In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Bob Bartlett sits down with Erica Nelson, fly fishing guide, social justice advocate, and founder of REAL Consulting. For an inspiring conversation about identity, community, and the transformative power of fly fishing. Erica shares her unique journey from studying narcissism in online dating profiles to becoming one of the most recognized and respected voices in the fly fishing world.

Through storytelling and laughter, Erica reflects on her early days navigating the outdoor industry, the systemic barriers she's faced, and the meaningful connections she’s built with anglers across the country. She also dives into her work with Wanderland Outdoors, a first-of-its-kind outfitter led by and for historically excluded identities, and her ongoing mission to make the outdoors more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Whether you're an angler, a change-maker, or just someone looking for a genuine and inspiring story, this episode delivers real talk, real passion, and a refreshing perspective on what it means to show up fully—on the water and in life.

Episode Notes-

Podcast Overview - 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.

Our episodes will be released on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Ubuntu Fly Anglers is proudly a program of iFishiBelong, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive fishing community where everyone feels welcome, empowered, and connected. This organization is for everyone who supports all people, all techniques, and all species. Through programs such as All Kids Fish, DIY Fishing Events, Ubuntu Fly Anglers, and United Women on the Fly, we provide education, leadership opportunities, and a platform for underrepresented groups in the fishing community. True integration celebrates individual differences, elevating them within the collective whole rather than forcing uniformity. We promote equitable representation, offer financial assistance, and create spaces for all anglers to thrive. At iFishiBelong, we celebrate individuality within the collective love for fishing, ensuring that every person has access to the sport and the opportunity to lead.

Go to https://ifishibelong.org/ubuntuflyanglers/on-the-real/ to learn more about the podcast.

In this heartfelt episode of On the Reel, host Bob Bartlett speaks with Angel Massie, co-founder of Wanderland Outdoors, about building a more inclusive and healing outdoor experience for Black and Brown communities. Angel shares how her childhood by the Chesapeake Bay, her career in journalism, and her training in mindfulness all led to creating a nature-based guiding business alongside her husband, former NFL player Bobby Massie. From guided fly fishing to meditative hikes to open-flame meals under Colorado skies, Wanderland Outdoors is redefining what it means to belong in nature.

Angel opens up about the power of intentionality, the importance of representation, and the joy of seeing community gather on the land. Whether you're an avid angler or new to the outdoors, this conversation is a reminder that nature is a place for everyone—and healing is possible when we show up as our full selves.

You can also watch Angel as a Housewife on this season of the Real Housewives of Potomac.

Episode Notes - 

Podcast Overview - 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.

Our episodes will be released on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Ubuntu Fly Anglers is proudly a program of iFishiBelong, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive fishing community where everyone feels welcome, empowered, and connected. This organization is for everyone who supports all people, all techniques, and all species. Through programs such as All Kids Fish, DIY Fishing Events, Ubuntu Fly Anglers, and United Women on the Fly, we provide education, leadership opportunities, and a platform for underrepresented groups in the fishing community. True integration celebrates individual differences, elevating them within the collective whole rather than forcing uniformity. We promote equitable representation, offer financial assistance, and create spaces for all anglers to thrive. At iFishiBelong, we celebrate individuality within the collective love for fishing, ensuring that every person has access to the sport and the opportunity to lead.

Go to https://ifishibelong.org/ubuntuflyanglers/on-the-real/ to learn more about the podcast.

In this episode of On the Reel, host Bob Bartlett welcomes fly fishing guide, mentor, and community advocate Scot Simmons for a candid conversation about living with purpose both on and off the water. From his early days fishing Minnesota lakes with his father to guiding trips and mentoring youth today, Scot reflects on how fly fishing became a source of healing, identity, and joy. He shares how observing the life cycle of bugs, like the caddisfly, inspired a deeper understanding of intention and impact, drawing parallels between nature's rhythms and his own personal growth.

Scot also opens up about fatherhood, Black representation in outdoor spaces, and the importance of building inclusive communities like Ubuntu Fly Anglers. Whether he's wading a cold-water stream or helping others find their way to the river, Scot is committed to living a life that matters—and lifting others as he goes. This is more than a story about fishing; it’s about belonging, legacy, and the power of showing up fully in your own skin.

On August 14, 2025, the world lost Scot after a courageous battle with cancer. The Ubuntu family and the fly fishing community will deeply miss him. Scot is survived by his wife, Christy Simmons, and their son, Cooper. To support his family, please consider donating to his GoFundMe at [link in bio] or visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-scot-simmons-fight-against-cancer

Episode Notes - 

Podcast Overview - 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.

Our episodes will be released on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Ubuntu Fly Anglers is proudly a program of iFishiBelong, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive fishing community where everyone feels welcome, empowered, and connected. This organization is for everyone who supports all people, all techniques, and all species. Through programs such as All Kids Fish, DIY Fishing Events, Ubuntu Fly Anglers, and United Women on the Fly, we provide education, leadership opportunities, and a platform for underrepresented groups in the fishing community. True integration celebrates individual differences, elevating them within the collective whole rather than forcing uniformity. We promote equitable representation, offer financial assistance, and create spaces for all anglers to thrive. At iFishiBelong, we celebrate individuality within the collective love for fishing, ensuring that every person has access to the sport and the opportunity to lead.

Go to https://ifishibelong.org/ubuntuflyanglers/on-the-real/ to learn more about the podcast.

