Fishing For a Living

Getting to 10,000 followers on Instagram wasn’t an overnight journey—and it definitely wasn’t easy.In this solo episode of Fishing For a Living, I break down exactly how I grew a fishing-focused personal brand to 10K followers, what actually worked, what didn’t, and the three principles that mattered far more than views or viral posts.This isn’t about hacks or gaming the algorithm. It’s about community, authenticity, and asking for help—and why those things compound over time.I share:- Why some posts with 1M+ views didn’t convert into followers- How one raw, unscripted post changed everything- The difference between growing an account and building trust- Why asking for help accelerated everything- What I misunderstood about growth early onIf you’re a fishing content creator, outdoor creator, or anyone trying to build something online without selling your soul, this episode is for you.Follow the journey:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekurrent/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thekurrent"Fish More. Work Less. Gear: https://TheKurrentSupply.comNew episodes every week.#creatoreconomy #creatortips #instagramgrowth #fishingcreator #outdoorcreator #contentcreator #bassfishing

Fishing For a Living—Episode with Drew Wilson (@drewlr)This episode starts the way a lot of good fishing days do—chaos on the water, chasing giant gar on a fly rod with LiveScope, missed net jobs, bad ideas, and a whole lot of laughs. But where it goes… is somewhere much deeper.In this episode of Fishing For a Living, I sit down with Drew Wilson—tattoo artist, self proclaimed low-brow angler, artist, and one of the most genuinely thoughtful people I’ve ever shared a boat (and a conversation) with.We talk about community—not as a buzzword, but as a responsibility.About treating people like gold.About packing EVERY SINGLE order by hand.About rebuilding a skatepark with friends, grant writers, and a mayor who cared enough to say yes.About taking people with you instead of stepping on them.Drew opens up about loss, grief, and a client who took his own life—and the poem Drew wrote that later became his best-selling print. He reads it out loud for the first time on camera.We talk about choosing happiness in a hard world.About escapism, positivity, and why being happy is often a conscious decision—especially when things feel heavy.About social media, “feeding the beast,” and trying to be a CONTENT creator instead of just a content creator.About art, fishing, whiskey, tattoos, skateboarding, Walmart, purpose (or the lack of it), and why maybe we’re just here to be.Fishing, in this episode, isn’t about numbers or techniques.It’s about unplugging, being present, and sharing a feeling with the people around you.This isn’t just a fishing conversation.It’s a conversation about how to live, who you bring with you, and what actually matters.Connect with DrewInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewlrYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drewlrWeb Store (Art, Prints, Hats, etc): https://drewlr.bigcartel.comKingfisher Skateboards: https://drewlr.bigcartel.com/category/kingfisher-skateboardsIf this episode hit, make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen or watch.More conversations like this are already recorded—and many more are coming.Thanks for being part of the community.

One of the biggest swimbait brands in the world didn’t start in a shop, a factory, or with a business plan.
It started with a piece of firewood.

In this episode of Fishing For a Living, I go fishing with Kevin Brightwell, founder of KGB Swimbaits, to uncover the real story behind one of the most respected names in the swimbait world—a story that most people have never heard.

Before KGB was known for giant bass, cult-favorite baits, and industry respect, Kevin was cutting cedar for firewood, missing swimbait fishing, and decided—almost on a whim—to carve his first bait by hand. That decision set off a chain reaction of obsession, rejection, sacrifice, and belief that eventually turned into a brand recognized across the fishing industry.

In this conversation, Kevin opens up about:

• Making his very first swimbait from a piece of wood

• Fishing for weeks without a bite — and why he refused to quit (Hint: the payoff was his 15lb+ PB)

• Getting kicked out of parts of the swimbait world

• Having to choose between firewood and bait making

• Why originality matters more than fitting in

• Unreleased KGB baits, projects, and ideas you won’t see anywhere else

• And what it actually costs to turn fishing into a living

This episode isn’t about hype or shortcuts.
It’s about obsession, risk, and the uncomfortable decisions nobody talks about when chasing a dream.

Fishing For a Living is a podcast about anglers, builders, creators, and business owners who found a way to turn passion into purpose—without gatekeeping, without sugarcoating, and without pretending it’s easy.

If you’ve ever thought about making your own bait, building your own brand, or taking fishing further than a hobby… this one’s for you.

If you’ve ever wanted to turn fishing into a living—but felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start—this episode is for you.

After leaving a stable six-figure career, I’m building a real plan to fish more, work less, and still support my family—without chasing hype or blowing everything up.

In this episode, I break down my full 2026 business plan: how I’m using content, consulting, brand deals, merch, and long-term systems to turn fishing into a sustainable career—not just a dream.

I’ve spent over a decade working in marketing and brand strategy in the outdoor and lifestyle space. This is me taking everything I’ve learned and putting it on the line—publicly.

No gurus.No shortcuts.Just structure, tradeoffs, and accountability.

If you want to fish more, leave your job responsibly (or just make money from fishing), and build something real around your passion—welcome to Fishing For a Living.

I planned to release a new episode last week.
Instead, my second son came into the world MUCH EARLIER than was planned.

