The Sustainable Angler
The Sustainable Angler podcast is your go-to source for insightful conversations about sustainability, conservation, and the future of fishing. Hosted by sustainability expert Rick Crawford, who is also the founder of the sustainability consultancy, Emerger Strategies, this podcast features interviews with fishing guides, artists, storytellers, scientists, conservationists, and sustainable business pioneers making a positive impact on our planet. Whether you're a passionate angler, outdoor enthusiast, or business looking to improve your sustainability performance, The Sustainable Angler delivers actionable insights and inspiring stories. Listen now to explore the intersection of fishing, conservation, and sustainable business—because protecting what we love starts wi...
EP 103. How to Recycle Fly Line: Airflo and TerraCycle’s Fly Shop Program | Andy Dunn, Gareth Jones, & Tom Szaky
Can you recycle fly line? Historically, no, but now you can. Airflo and TerraCycle have partnered to provide fly line recycling boxes to fly shops across the US, keeping thousands of river miles of fly line out of landfills and the environment.
Fly line is built to survive water, UV, and abrasion, which is great for anglers, but a real problem at end-of-life. In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I talk with Andy Dunn, Airflo’s Brand Manager, Gareth Jones, Airflo’s Managing Director, and Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, about how this partnership came...
EP 102. Can a Fishing Lure Be Biodegradable? Jonas Urwyler of Capt. Greenfin.
What if the lure you tie on could catch fish and leave nothing harmful behind ? On this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host Rick Crawford, founder of Emerger Strategies, a sustainability consulting firm serving fishing and outdoor brands sits down with Jonas Urwyler, angler and co-founder of Capt. Greenfin, a Swiss company challenging the fishing industry to rethink lures, hooks, jigs, and more. Their mission is to develop baits that catch reliably while leaving no plastic or other pollutants in the water.
Jonas and I dig into their sustainability innovation journey, including:
...EP 101. Inside AFFTA: Advocacy, Sustainability & Public Lands with Lucas Bissett
On this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host Rick Crawford, founder of Emerger Strategies, a sustainability consulting firm serving fishing and outdoor brands sits down with Lucas Bissett, fly fishing guide, conservationist, and Executive Director of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA), joins us to unpack how the organization is moving the fly fishing industry forward through community, advocacy, and education.
We talk about AFFTA Confluence, the industry's upcoming gathering in Salt Lake City, and how events like it build connection across the trade. Lucas breaks down AFFTA's advocacy work...
EP 100. How Angler's All Fly Shop Makes Sustainability Profitable with Chris Keeley
Can a fly shop actually make sustainability pay for itself? On this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host Rick Crawford founder of Emerger Strategies, a sustainability consulting firm serving fishing and outdoor brands sits down with Chris Keeley, angler, conservationist, and owner of Angler's All fly shop in Colorado, to find out.
Chris shares how Angler's All is turning environmental responsibility into a genuine business advantage — cutting energy, water, and waste costs through solar panels, EV charging stations, composting, and native landscaping. He also breaks down how the shop curates its brand lineup ar...
EP 99. The Best Fly Fishing Is Everywhere: Storytelling & Conservation with Jesse Lance Robbins
What if fly fishing wasn't a sport, but a practice — a way of relating to place, community, and conservation? In this episode, host Rick Crawford — founder of Emerger Strategies, a sustainability consulting firm serving fishing and outdoor brands sits down with angler, writer, and conservationist Jesse Lance Robbins, author of The Best Fly Fishing Is Everywhere: Stories in Celebration of Why We Fish, to unpack how storytelling shapes fly fishing education and river advocacy.
Jesse takes us through his winding path in the fly fishing industry — working in a fly shop, guiding, fundraising for Trout Unlimi...
EP 98. REI's Product Impact Standards: What Brands Need to Know — Brent Kawamura of REI
Brent Kawamura's path to sustainability wasn't a straight line — it started with an Environmental Science degree, wound through LEED-certified building projects, and landed him in Product Sustainability at REI. Along the way, fishing has remained the thread that keeps it all grounded.
In this episode, host Rick Crawford — founder of Emerger Strategies, a sustainability consulting firm serving fishing and outdoor brands — sits down with Brent to pull back the curtain on REI's Product Impact Standards and explore why the retail giant is pushing its brand partners to cut their carbon footprint. They dig into h...
EP 97. Riverhorse Nakadate — Water Lines, Wilderness & a Life Connected by Water
In this episode, host and Emerger Strategies founder Rick Crawford sits down with Riverhorse Nakadate — angler, surfer, writer, musician, adventurer, and a friend.
