Cast & Connect: The Fishe Files

Cast and Connect

Hosted by Linda Leary, Founder of Fishewear Where bold women and wild waters meet. Linda turned her frustration with ill-fitting and boring fishing gear into Fishewear in 2015. Now she's bringing that Alaska grit to conversations with anglers, guides, and outdoor entrepreneurs rewriting the rules. From seasoned pros to industry leaders, we spotlight the men and women building bold businesses in the outdoor space. Expect real talk about what it takes to thrive, the community that lifts you up, and stories that inspire. New episodes every other week. Connect with us: @fishewear on Instagram

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Kirstie Pike | Próis Hunting

    Join host Linda Leary as she sits down with Kirstie Pike, founder and owner of Prois Hunting Apparel, the women's first hunting and performance gear brand that has been outfitting women in the field for nearly two decades. Kirstie and Linda get real about what it looks like to build and sustain a small business in the apparel world right now. They talk about the economic headwinds hitting brands like Prois, the decisions that don't come with a playbook, and how staying connected to your customer has been one of the most important anchors through it all. The conversation also goes deep on what it means to lead a women-focused company inside one of the most male-dominated industries in the outdoor space. Kirstie shares what she has learned about carving out room where the door was never really open, and why building something specifically for women was never just a niche idea. It was always the whole point. This one is for the hunters, the builders, the women betting on themselves in spaces that weren't designed with them in mind. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.proishunting.com Instagram: @proishunting

    48 min

  2. May 20

    Lisa Michaels | Meteorologist

    Join host Linda Leary as she sits down with Lisa Michaels, a meteorologist based in Wisconsin whose career in weather science started somewhere most of us would least expect: a childhood fear of thunder and lightning. Lisa shares how that fear became a fascination, and how studying the sky eventually led her to the water. It was a trip to Alaska that first brought Fishe across her radar, and when she finally walked through the door, what started as a quick visit turned into hours of conversation with the Fishe staff. She and Linda dig into something most anglers never think to ask about: what is the weather actually doing to the fish? Lisa breaks down how temperature, pressure, and atmospheric shifts influence fish behavior beneath the surface, and what that means for the person standing on the bank or sitting in the boat. The conversation also gets practical. Lisa offers a handful of tips for reading conditions before you head out and knowing when it's time to reel in and get off the water safely. This one is for the angler who has ever looked up at the clouds and wondered what the fish are doing down below. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastandConnect Follow Lisa on Facebook: Meteorologist Lisa Mishaels

    1h 7m

  3. May 6

    Lisa Gilliland | Title Nine

    Join host Linda Leary as she sits down with Lisa Gilliland, Community Manager at Title Nine, the women-owned outdoor and adventure apparel company that has spent nearly four decades outfitting and inspiring women to lead, risk, and own their adventures. Lisa pulls back the curtain on what it looks like to build a community of women from the inside out. She and Linda talk about Title Nine's mission to champion women entrepreneurs, how the brand has cultivated a network of women-owned businesses through their annual PitchFest program, and what it really means to create a rising tide for women in the outdoor and apparel space. The conversation explores how brands can put their values into action and why investing in women-owned businesses isn't just good ethics, it's good business. This episode is for the dreamers, the builders, and every woman who has ever wondered if there's a seat at the table for her. And speaking of seats at the table: applications for the Title Nine PitchFest are open now and close May 20th. If you are a woman entrepreneur with a product and a story to tell, this is your moment. Learn more and apply at titlenine.com/t9-pitchfest Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.titlenine.com Instagram: @titlenine

    56 min

  4. Apr 22

    Heather Harkavy | Fish For Change

    Join host Linda Leary as she sits down with Heather Harkavy, a driving force behind Fish for Change, a nonprofit using fly fishing as a doorway into something much bigger for young people. Heather shares the heart behind the Fish for Change scholarship program, which sends high school and college-aged students on one-week international fly fishing experiences, with 40% of participants joining on need-based scholarships. She and Linda talk about what happens to a teenager when you hand them a fly rod in a place they've never been, and why the ripple effects of that week tend to follow them for life. The conversation also turns to Joan Wolfe, whose legacy in fishing reminds us that the women who came before us were already casting in waters people said weren't meant for them. This one is for anyone who believes that a week on the water can change the direction of a young person's life. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.fishforchange.org Instagram: @fishforchange

    49 min

  5. Apr 8

    Jessica Haydahl | Jessica Haydahl Photography

    Join host Linda Leary as she sits down with Jessica Haydahl Richardson, a professional fishing photographer based in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, whose images have a way of making you feel like you were right there on the water. Linda and Jessica dig into the craft behind the photos, including the ongoing debate between film and digital photography and why both still have a place in storytelling. Jessica opens up about what it really took to leave stability behind and commit fully to life as a working photographer, and the two share a laugh over one of fishing's most beloved superstitions: whether having a photographer on the boat is good luck or a curse. Jessica also walks listeners through her photography mentorship program, built for women who want to learn the art and business of outdoor photography from someone who's actually lived it. If you've ever been moved by a photo taken on the water and wondered about the person behind the lens, this one is for you. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more about Jessica: https://www.jessicahaydahlphotography.com/ Instagram: @haydahlphoto

