BIPOC
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.
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.
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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.
Emma Brown shares her journey as a transracial adoptee, rancher, and fly fishing guide, reflecting on identity, inclusion, and building community in the outdoor world.
Emma Brown joins On the Real to share how her rural Colorado roots led to a life of ranching, fly fishing, and forging space for women of color in the outdoors.
In this episode of On the Reel, Joyce Shepherd shares her journey from working on a tobacco farm in North Carolina to becoming a passionate educator and advocate for inclusivity in the world of fly fishing.
Joyce’s fly fishing journey, which began in the 1990s with the International Women’s Fly Fishers, has grown into a lifelong passion for teaching, conservation, and community leadership—culminating in her Hall of Fame induction for her dedication to empowering youth, women, and veterans through the sport.
Nicole Tracey Lewis, a Black fly angler and professional fly tier from Ottawa, shares her journey in the sport—from landing her first steelhead to navigating a decade without fishing alongside another Black angler, and the importance of building community through Ubuntu Fly Anglers.
Nicole, an angler from Montreal now living in Ottawa, discovered fly fishing a decade ago, and since then has become deeply involved in the community—tying her own flies, mentoring others, and fishing across North America—all while advocating for greater inclusivity and representation of BIPOC anglers in the sport.
April 2025’s Be What You Don’t See interview features Chris Hill, grassroots organizer, public lands advocate, and CEO of the Conservation Lands Foundation.
The March 2025 “Be What You Don’t See” interview features aquatic entomologist, fisheries biologist, and environmental educator Anna Le (pronounced “Lay”), founder of Grayling Education.