In this conversation, Riverhorse states that "books are magic portals that can take us to far-away places" — and after reading his new book, Water Lines: A Life on Marshes, Rivers, Seas, and in the Rain, you'll understand why. He shares rowdy, hilarious stories from a life spent wandering the salt marshes and coastlines of Texas, Colorado's alpine lakes, the Oregon and California shores, Minnesota's Boundary Waters, the Yucatán mangroves, the A...
EP 96. Tier 2 Suppliers, Supply Chain Transparency, and 40 Years of Outdoor Industry Sustainability — with Kevin Myette of Bluesign
Kevin Myette has one of the most storied careers in outdoor industry sustainability — and he's not done yet. In this episode, host and Emerger Strategies founder Rick Crawford sits down with Kevin, who is a 40-year outdoor industry veteran to trace the arc of sustainability from a grassroots conversation at Outdoor Retailer in 2006 all the way to the global frameworks shaping how brands operate today through his work at Bluesign.
Kevin was part of the early effort at REI to get competing brands to collaborate on sustainability — a movement that grew into the Sust...
EP 95. Fly Fishing, Climate Change & Conservation Storytelling, How AI is Warming Our Waters, & Why the Next Generation Gives Us Hope | Ross Purnell of Fly Fisherman Magazine
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, Emerger Strategies founder and host Rick Crawford sits down with Ross Purnell, Editor in Chief of Fly Fisherman Magazine, for a wide-ranging conversation that covers the past, present, and future of one of fly fishing's most storied publications — and how conservation storytelling protects the wild places we love.
We cover how AI and data centers are contributing to rising water temperatures, exacerbating climate change, and threatening fisheries across the country. Ross breaks down the Boundary Waters controversy, explains why more fly fishing brands are doing more for the re...
EP 94. Washington Just Sold Out the Boundary Waters — 20% of All U.S. National Forest Freshwater — Here's What Anglers Can Do | Land Tawney
America's public lands & waters are under attack — and what can you do about it.
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, Emerger Strategies founder and host Rick Crawford sits down with Land Tawney, a 25-year conservation veteran and co-leader of American Hunters and Anglers, to break down the most pressing threats facing hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts today.
Land and Rick dive deep into the controversial decision by 50 Republican lawmakers — including South Carolina Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott — to greenlight a foreign-owned copper-sulfide mine upstre...
EP 93. Fly Fishing, Music, Art, & Sustainability | Inside Soul Fly Lodge & Soul Fly Charleston with Alec "Griz" Griswold
What happens when a fly fishing lodge co-founder decides the community needs more than just great water and great guides? You get Soul Fly Co. — and an event that might just change how the fly fishing world thinks about gathering.
In this episode, host and Emerger Strategies founder, Rick Crawford, sits down with Alec "Griz" Griswold, co-founder of Soul Fly Co. and Soul Fly Lodge. Griz, alongside partners Kitri and Kyle Schaefer, is building something genuinely different: live music events designed specifically for the fly fishing community — events that celebrate the cult...
EP 92. How B-Corp Certification & Sustainability Data Can Transform Your Fishing Brand | Hazel Horvath of Ecolytics
What does it actually take for a fishing or outdoor brand to become B-Corp certified — and how do you prove your sustainability claims without greenwashing? In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host and Emerger Strategies Founder, Rick Crawford, is joined by Hazel Horvath, Founder and CEO of Ecolytics, a software platform built to solve one of the biggest challenges facing brands today: sustainability data management.
Hazel breaks down how Ecolytics helps companies streamline the B-Corp certification process by organizing and substantiating the data that certifications require — making it easier, faster, and more credible. They also...
EP 91. Why Public Lands Advocacy Matters for Anglers and Outdoor Brands | Keith Shattenkirk of Patagonia
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host and Emerger Strategies Founder, Rick Crawford, sits down with Keith Shattenkirk, Program Officer for Healthy Lands & Waters at Patagonia. Keith shares the fascinating story of how he transitioned from a career in finance to working on the frontlines of conservation for one of the most influential outdoor companies in the world.
They dive into some of the biggest conservation challenges facing anglers and outdoor enthusiasts today—including ongoing threats to America’s public lands like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Grand Staircase–Escalante Nation...
