One of iFishiBelong’s June 2025 “Be What You Don’t See” Pride Panelists, Dayle Woodward (she/her), is the iFishiBelong Becca Sue Klein All Kids Fish program chair. At 73, Dayle shares her journey of transitioning at 69 and finding joy, acceptance, and purpose through fly fishing and working with Orvis. Growing up in a time when coming out wasn’t an option, she now embraces life fully, proud to be part of iFishiBelong and helping inspire the next generation through All Kids Fish.
“We’re just people trying to live fully, honestly, and in the bodies we were always meant for, and I’m so grateful to do that as part of the Orvis family.”
After 38 years of teaching physical education, most would look forward to retirement, but Dayle had other plans. A native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Dayle grew up on a dairy farm in an “outdoorsy” family, where Orvis catalogs were as common as the Sears catalog. Although she picked up a fly rod just 20 years ago, the sport quickly became a passion and a path to something bigger.
Following retirement, Dayle joined Orvis Plymouth Meeting part-time, a role that soon evolved into her current position as Fishing Manager. An aficionado of classic fly rods, Dayle’s favorites are a 1949 Battenkill pre-patent 8′ 5wt and a 1954 6’6″ Deluxe, both crafted under the legendary Wes Jordan.
But Dayle’s story is about more than fishing. About three years ago, she came out as transgender after a lifetime of living a version of herself that wasn’t true. When she told Orvis leadership about her transition, she feared rejection or backlash, especially from customers. In a conversation with her manager, Jamie, Dayle expressed concern that her transition might affect business. Jamie’s response was immediate and clear: “Any customers who have an issue with it aren’t the customers we want at Orvis.”
That moment defined what Dayle already knew: she was part of a company that didn’t just speak about inclusion, but truly lived it.
Today, Dayle is proud to serve as Fishing Manager at Orvis Plymouth Meeting. During this Pride Month, she expresses her deep gratitude for being part of a company that values authenticity, supports the LGBTQ+ community, and stands by its employees, especially in a time when such support is more crucial than ever.
The 2025 iFishiBelong “Be What You Don’t See” campaign highlights leaders breaking barriers in the fishing industry. Each month, we will feature individuals who challenge conventions and inspire change with passion and resilience, motivating the next generation of anglers to create their 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.
