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Be What You Don’t See

Campaign Details

The 2025 iFishiBelong “Be What You Don’t See” campaign highlights leaders who are breaking barriers in the fishing industry. Each month, we will feature individuals who challenge conventions and inspire change with their passion and resilience, motivating the next generation of anglers to create their own paths and “be what they don’t see.”

What is the Goal?

By highlighting these trailblazers, we aim to inspire broader participation and show that leadership roles in the fishing industry are accessible to everyone, creating a more inclusive vision of success.

BWYDS - Angelica Talan
October Feature

At iFishiBelong and Ubuntu Fly Anglers, we know that representation on the water matters. When you don’t see yourself reflected in the outdoors, it can be hard to imagine belonging there. That’s why voices like Angelica Talan’s are so powerful.

It’s October, and for our Be What You Don’t See Campaign, we are celebrating Angelica, a longtime Washington, D.C. resident, mother, social media influencer, brand ambassador, and angler. What began with her daughter asking, “Mom, will you take me fishing?” grew into a journey that reconnected Angelica with her roots, reshaped her family’s relationship with the outdoors, and opened doors for her to model what it means to be a woman of color in a sport where representation is still far too rare.

Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting Angelica’s story, including her powerful 2024 interview with Bob Bartlett. In that conversation, Angelica shares how fishing has become a source of joy, identity, and empowerment, and why brand awareness and equitable representation in the outdoor industry are critical, not only for women like her, but also for the next generation waiting to see themselves reflected.

Leader Highlights
Angelica Talan (she/her)
Angler & Mom
Anna Le (she/her)
Grayling Education
Brita Fordice (she/her)
RIO Products
Chris Hill (she/her)
Conservation Lands Foundations
EmailInstagramWebsite
Dayle Woodward (she/her)
iFiB All Kids Fish Program Coordinator
EmailInstagram
Demiesha Dennis (she/her)
Brown Girl Outdoor World
EmailInstagramWebsite
Jessica Haydahl (she/her)
Jessica Haydahl Photography
EmailInstagramWebsite
J. Michelle Swope (she/her)
Crow Creek Fly Shop Owner
EmailInstagramWebsite
Justin Bubenik (he/him)
Fly Curious
EmailInstagramWebsiteBlog
Mario Guel (he/him)
Taco Fly Co
Instagram
Michael Peters (he/him)
Long Branch Fly Fishing
EmailInstagramWebsite
Nick Brooks (he/him)
Outdoor Beer and Gear
EmailInstagramWebsite
Shelly Vo (she/her/they)
Friends and Flies
Instagram
Trailblazing Voices