In this powerful and moving episode, Alicia Bartlett sits down with Dr. Yolanda Edwards, founder of Her Waters, Inc., a retired Army veteran, and a passionate fly-fishing advocate, for a conversation that is equal parts inspiring, emotional, and deeply personal.
Dr. Edwards takes us back to her roots in Cleveland, Ohio, where her late mother first introduced her to the joy of fishing at just five years old, early morning worm hunts, brown paper bags full of fried chicken and potato chips, and quiet moments on the water where real conversations happened. Those early memories would plant a seed that would take decades to fully bloom.
After 25 years of military service, including deployments in Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom, Dr. Edwards retired to Georgia with dreams of finally fishing alongside her mother. When that dream was cut short by her mother’s passing, she nearly walked away from fishing altogether. Instead, a single caught bass, a whispered prayer, and a YouTube education reignited her passion and set her on an entirely new path.
That path led her to fly fishing, to founding the Facebook community Hooked in the South, to launching the nonprofit Remain Hooked Outdoors, and ultimately to creating Her Waters, Inc., an organization intentionally built to bring women of color, female veterans, and young girls into fly fishing spaces where they have historically been absent and unseen.
Throughout this conversation, Dr. Edwards speaks candidly about the barriers she faced trying to learn in male-dominated spaces, the healing she unexpectedly found wading through a river on her first fly fishing trip, and the women who have shown up as allies to help her mission grow. She also reveals the beautiful meaning hidden within her organization’s name, that H.E.R. stands for Healing, Empowerment, and Representation, the three pillars at the heart of everything Her Waters, Inc. stands for.
This episode is a testament to the power of following a calling, breaking generational barriers, and daring to be what you don’t see. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or have never held a fishing rod, Dr. Edwards’ story will leave you inspired to take your first step, whatever that looks like for you.
Go to https://ifishibelong.org/ubuntuflyanglers/on-the-real/ to learn more about the podcast.
Episode Notes –
- Website – https://herwaters.org/
On The Real is all about making the invisible visible. This podcast, hosted by Ubuntu Fly Anglers, is a space where we get real with Black and Brown anglers, guides, outfitters, and outdoor enthusiasts about what matters most to them. Through candid conversations, On The Real explores the joys, challenges, and truths of living the outdoor life—from fly fishing and guiding to building businesses, mentoring others, and finding belonging in nature. It’s about sharing wisdom, celebrating identity, and holding space for the real stories that often go unheard.