    59 min

  6. Mar 25

    Jaselyn Berthelot | Rising Sons

    She caught her first blue marlin at 13. Now, over 150 billfish releases later, Jaselyn Berthelot is one of the most decorated women in competitive offshore fishing and she's just getting started. In this episode, Linda and Anastasia sit down with Jaselyn, owner and main angler of Rising Sons, to talk about growing up dockside watching her dad, the moment a blue marlin changed everything, and what it takes to compete and win at the highest levels of the sport. Jaselyn walks us through her 2022 Sportfishing Championship Fan-Vote Angler of the Year win, her standout 2023 Texas Offshore Grand Champion title, and what it felt like to take the stage at the 2025 ESPYs as Female Angler of the Year. She also gets real about what it's like to be a woman carving space in a sport that hasn't always made room for her and why she's made it her mission to change the meaning of "fishing like a girl," one fish at a time. Whether you're a competitive angler, an outdoor enthusiast, or just someone who loves a great underdog story, this one's for you. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.risingsonsfishing.com Instagram: @jaselyn.berthelot and @risingsonsfishing

    1h 4m

  7. Mar 11

    Andrea Kelly | Make Plus Equal

    Join host Linda Leary as she sits down with Andrea Kelly, founder of Make Plus Equal, whose work in the apparel industry has been quietly reshaping who gets to show up in the outdoors. Andrea shares her experience driving major outdoor brands to expand their lines with inclusive sizing and styles for the plus-size community — and how that work led her to create Make Plus Equal. She and Linda dig into what it really means to make the outdoors accessible to everyone, the resistance that comes with pushing for change in a traditionally narrow industry, and why representation in gear isn't just about clothing — it's about belonging. This episode is for anyone who's ever felt like the outdoors wasn't made for them, and for the people bold enough to change that. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: makeplusequal.com Instagram: @makeplusequal

    39 min

  8. Feb 26

    Sarah & Kate | Dovetail Workwear

    Join host Linda Leary as she sits down with Sara and Kate, the founders of Dovetail Workwear, an apparel line built by women, for women during all phases of life. Sara and Kate share the origin story of Dovetail and what sparked their mission to create workwear designed with fit, function, and durability at the center of every product. They discuss the challenges of building gear that actually works for women's bodies and the impact of having equipment that supports you rather than holds you back. The conversation explores how women continue to break barriers in trades industries, claiming their space in fields where they've long been underrepresented. Whether you’re constantly working with your hands or inspired by women building businesses that solve real problems, this episode is a reminder that the right gear can change everything. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.dovetailworkwear.com Instagram: @dovetailworkwear

    1h 4m

  9. Feb 11

    Anastasia Patterson | Girl Fishing Gang

    Join host Linda Leary as she chats with Anastasia Patterson about building community and finding her place in competitive fly fishing. Anastasia shares her experience starting a fishing club at her college and the power of bringing anglers together. Linda and Anastasia swap stories about fishing with their fathers, reflecting on how those early memories shaped their love for the sport. They dive into the mental side of fishing—the patience, presence, and mindset required to succeed on the water—and Anastasia opens up about what it's really like to compete alongside the pros in a male-dominated sport. This episode is a testament to carving your own path, honoring where you came from, and showing up confidently in spaces where you might be the only woman in the lineup. Keep up with Anastasia: @anastasiapatterson_fishing on Instagram and @girlfishinggang Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastandConnect

    1h 2m

  10. Jan 28

    Jen Ripple | DUN Magazine

    Join host Linda Leary as she sits down with longtime friend Jen Ripple, founder and editor of DUN Magazine, for a conversation about women's fly fishing—past, present, and future. Jen shares the often-overlooked history of women in fly fishing and discusses breaking the apology cycle that many women face both on the water and in life. She opens up about her surprising royal ancestry and how it's shaped her perspective, then looks ahead at what's next for women anglers claiming their space in the sport. Whether you're a seasoned angler or curious about women's empowerment in outdoor sports, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a reminder to stop apologizing for taking up space. Learn more about Jen and follow along her journey: @Jen_ripple DUN Magazine Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastandConnect

    36 min
  11. Dallas Voss | Guiding The Kenai

    Jan 10

    Dallas Voss | Guiding The Kenai

    Episode 1: Dallas Voss - Guiding the Kenai Dallas Voss is doing what few women in Alaska dare to—running a fishing guide business on the legendary Kenai River. In this inaugural episode, she and Linda dive into the reality of life as a guide: the early mornings, the unpredictable days, and what it takes to earn your place on the water. From making the leap into trout fishing to the unique joy of putting a fly rod in a woman's hands for the first time, Dallas shares what keeps her coming back to the river season after season. Plus, they swap bucket list fishing destinations and talk about the places that fuel their obsession with wild waters. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to guide in Alaska—or you're just here for honest conversation about carving your own path in the outdoors—this one's for you. Learn more about Dallas: explorekenai.net Follow along her fishing adventures: @guidingthekenai, @explorekenai Connect with us: Follow @fishewear on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com Join the movement: #CastAndConnect

    48 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Hosted by Linda Leary, Founder of Fishewear Where bold women and wild waters meet. Linda turned her frustration with ill-fitting and boring fishing gear into Fishewear in 2015. Now she's bringing that Alaska grit to conversations with anglers, guides, and outdoor entrepreneurs rewriting the rules. From seasoned pros to industry leaders, we spotlight the men and women building bold businesses in the outdoor space. Expect real talk about what it takes to thrive, the community that lifts you up, and stories that inspire. New episodes every other week. Connect with us: @fishewear on Instagram

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