly Fish Journal, and today is the Head of Fish Tales at Patagonia. In this episode we discuss his new book, River Songs:, the role of storytell...

Hunters and anglers have a long history of fighting for access, protection and the conservation of America’s bountiful natural resources, and today, our fisheries face multiple threats from overfishing, nutrient pollution, plastic pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change. In this episode I interview T. Edward Nickens, who is a New York Times best-selling author and award-winning journali...

Have you noticed that there are less insects stuck to your windshield these days? Well, you’re not alone, and in fact, insects are in decline, but there really hasn’t been a ton research and science behind some of the prolific aquatic bugs that trout, and trout anglers love. Enter, The Salmonfly Project. In this episode we hear from Jackson Birrell and James Frakes, co-Founders of the conservation...

The Everglades are a National Park, a World Heritage Site, and there is no place else on Earth like it. The Everglades are also a place that is near and dear to my heart because I used to make an annual trip with some friends from Savannah to camp, fish, and explore. I landed my first tarpon in the Everglades, have too many funny stories to tell camping on chickees, and found myself completely awe...

I am thrilled to share my interview with Leslie Skardon, CEO of Sustain SC! In this episode, we talk about everything from Leslie’s background and the history of Sustain SC, and how they are setting the table for conversations between businesses and local stakeholders in SC through their Membership Network and Sustainability Leadership Initiative, and we talk about how nature inspires Leslie to ke...

I am thrilled to share my interview with Chris Crolley, who is the CEO of Coastal Expeditions and Founder of the Coastal Expeditions Foundation. Chris is a naturalist and storyteller, and in this episode, we discuss everything from the Lowcountry’s barrier island ecology, environmental threats to our paradise in the Lowcountry, and the importance of education in solving many of our environmental p...

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I interview Jeff Wagner, who is the CEO of Mayfly Outdoors, which is the parent company of Abel, Ross Reels, Airflo, and the recently acquired Dyna-King. We discuss everything from how Jeff got started in the fly fishing industry, to what it means to be a B-Corp; how Ross Reels has partnered with Trout Unlimited in an effort to restore native trout specie...

I am stoked to share my interview with Wes Carter, who is the President at Atlantic Packaging and Founder of A New Earth Project. You may remember Wes from Episode 39 when he was just launching A New Earth Project and since then, Wes and his team have been busy revolutionizing the sustainable packaging industry. In this interview, we discuss everything from the outdoor state and consumers demandin...

Aloha y'all! I am thrilled to share my interview with Daniel Nussbaum, who is the CEO of Z-Man Fishing Products, who has been making innovative lures in Charleston, SC for 30-plus years. In this episode, Daniel shares his personal story of how he got introduced to fishing, went from studying marine biology to practicing law to working at The Charleston Angler; we discuss how Z-Man Fishing Pro...

Aloha Y'all...I am stoked to share my interview with Austin Whitman, who is the The Change Climate Project CEO, which is a nonprofit organization working to eliminate carbon emissions (you may better recognize them as Climate Neutral Certified). In this episode Austin shares how his love for the outdoors inspired him to pursue a career in sustainability and climate, we answer why a company mi...

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I interview Cheeky Fishing + Wingo Outdoors CEO Ted Upton, and we discuss everything from following his passion for fishing into a career with Cheeky to taking Cheeky and Wingo's first steps on their sustainability journey, to joining 1% for the Planet and all of the amazing conservation work Cheeky and Wingo have done since their inception. The Sust...

If you have been paying attention to recent headlines, you know that we are experiencing record heat, both on land and in our rivers and oceans. For example, the week of 4th of July was the hottest week ever recorded and in Florida, record water temps are causing coral bleaching. That's why I am excited to share this interview with Dr. Aaron Adams who is the Director of Science and Conservati...

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I interview Tia Clark who is the founder of Casual Crabbing with Tia and we discuss everything from Tia being born and raised in Charleston, SC, but not having access to our natural resources to the important role our connection to the water plays, to rebuilding oyster reefs with recycled oyster shells and the power of purpose. If you are in town visiting...

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I interview Yellow Dog Community & Conservation Foundation (YDCCF) Executive Director, Brooks Scott, and we discuss everything from Brooks' 20 year career path in the outdoor industry, environmental threats to our fisheries and the amazing work that YDCCF is doing in fly fishing communities around the world. 🎣 Like what you heard?  Subscribe to...

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I interview Dr. Andy Danylchuk who is the Professor of Fish Conservation at UMASS Amherst, a Research Fellow at Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, a Science Advisor at Keep Fish Wet, a Patagonia Ambassador and the list goes on! My point is that I am stoked to share our interview where we discuss everything from how Andy got into fisheries conservation; how clim...

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I interview Release Over 20" (and Eye Strike Fishing) Founder David Fladd, and we discuss everything from why he founded Release Over 20", some of David's conservation hero's, the declining population of speckled trout, flounder and even redfish here in the Lowcountry, as well as what gives Fladd hope about the future of our fisheries....

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I interview the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) Fisheries Fund's Executive Director, Whitney Tilt, and we discuss everything from his career in conservation and the lessons learned, threats to our fisheries, and how the Fisheries Fund is working to engage and activate anglers to take action at the policy level. 🎣 Like what you heard?...

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I interview Georgia Saltwater Anglers Association's Capt. Chad Dubose, and this episode is all about redfish. More specifically, this episode is about Georgia redfish regulations and limits, which may be playing a critical role in the State's decline in redfish populations. Hope you enjoy! 🎣 Like what you heard?  Subscribe to The Sustainable An...