On the Real
In this episode of On the Reel, 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 belonging, growth, and the joy of casting lines with purpose.
In this episode of On the Real, professional fly fishing guide Ashley White, aka The Gentleman Lumberjack, shares his powerful journey through mental illness, trauma, and recovery. After a medical crisis nearly took his wife’s life, Ashley faced years of unprocessed pain, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts before discovering the healing power of nature. Through therapy, mindfulness, and fly fishing, he found a path back to wellness, and now helps others reconnect to themselves through the outdoors.
Erika Nelson is a professional fly fishing guide, educator, and advocate for equity and inclusion in the outdoors. She is the founder of REAL Consulting and a founding guide for Wanderland Outdoors, where she works to create accessible and empowering outdoor experiences for historically excluded communities.
Angel Massie is a certified Mindful Outdoor Guide, journalist, and co-founder of Wanderland Outdoors, a Colorado-based outfitting company dedicated to creating inclusive, healing experiences in nature. With a background in media and mindfulness, she blends outdoor adventure with intentional practices to help people reconnect with the land and themselves.
Scot Simmons is a Minnesota-based fly fishing guide, community leader, and passionate advocate for inclusion in the outdoors. He mentors youth, serves on the leadership team of Trout Unlimited’s Twin Cities chapter, and finds purpose in connecting people to nature through fly fishing.
What begins with a smelly trunk full of forgotten catfish turns into a life-changing journey for Angelica Talan, a DC-based content creator and mom. In this episode of On The Real, Angelica shares how her daughter’s simple request to go fishing rekindled her childhood love of the outdoors and led her into fly fishing, advocacy, and brand ambassadorship. Along the way, she reflects on representation in the sport and the importance of showing women and people of color that they belong on the water.
What begins with a smelly trunk full of forgotten catfish turns into a life-changing journey for Angelica Talan, a DC-based content creator and mom. In this episode of On The Real, Angelica shares how her daughter’s simple request to go fishing rekindled her childhood love of the outdoors and led her into fly fishing, advocacy, and brand ambassadorship. Along the way, she reflects on representation in the sport and the importance of showing women and people of color that they belong on the water.
In this episode, Lino Jubilado shares his journey from growing up in East Los Angeles to discovering a love for fly fishing on the urban waters of the LA River. Through stories of family, community, and breaking barriers, he reflects on how fishing has become both a personal refuge and a way to build connection in unexpected places.
Carl Crawford, LA-born and raised, and co-founder of the Ubuntu Fly Anglers Network, shares his journey as a fly angler, his love of jazz, and how community has shaped his path on and off the water.
In this heartfelt episode of iFishiBelong: Be What You Don’t See from the On the Real podcast, Mario Guel, founder of Taco Fly Co. and advocate for Brown Folks Fishing, shares his journey as a Mexican American navigating the worlds of skateboarding and fly fishing. From the streets of San Jose to the waters of Baja, Mario is building more than a brand—he’s creating a movement rooted in culture, authenticity, and a sense of belonging. He reminds us that simply being yourself can be the most powerful form of inclusion.
In this heartfelt episode of iFishiBelong: Be What You Don’t See from the On the Real podcast, Mario Guel, founder of Taco Fly Co. and advocate for Brown Folks Fishing, shares his journey as a Mexican American navigating the worlds of skateboarding and fly fishing. From the streets of San Jose to the waters of Baja, Mario is building more than a brand—he’s creating a movement rooted in culture, authenticity, and a sense of belonging. He reminds us that simply being yourself can be the most powerful form of inclusion.
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.