June is Pride Month and this month we brought moderator Penny Mabie (Chair, Washington State Council of Trout Unlimited) alongside J. Michelle Swope (queer fly shop owner, @crow_creek_fly_shop; founding member of @unitedwomenonthefly and @ifishibelong) and Justin Bubenik (founder of @flycuriousfish; board member of @flyfishersinternational and on the @_affta_ DEI Committee) for an honest, heartfelt conversation about what it means to be queer in the fly fishing and conservation community.
In this panel, we talk about:
- What genuine allyship looks like on the water, in the fly shop, and online
- How queer anglers and conservationists are actively building safer, more welcoming spaces
- Why representation in fly fishing and conservation still matters, every month of the year
- The real emotional labor of being out in spaces not built with us in mind
- Why affinity groups, Pride celebrations, and events like this one still matter
Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, a fly shop owner, a guide, or a conservation volunteer, this conversation is for you. Read the 2026 Pride Panel blog HERE.
The 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.”
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.
Three queer fly fishing advocates get real about representation, safety, allyship, and why belonging on the water can’t just be a June conversation.
Discover how fly fishing guide Ashley White turned personal struggles with PTSD and anxiety into a journey of healing, mindfulness, and advocacy through the outdoors.
Meet Yolanda Edwards, March’s iFishiBelong’s Be What You Don’t See leader highlight and founder of Remain Hooked on the Outdoors and Her Waters.
Meet Yolanda Edwards, March’s iFishiBelong’s Be What You Don’t See leader highlight and founder of Remain Hooked on the Outdoors and Her Waters.
Dr. Yolanda Edwards, founder of Her Waters, Inc. and retired Army veteran, shares her deeply personal journey from childhood fishing trips with her mother in Cleveland, Ohio to becoming a passionate fly fishing advocate for Black women and female veterans. After finding profound healing and peace on the water following personal losses, she created Her Waters, an intentionally designed organization that brings women of color, female veterans, and young girls into fly-fishing spaces where they are rarely represented. Her mission, rooted in healing, empowerment, and representation, is to ensure that every woman who comes to the water knows she belongs there.
Meet Molly Semenik, who started guiding professionally at the age of 43, became one of very few women to receive master certification by Fly Fishers International (FFI) for both single-handed and two-handed casting, started her own business Tie The Knot Fly Fishing, and authored a guide book, 25 Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Montana Fly Fishing Streams. She was mentored by women and men along the way and is now a teacher and mentor to others. iFishiBelong Be What You Don’t See November leader hightlight.
Educator and entrepreneur Nick Brooks is the iFishiBelong Be What You Don’t See Campaign featured leader for August. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Nick established Outdoor Gear and Beer, a company dedicated to combining outdoor adventure with craft beer. He presents outdoor education workshops at breweries and activities such as hiking, camping, paddling, and fly fishing that offer safe, responsible ways for everyone, especially Black and BIPOC communities, to learn about and enjoy nature.
Meet Brita Fordice, trailblazing fly designer, guide, and product developer for RIO Products at Far Bank Enterprises. Featured in iFishiBelong’s September Be What You Don’t See campaign, Discover her innovative saltwater patterns, insights on authenticity in the fly fishing industry, and advice for aspiring fly tyers and anglers.
In July, ifishibelong’s Be What You Don’t See Campaign and On the Real with Ubuntu Fly Anglers featured Mario Guel, founder of fly fishing outfitter and lifestyle brand, Taco Fly Co.
For Pride Month 2025, iFishiBelong’s “Be What You Don’t See” campaign highlighted five incredible queer leaders in fishing and outdoor spaces. Anni Peterson, Dayle Woodward, Demiesha Dennis, J. Michelle Swope, and Shelly Vo shared their stories of visibility, advocacy, and community in a field where representation is still growing. Together, they’re helping redefine what belonging looks like in the outdoors.
Toronto-based angler, Shelly Vo, building inclusive, low-pressure spaces for queer and BIPOC fly-fishers through her community fly-tying club, Flies and Friends and Brown Girl Outdoor World.
Fly shop owner and longtime advocate turning community work into action by creating inclusive, welcoming spaces in fly fishing.