Life doesn’t care about your content calendar—and that lesson alone sums up what this episode is really about.

In this solo episode of Fishing For a Living, I break down the five biggest lessons I’ve learned so far since leaving my 9–5 to build a life around fishing, storytelling, and entrepreneurship.

This isn’t motivation fluff.
This is the real stuff people don’t talk about.

We get into:

• Why your plan will break — and why that’s normal

• The fear and excitement that come with real risk

• The insane workload nobody sees behind the scenes

• What “owning your time” actually looks like

• Why community and networking matter more than talent

I also reflect on conversations with guests like Kevin VanDam, Kristine Fischer, Mark Daniels Jr., Carl Jocumsen, Bailey Eigbrett, Simón Valencia, and others who’ve shared what it really takes to build a life on the water.

If you’re thinking about:
🎣 Turning fishing into a career
🎣 Building a business around your passion
🎣 Becoming a creator or entrepreneur
🎣 Or simply wanting more control over your time

This episode is for you.

🎧 Fishing For a Living is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
New episodes drop every Wednesday at 5pm—after the grind, when it’s time to clock into the dream.

👉 Subscribe wherever you listen or watch
👉 Follow @thekurrent on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
👉 Explore the gear side of this journey at thekurrentsupply.com

Send this episode to someone who’s been talking about “taking the leap.

EPISODE 5 — KEGAN WARD | OZARK KAYAK

So you think you want to start a kayak shop (or any outdoor retail business)…?

Today’s episode of Fishing For a Living features Kegan Ward, the owner of Ozark Kayak, one of Northwest Arkansas’ most trusted paddle shops and outdoor outfitters—and a guy who knows these waters like the back of his hand.

Kegan grew up right here in the Ozarks. And only a stone's throw away from his current shop's location.He’s paddled it, fished it, hunted it, explored it, and built a business around helping other people experience it too.In this episode we cover:

– How Kegan started kayaking and eventually, kayak fishing

– How Ozark Kayak started

– Why Northwest Arkansas is an outdoor paradise

– His deep knowledge of the Ozark fishing opportunities

– What it’s really like to run a kayak shop

– Fishing, paddling, whitewater, community, conservation

– How to take risks, start small, and build something meaningful

– Why serving a community beats chasing “scale”

– What he’s learned about life, people, and passion while running a gear shop

– The local culture: changing ecosystem, transplants, paddlers, anglers, and outdoor families

– The unseen challenges & rewards of building a business in the outdoor spaceKegan is one of the kindest, most grounded guys in Northwest Arkansas

—someone who will drop everything to help another outdoorsman (including the time he offered me a kayak when my boat trailer was down).

If you love fishing, paddling, entrepreneurship, or the Ozarks…this episode will feel like home.

This is Fishing For a Living🎧 New episodes every Wednesday at 5pm

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Follow Kegan & Ozark Kayak:

📍 https://www.instagram.com/ozarkkayak/

🌐 https://ozarkkayak.com/

Follow The Kurrent:

🎣 https://www.instagram.com/thekurrent/

🛒 thekurrentsupply.com

🎙 Fishing For a Living Podcast

Today’s episode is raw, honest, and straight from the heart.

We’re 29 days into the Movember Challenge—30 days of fishing, filming, podcasting, and showing up every single day to raise awareness for men’s mental health and suicide prevention. And while this journey has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, it’s also been one of the hardest.

I’ve missed days.I’ve battled sickness.I’ve juggled family, life, and the weight of this mission.

But I’m not quitting and I’m asking for your help to finish strong.

We’re sitting at $407 raised, with $593 to go to hit the $1,000 goal. Across all platforms, this community is more than 13,000 people deep. That means hitting the goal would take about four cents per person.

This isn’t a Black Friday or Small Business Saturday sale.
This isn’t a promo.
This is one guy chasing a dream, showing up for others, and spreading positivity in a world that desperately needs it.

If you’re able, you can support the Movember Fundraiser here:
👉 https://movember.com/m/thekurrent-fishinformentalhealth?mc=1

And if you’d rather support through The Kurrent Supply, 10% of profits this month go directly to Movember.
👉 https://thekurrentsupply.com

Thank you for following along, for showing up, and for helping me show others that they’re not alone.

Let’s close out this month the right way.

What happens when you go all-in on fishing, content, and your own dreams?
Bailey Eigbrett knows the answer—because he did it and is not only surviving, but thriving.

Today’s guest is a creator, entrepreneur, tournament angler, and the founder of the Serious Angler Podcast Network, home to Serious Angler, Business From The Bass Boat, Lure Lab, and Kayak Fishing Weekly. What started as a small passion project in college is now one of the most influential media platforms in the bass fishing world.

