Ubuntu is a cultural understanding that comes from the South African Bantu language group. It is a collection of values and practices that we are a part of a larger and more significant communal, environmental, and spiritual world. It is a philosophy that values collectivism over individualism as in —”I am because we are”.
This is an intentional effort to bring us together to create change.
The Ubuntu Fly Anglers’ mission is building community, education, and leadership. Central to our mission is:
- Changing the complexion and larger perception of black and brown people outdoors.
- Growing future fly anglers and environmental activists who look like us.
- Making positive changes in angling and in environmentally conscious organizations.
- Nurturing relationships with others like us who can benefit from angling as a pastime or as a profession.
- Making the invisible of us visible.
Bob Bartlett, Co-Founder
Carl Crawford, Co-Founder
Ubuntu was founded in the Spring of 2023 by two black fly anglers Bob Bartlett of Spokane, WA and Carl Crawford of Los Angels., CA. Ubuntu Fly Anglers has become a passionate community of black and brown fly anglers, educators, professional guides, hobby anglers and environmental activists from across the country.
- Ambassadors and educators dedicated to creating opportunities and safe spaces for conversations, gatherings, outings, teaching and learning.
- Committed to sharing our time, talent, resources, and experiences for the common good and well-being that comes when we share time together outdoors.
- Environmental activists.
Ubuntu Fly Anglers is dedicated to empowering Black and Brown communities through fly fishing and outdoor engagement. We produce On The Real, a podcast that highlights the voices of Black and Brown anglers, guides, and outdoor enthusiasts, exploring topics like fishing, identity, business, and belonging. Our initiative We Are Here, Where Are You? focuses on making Black and Brown anglers visible in the fishing world by honoring their expertise and leadership. Through Ubuntu Youth Engagement, we create opportunities for BIPOC youth to connect with nature and community via fishing camps, mentorship, and events like ‘Casting in the Park,’ building confidence, joy, and future leadership, one cast at a time.
ON the Real
We Are Here
Youth Engagement
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.
The February’s “Be What You Don’t See” campaign highlights Michael Peters. Fly fishing guide and business owner Michael Peters about his journey from Wall Street to professional guiding. Discover how his passion for fishing, industry networking, and mentorship are shaping opportunities for Black and Brown anglers in the fly fishing community.
There are several ways to get involved with the Ubuntu Fly Anglers community!
- Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay connected with the Ubuntu Fly Anglers community.
- Participate in our monthly Ubuntu Reel Refresh Hour, held on the last Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM PT.
- Fill out our “We Are Here” form to stay connected via email and help us better understand our members and strengthen our efforts to build a supportive and inclusive angling network for black and brown anglers.
- Form Link HERE.
If you do not identify as BIPOC, you can still play a valuable and meaningful role in supporting and uplifting the Ubuntu community. One of the simplest ways to show support is by engaging with us on social media. It takes just a moment—and since you’re likely already there, your support truly makes a difference!
- Follow Us on Instagram and Facebook to stay connected with the Ubuntu Fly Anglers community.
- Like and Comment on our posts to show appreciation for the work we’re doing and help increase our visibility.
- Share Our Content – including podcast episodes, blog posts, events, scholarship opportunities, and more on your stories, feed, or Facebook page to help us reach a wider audience.
Your engagement helps elevate our mission and continues to build a stronger, more inclusive community. Thank you for standing with us!