- 18
- Episodes
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Cast & Connect: The Fishe Files
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
- Publisher
- Cast and Connect
- Category
- business
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 10 Jan 2026
- Latest episode
- 24 Sept 2026
Latest episodes
18 episodes in the feed.
24 Sept 2026
Greg Thompson | Girl Dad Outdoor Podcast
In this episode, Linda sits down with Greg Thompson, creator and host of the Girl Dad Outdoor Podcast, to talk about what it really means to raise daughters who feel confident exploring the outdoors alongside him. Greg opens up about why adventure has become such a core part of his relationship with his girls, and how being willing to feel uncomfortable himself, physically, emotionally, whatever it takes, sends a message to his daughters that's bigger than any pep talk ever could. This conversation is a gentle reminder that showing kids what courage looks like often starts with modeling it yourself. Whether you're a parent, an outdoor lover, or just someone who needs a little nudge to try the hard thing today, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what it means to lead by example. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Tune Spotify | Girl Dad Outdoor Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/4NOcL0a3UqxDiD8NmhlBb9?si=0a764808cd274086) Apple Podcast | Girl Dad Outdoor Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/girl-dad-outdoors-podcast/id1870186736) Website: girldadoutdoorspodcast.com (http://girldadoutdoorspodcast.com)
10 Sept 2026
Jessa Gilbert | Artist + Backcountry Guide
In this episode, host Linda Leary sits down with visual artist and backcountry guide Jessa Gilbert to talk about what it really means to live inside creative flow. Linda shares how she first discovered Jessa's work and talent, and the two dig into what happens when an artist stops trying to force a piece and instead lets the moment, the mountain, or the water lead the way. Jessa opens up about her process of using single, continuous lines to capture motion, the human experience, and the temporality of wilderness itself, and how that same sense of flow shows up whether she's on a splitboard, a trail, or standing in front of a blank canvas. The conversation also moves into something Jessa has made central to her work: bringing the backcountry into urban spaces. From large scale murals in city centers to smaller studies born out of time spent outside, Jessa talks about why she believes creating a relationship with nature, even from within a city, is one of the most powerful ways to protect it. It's a reminder that you don't need to be standing on a ridge to feel connected to the wild. Sometimes all it takes is looking up at the right wall. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more about Jessa and her work: www.jessagilbert.com (http://www.jessagilbert.com) Instagram: @jessagilbert (https://www.instagram.com/jessagilbert/?hl=en)
26 Aug 2026
April Vokey | Anchored Outdoors (Guest Co-host Jen Ripple)
Some guests need an introduction. April Vokey doesn't, not really, not for the people who've been rooting for her from the start. She's a BC-born guide, a certified casting instructor, a fly tyer, a podcaster, and the founder of Anchored Outdoors, the online membership platform that's become a home base for anglers looking to actually grow in this sport, not just dabble in it. But long before any of that, she was a kid assembling tackle boxes, chasing salmon and steelhead along the BC coast by sixteen, and turning a childhood obsession into a life's calling by twenty four. This episode comes with a bonus: Linda is joined by Jen Ripple for a three way conversation between old friends, and the energy shows it. Together they trace April's evolution through the outdoor industry, from those early days on the water all the way to building Anchored Outdoors into what it is today. There's a lot of ground covered, and a lot of laughing along the way. The gals also take a detour down memory lane, reminiscing on trips they've taken together over the years and starting to plot where they want to fish next (consider this your sign to start taking notes). This one's honest, funny, and a little bit uncensored in the best way. Grab your coffee (or your rod) and settle in with three women who clearly have a lot of history and even more experience. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.aprilvokey.com (http://www.aprilvokey.com) Tune into The Anchored Podcast (https://aprilvokey.com/podcast/) Shop April’s new book: The World Through Your Eyes (https://theworldthroughyoureyes.com/?v=0b3b97fa6688) Instagram: @aprilvokey (https://www.instagram.com/aprilvokey/)
12 Aug 2026
Jessica Rostad | Big Rays
Today's guest is co-owner of Big Ray's, one of Alaska's most iconic outfitters, a business that's been part of the state since 1947. Jessica shares what it was like watching her dad build a life around outfitting Alaskans for the outdoors, and how she went from causing chaos in the store as a youngster, to becoming a majority owner of the business. She gives listenters a peek behind the curtain of what it’s like to operate such an iconic Alaskan company even to designing the Arolik wader line from scratch, built specifically to handle Alaska's toughest conditions. We talk about what it means to run a statewide operation across Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Kodiak while keeping the heart of a hometown store intact, right down to the physical catalog Big Ray's still mails to villages across the state. Jessica also gets real about stepping into leadership in an industry that's historically been dominated by men, and the quiet confidence it took to claim her place in it. This one is for anyone who's ever inherited something they love and had to figure out how to make it their own. Jessica's story is proof that home, family, and purpose don't have to be separate paths. Sometimes they're the exact same trail. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.bigrays.com (http://www.bigrays.com/) Instagram: @bigrays1947 (https://www.instagram.com/bigrays1947/#)
16 Jul 2026
Maxine McCormick | Youngest World Fly Casting Champion
In this episode, Linda sits down with Maxine McCormick, the youngest world champion in fly casting history, to talk about how a father daughter outing turned into a decade long love affair with accuracy casting. Maxine walks us through those early days on the casting pond and the whirlwind of becoming a world champion at just 12 years old, an accomplishment most kids couldn't wrap their heads around, and turns out, neither could she. It's one of those refreshingly humble moments in the episode where Maxine shares that the weight of what she'd actually done didn't really sink in until she was older, looking back on it all with new eyes. Linda and Maxine also get into their favorite places to cast a line, along with the dream destinations still sitting on their bucket lists, the kind of conversation that'll have you googling flights by the end of it. And Maxine isn't just resting on her titles. She opens up about life beyond the podium, from studying biology at the University of Washington, to working behind the counter at a Seattle area fly shop, and stepping into the role of teacher for the next generation of young casters coming up behind her. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more about Maxine: www.maxineflyfishing.com (http://www.maxineflyfishing.com) Instagram: @maxine_mccormick (https://www.instagram.com/maxine_mccormick/)
