EP: 16 Healing, Empowerment, Representation: The Story Behind Her Waters

Dr. Yolanda Edwards, founder of Her Waters, Inc. and retired Army veteran, sits down with Ubuntu Fly Anglers podcast manager Alisha Bartlett for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about fishing, healing, and representation. Dr. Edwards learned to fish from her mother, who learned from her grandmother, a three-generation legacy of anglers. Yolanda’s work is not new. She founded the nonprofit Remain Hooked Outdoors in 2017 and, in January 2026, intentionally renamed the organization to Her Waters, Inc., a change that reflected deeper clarity and alignment with her mission. Her Waters (Healing, Empowerment, and Representation) exists to show female veterans, Black women, and girls that fly fishing is for them, too. Connect with Yolanda - Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mz.hookedonthefly/ Her Waters Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/herwatersinc/ Website - https://herwaters.org/ 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, 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, provide financial assistance, and create spaces where all anglers can thrive. At iFishiBelong, we celebrate individuality within the collective love of fishing, ensuring that everyone 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.