Sometimes a funny mishap is the doorway to something bigger. In this episode of On The Real, host Bob Bartlett talks with Angelica Talan, a longtime DC resident, content creator, and mom whose fly fishing story began when her daughter asked her to take her to the water. What followed was a smelly weekend of catfish forgotten in a car trunk, a leap into fly fishing, and eventually a new role as a brand ambassador and visible presence for women of color in the sport. Angelica reflects on motherhood, identity, and the power of being seen, reminding us that when our kids ask us to join them in something new, saying “yes” can change everything.

Episode Notes - 

Podcast Overview - 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.

Our episodes will be released on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Ubuntu Fly Anglers is proudly a program of iFishiBelong, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive fishing community where everyone feels welcome, empowered, and connected. This organization is for everyone who supports all people, all techniques, and all species. Through programs such as All Kids Fish, DIY Fishing Events, Ubuntu Fly Anglers, and United Women on the Fly, we provide education, leadership opportunities, and a platform for underrepresented groups in the fishing community. True integration celebrates individual differences, elevating them within the collective whole rather than forcing uniformity. We promote equitable representation, offer financial assistance, and create spaces for all anglers to thrive. At iFishiBelong, we celebrate individuality within the collective love for fishing, ensuring that every person has access to the sport and the opportunity to lead.

Go to https://ifishibelong.org/ubuntuflyanglers/on-the-real/ to learn more about the podcast.

In this powerful episode of On The Real, host Bob Bartlett sits down with Pacific Northwest fishing guide and filmmaker Captain Lael Johnson. Lael shares his journey from growing up in Topeka, Kansas to becoming a respected steelhead and salmon guide on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. He opens up about the struggles he faced along the way, the leap of faith it took to follow his passion, and the profound role fishing has played in his mental health and personal growth. Lael also talks about launching the FYSH Foundation—For Your Sanity & Happiness—and how it’s creating inclusive outdoor spaces for people of all backgrounds. The conversation dives into the making of his recent film Visibility, the importance of representation in fly fishing, and what it really means to live a purpose-driven life on and off the water. This is a raw, honest, and uplifting episode you won’t want to miss.

Episode Notes - 

Podcast Overview - 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.

Our episodes will be released on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Ubuntu Fly Anglers is proudly a program of iFishiBelong, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive fishing community where everyone feels welcome, empowered, and connected. This organization is for everyone who supports all people, all techniques, and all species. Through programs such as All Kids Fish, DIY Fishing Events, Ubuntu Fly Anglers, and United Women on the Fly, we provide education, leadership opportunities, and a platform for underrepresented groups in the fishing community. True integration celebrates individual differences, elevating them within the collective whole rather than forcing uniformity. We promote equitable representation, offer financial assistance, and create spaces for all anglers to thrive. At iFishiBelong, we celebrate individuality within the collective love for fishing, ensuring that every person has access to the sport and the opportunity to lead.

Go to https://ifishibelong.org/ubuntuflyanglers/on-the-real/ to learn more about the podcast.

In this episode, we sit down with Lino Jubilado, an angler whose story flows from the streets of East Los Angeles to the currents of the LA River. Lino reflects on how fishing first took root in his childhood, grew through competitive bass tournaments, and eventually led him to the world of fly fishing, casting for carp in the heart of the city. Along the way, he shares what it means to find peace, belonging, and community in an urban landscape, while breaking barriers and inspiring others to connect with the water right where they are.

In this episode of On The Real, host Bob Bartlett sits down with Carl Crawford, co-founder of the Ubuntu Fly Anglers Network, to reflect on the journey through 2024 so far. From navigating challenges to celebrating milestones, this conversation explores key lessons learned and the vision shaping the future. Grounded in community, connection, and the spirit of Ubuntu, Carl offers a candid look at where the organization stands today and what lies ahead on the horizon.

In this inspiring episode of On the Real, host Bob Bartlett of the Ubuntu Anglers Network sits down with Analiza del Rosario, a seasoned fly angler, marketing professional, and community advocate, to explore her journey from growing up on a rice farm in the Philippines to becoming a passionate leader in the fly fishing world. Analiza shares how a work assignment unexpectedly launched her into fly fishing, and how it quickly became a central part of her life. She reflects on the challenges of entering the sport as a woman of color, the importance of building inclusive spaces through the Pasadena Casting Club, and her mission to welcome more women and people of color into the outdoors. 

With stories ranging from catching wild trout in California’s San Gabriel River to landing redfish in New Orleans and dorado in Baja, Analiza brings warmth, humor, and wisdom to the conversation. Her mantra,  “No Bitching, Just Fishing”, is more than a catchphrase; it’s a call to keep joy and connection at the heart of the fly fishing experience.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Mario G., founder of Taco Fly Co., fly fishing guide, culture shifter, industry disruptor, and proud ambassador for Brown Folks Fishing. Mario opens up about his upbringing as a Mexican American in San Jose, how skateboarding and fishing shaped his life, and why inclusion isn’t a strategy, it’s just who he is.

From the banks of the Trinity River to Baja’s roosterfish runs, Mario has created more than a brand—he’s built a movement where tacos, special beers, and belonging collide. We talk about why representation matters, what it means to show up in spaces that weren’t built for us, and how he's helping others feel safe and seen on the river.

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit in or didn’t belong, this episode is for you. Mario reminds us that sometimes the most revolutionary thing you can do is just be yourself.

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.