2 Jul 2026
Angelica Talan | Editor of DUN Outdoors
In this episode, Linda sits down with Angelica Talan, content creator, Senior Executive Editor at DUN Outdoors Magazine, and a woman who knows what it feels like to lose touch with a piece of herself and find her way back. Angelica shares her (hilarious and a little smelly) story of rediscovering fishing later in life and how that first cast back on the water felt less like learning something new and more like remembering who she'd always been. She and Linda talk about that quiet, almost spiritual pull back to the water, the kind of moment you don't plan for but somehow recognize the second it happens. It's a conversation about coming home to yourself, discovering life long friendships in unexpected places, and so much more. Tune in to get a sneak peak of Angelica’s latest and greatest projects. Her work with FisheWear and her platform with DUN Outdoors and USA Today's Expert Panel Series have already made her a voice worth following, and this next chapter sounds like it's just getting started. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Instagram: @angelicatalan (https://www.instagram.com/angelicatalan/?hl=en) TikTok: @angelica_talan (https://www.tiktok.com/@angelica_talan) YouTube: Angelica Talan (https://www.youtube.com/@angelicainthecity) DUN Magazine: Angelica Talan (https://dunmagazine.com/authors/angelica-talan)
18 Jun 2026
Stacey Benham | Casting for Recovery
Some organizations don't just change the sport. They change lives. 🎣💗 In this episode, host Linda Leary sits down with Stacey Benham, Director of Marketing and Communications at Casting for Recovery, the national nonprofit that has been bringing women with breast cancer to the water since 1996. What started as an idea between a fly fisher and a breast reconstruction surgeon has grown into a movement, now hosting around 60 retreats across all 50 states and serving over 800 women every year. Stacey and Linda talk about the origin story of Casting for Recovery, how Stacey found her way to the organization, and what it actually looks like when a woman walks into one of these retreats for the first time. Each retreat brings together just 14 women, creating an intimate space where participants learn to cast, tie flies, and spend time on the water alongside medical professionals, counselors, and guides, all completely free of charge. But this conversation goes beyond the logistics. It gets into why fly fishing, specifically, holds such a unique kind of medicine. The gentle motion of casting was intentionally chosen for its therapeutic benefit, helping women rebuild strength and mobility in muscles affected by surgery and radiation while also offering something that no clinical setting can: peace, nature, and the feeling of being surrounded by women who get it. This one is for anyone who has been touched by breast cancer, anyone who has ever found healing in the outdoors, and anyone who believes that sometimes the most powerful thing you can offer a woman is a fly rod and a weekend to just breathe. Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more about Cast for Recovery: www.castingforrecovery.org (http://www.castingforrecovery.org/) Instagram: @castingforrecovery (https://www.instagram.com/castingforrecovery)
3 Jun 2026
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 (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.proishunting.com (http://www.proishunting.com) Instagram: @proishunting (https://www.instagram.com/proishunting/)
20 May 2026
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 (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Follow Lisa on Facebook: Meteorologist Lisa Mishaels (https://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistLisaMichaels/)
6 May 2026
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 (https://www.titlenine.com/t9-pitchfest-outdoor.html) Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.titlenine.com (http://www.titlenine.com/) Instagram: @titlenine (https://www.instagram.com/titlenine/)
22 Apr 2026
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 (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.fishforchange.org (http://www.fishforchange.org/) Instagram: @fishforchange (https://www.instagram.com/fishforchange/)
8 Apr 2026
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 (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more about Jessica: https://www.jessicahaydahlphotography.com/ (https://www.jessicahaydahlphotography.com/) Instagram: @haydahlphoto (https://www.instagram.com/haydahlphoto)
25 Mar 2026
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 (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.risingsonsfishing.com (http://www.risingsonsfishing.com/) Instagram: @jaselyn.berthelot (https://www.instagram.com/jaselyn.berthelot/) and @risingsonsfishing (https://www.instagram.com/risingsonsfishing/)
11 Mar 2026
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 (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: makeplusequal.com (http://makeplusequal.com/) Instagram: @makeplusequal (https://www.instagram.com/makeplusequal/?hl=en)
26 Feb 2026
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 (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastandConnect Learn more and Shop: www.dovetailworkwear.com (http://dovetailworkwear.com/) Instagram: @dovetailworkwear (https://www.instagram.com/dovetailworkwear/)
11 Feb 2026
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 (https://www.instagram.com/anastasiapatterson_fishing/) on Instagram and @girlfishinggang (https://www.instagram.com/girlfishinggang/) Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (http://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastandConnect
28 Jan 2026
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_ (https://www.instagram.com/jen_ripple/?hl=en)ripple (https://www.instagram.com/jen_ripple/?hl=en) DUN Magazine (https://dunmagazine.com) Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/?hl=en) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (https://fishewear.com) Join the movement: #CastandConnect
10 Jan 2026
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 (https://explorekenai.net/) Follow along her fishing adventures: @guidingthekenai (https://www.instagram.com/guidingthekenai/), @explorekenai (https://www.instagram.com/explorekenai/) Connect with us: Follow @fishewear (https://www.instagram.com/fishewear/) on Instagram Shop bold, functional gear at fishewear.com (https://fishewear.com/) Join the movement: #CastAndConnect
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