079 Focus, Patience, and Reward: Fly Fishing with Linda Leary of FisheWear

When Women Fly

Today we continue an exploration of the ways in which we "fly". The facts of our experiences of flight are different. But so many of the emotions we experience along our journeys are remarkably similar.
Meet Linda Leary. Entrepreneur. Outdoorswoman. Angler.
She learned to fly fish as a child in Maine with her father, an avid fly fisherman. But, Linda noticed she was always having to wear baggy men’s fishing clothing that didn’t make her feel comfortable or confident.
This is when her idea of FisheWear was born, a women’s fly fishing apparel company that makes functional, unique clothing that female fishers can feel confident and comfortable in. FisheWear makes clothing and accessories including leggings, belts, hats, and more, that have been designed through collaboration with artists. Since its inception in 2015, FisheWear has gone on to collaborate with companies like Orvis, XTRATUF, and more.
In this episode, Sylvia and Linda talk about the beginnings of FisheWear, comparisons between fly fishing and flying, how fly fishing can be transformative, the importance of networks when starting a company, and inclusion in the fly fishing industry.
Topics Include:
- Linda’s history with fly fishing
- Getting out of your comfort zone and learning something new
- The importance of letting go of perfection while still exercising precision
- Experience of Alaskan lodges and fishing expeditions
- Future vision of FisheWear
- How nature is crucial for energy and inspiration
- Advice for entrepreneurs
- Starting a new career later in life
- Special places in Alaska
- The transformative nature of focus and patience
- And other topics…
Linda Leary is the founder of FisheWear, a woman’s fly fishing apparel company based in Alaska. FisheWear collaborates with artists to make unique, comfortable women’s fishing clothing and gear. FisheWear has collaborations with Orvis, XTRATUF, and others. Linda also owns Women’s Fly Fishing, a company that offers fly fishing classes and trips for women and couples. Before FisheWear, Linda worked as a partner and later president of Carlile Transportations Systems, a trucking and logistics company based in Alaska.
Resources Mentioned:
FisheWear: https://fishewear.com/
Listeners: "SoFly15” at checkout for 15% off
Women’s Fly Fishing: https://womensflyfishing.com/
Cokie: A Life Well Lived by Steven V. Roberts: https://www.amazon.com/Cokie-Lived-Steven-V-Roberts/dp/0062851470/
How I Built This by Guy Raz: https://www.amazon.com/How-Built-This-Unexpected-Entrepreneurs/dp/0358216761/
Transitions by William Bridges: https://www.amazon.com/Transitions-Making-Sense-Lifes-Changes/dp/0738285404/
* No affiliate links. These are purely books mentioned or recommended in the conversation. No kickbacks received.
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