Bailey spent years behind the scenes working for brands like:

• Amped Outdoors
• Douglas Rods
• Gunpowder Inc (Berkley, Ugly Stik, Sitka, Uncharted Supply, Academy Sports, and more)

He’s seen the industry from EVERY angle—brand, agency, creator, tournament angler—and now lives full-time off his fishing content and business.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Bailey got into fishing and media
• The early days of Serious Angler and how it grew into a full network
• His decision to leave his 9–5 and chase the creator life
• What creators actually need to succeed today
• The mistakes beginners make
• Why long-term thinking beats virality
• How he balances content, fishing, business, and life
• The truth about chasing Fishing For a Living
• How to break into the fishing industry without burning out
• And the mindset required to take the leap

This episode is 100% loaded with value—not just for fishermen, but anyone dreaming of building a brand, creating a career in the outdoor space, or taking the leap into a a life that’s fully their own.

🔥 FOLLOW BAILEY

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BEtheFish
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bailey_eigbrett/ & https://www.instagram.com/seriousangler/
Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/0YM9ZUVNL9NRT4aUmKe4m4?si=4cbaf7c68fcc4dbe

🎣 FOLLOW THE KURRENT + FISHING FOR A LIVING

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thekurrent
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekurrent/
Podcast: Fishing For a Living (new episodes every Wednesday @ 5pm)The Kurrent Supply Shop: thekurrentsupply.com

Fishing For a Living — available on:YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Everywhere you listen

After you clock out. When you’re ready to clock into the dream.

Today is all about Man’s Best Friend.

For Day 25 of the Movember Challenge, I’m taking a moment to spotlight the one partner who shows up for me every single time—my dog, Midge.

Never complains.

Never asks when we’re going home.

Always excited.

Always loyal.

And honestly, one of the biggest reasons my mental health stays intact.

Whether it’s on a quiet morning launch, a long grind of a day, or the moments when life hits harder than expected… dogs have a way of grounding us in a way nothing else can.

This episode is sponsored by Redbarn, a brand I’m proud to partner with because they genuinely care about what goes into our dogs’ bodies—clean ingredients, ethical sourcing, and products I trust. Midge has been eating their treats long before today, and I’m stoked to have them support this mission.

Episode Highlights

• Why dogs play such a powerful role in men’s mental health

• How Midge has supported me through this challenge

• Why Redbarn aligns with my values

• The importance of companionship during hard seasons

• Updates from Day 25 on the waterSupport Men’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

This entire 30-day challenge is dedicated to raising funds & awareness for Movember.

If you’re able, please consider donating:

👉 Movember Fundraiser: https://movember.com/m/thekurrent-fishinformentalhealth?mc=1

Support the Mission (10% of November profits donated)Fish More. Work Less. gear + all Kurrent Supply drops:

👉 https://www.thekurrentsupply.comCheck Out Redbarn (Sponsor of Day 25)

If you want to feed your dog the same treats Midge loves:

👉 https://www.redbarn.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor-85vVsmp5ScwL_O5EVvOBheGH5W2srzs-fXe_qACzg-hEolhc

📸 Follow the Journey

IG: @thekurrent

TikTok: @thekurrent

YouTube: The Kurrent

Podcast: Fishing For A Living

About The Movember Challenge

I’m fishing, filming, and podcasting every single day in November — not for views, not for vanity, but to raise awareness for men’s mental health and suicide prevention. If this message resonates, share the episode, tag a friend, or just check in on someone today.

Grit. Hard times. Community. Redfish. Conservation. Purpose.

In this episode of Fishing For a Living, Kyle sits down with a close friend—Simón Valencia, founder of Current Culture Fly, guide, community builder, cyclist, former social worker, dog dad and a man whose life story is as powerful as the waters he guides on.

Simón's journey has geography written inside it—born outside the U.S., raised in Miami, forged in San Francisco, grounded in Richmond. His path mirrors Kyle’s own trajectory, making this one of the most personal conversations of the entire series.

This episode dives into:

• Growing up between cultures and finding belonging on the water.

• Navigating hard times as a kid and the role fishing played in grounding him.

• His experience as a social work and the lessons it taught him.
• Why Richmond felt like “home”—and how that led to Current Culture Fly.

• Building a fly shop from scratch with nothing but belief and community.

• The highs of creating a home for anglers.

• The heartbreak & lessons from closing the doors.The rebirth into guiding full-time.
• Why redfish became his obsession.
• How cycling, conservation, and community hold him together.
• What being a guide really looks like—the truth no one talks about.
• Advice for anyone thinking of opening a shop, becoming a guide, or dropping the 9–5 for a passion-led life.

This episode is about grit—the kind that isn’t loud, but steady.

It’s about joy—the kind you earn, not the kind you stumble into.

And it’s about building something meaningful even when the odds aren’t stacked in your favor.

If you’re dreaming about:

• Starting a guide service
• Opening a fly shop
• Working in the outdoor industry
• Building community
• Or chasing fulfillment over comfort…

Simón’s story will hit you straight in the chest.

NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY @ 5PM

After the grind.

After the clock-out.

When you’re ready to clock into the dream.

Fishing For a Living — watch & listen on: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Simón: https://www.instagram.com/capt.s.valencia/

His Guide Service: https://www.instagram.com/currentculturefly/

And book a trip: https://currentculturefly.com/

#FlyFishing #ChesapeakeBay #FishingGuide #ChasingTheDream #FounderStory