EP 90. There’s No Such Thing as a Green Product (Only Greener Ones) | Al Iannuzzi on Sustainable Product Strategy
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host and Emerger Strategies Founder, Rick Crawford, sits down with sustainability pioneer, author, and veteran Al Iannuzzi, to discuss what it really takes to build greener products—and why making improvements is only half the battle.
Al, author of Greener Products: The Making & Marketing of Sustainable Brands, shares insights from decades of experience helping companies design, improve, and market more sustainable products. We explore the three pillars of his work:
The business case for greener productsHow to actually make greener productsHow to market th...EP 89. Waste Audits, Public Lands, PFAS & Avoiding Greenwashing with Meg Careny
What if one simple habit after your next camping or fishing trip could dramatically reduce your environmental impact?
In this powerful episode of The Sustainable Angler, host and Emerger Strategies Founder, Rick Crawford, sits down with Meg Carney, founder of The Outdoor Minimalist, to explore practical, honest, and hopeful solutions for protecting the places we love. Meg shares how conducting a personal waste audit after your outdoor adventures can uncover hidden waste and help you make smarter, lower-impact choices moving forward.
We also dive into urgent threats facing our public lands—including a proposed copper su...
EP 88. Making the Business Case for Sustainability with Bob Willard
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host and Emerger Strategies Founder, Rick Crawford, is joined by sustainability expert, author, and speaker Bob Willard, one of the world’s leading voices on making the business case for sustainability.
Bob shares his journey from the corporate world into sustainability leadership and unpacks key insights from his book, The Sustainability Advantage. We dive into how sustainability drives real business value—from reducing operating expenses and attracting and retaining top talent to what may be the most overlooked benefit of all: risk avoidance.
We also explore how...
Bridging the Gap Between Nature-Based Solutions and Business: A Special Collaborative Episode with Dr. Elizabeth Fly of The Nature Conservancy & Conversing with Nature Podcast
In this special crossover episode, we dive into some of the most essential—and urgent—topics facing our coasts and our communities. We kick things off with climate change and ocean acidification before breaking down what nature-based solutions really are, including real-world examples like living shorelines and how businesses can be part of the climate solution by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Elizabeth Fly, Director of Resilience & Ocean Conservation at The Nature Conservancy and host of the podcast Conversing with Nature, shares insights on ecosystem resilience and the climate impacts alre...
EP 86. Protecting Public Lands & Nature with Paul Hendricks from The Conservation Alliance
This is a special episode of The Sustainable Angler because Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I’ve been reflecting on what I’m most grateful for this year. Nature is right at the top of that list. Over the past year, I’ve been inspired by books like Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Carbon by Paul Hawken, and my wife and I have made a point to get our kids outside—camping, hiking, fishing, and surfing. Experiencing the healing power of nature has made me even more concerned about what’s happening to America’s public lands and even more pr...
EP 85. Fighting for the ACE Basin: Stopping the Methane Megaproject with Belvin Olasov
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with Belvin Olasov, Director of the Charleston Climate Coalition, a grassroots organization of passionate Lowcountry citizens working to accelerate local climate solutions through creativity, compassion, and community action.
We dive deep into the Coalition’s incredible work — from developing Climate Action Plans for the Town of James Island and Charleston County, to building rain gardens, planting native species, and advocating for better transportation infrastructure like safer bike lanes downtown.
But the heart of this...
EP 84. Action Is the Antidote to Despair: Charlotte Ward on Climate Hope
In this inspiring episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with Charlotte Ward, Communications and Media Manager at Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) — the “best lobbyists money can’t buy.”
Charlotte shares how CCL empowers everyday citizens to meet with members of Congress, build bipartisan support for climate solutions, and advance policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions — including clean energy permitting reform and the Fix Our Forests Act.
We dive into the power of storytelling in driving climate action, why “action is the...
EP 83. Craig Mathews on Pheasant Tail Simplicity, 1% for the Planet, and Why Giving Back Is Good for Business
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with legendary angler, author, conservation advocate, and 1% for the Planet co-founder Craig Mathews. Craig recently co-authored a new book with Mauro Mazzo and Yvon Chouinard called Pheasant Tail Simplicity — a reflection on the lessons learned from a lifetime of fly fishing, fly tying, and protecting the wild places we love.
Craig shares the inspiring story behind how he and Yvon started 1% for the Planet, and how giving back isn’t just good for the planet — it’s good for business. We also dis...
EP 82. Action Alert! Redfish Regulations with Scotty Davis from ASGA
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with Scotty Davis from the American Saltwater Guides Association to discuss critical changes looming over our redfish fishery. South Carolina and Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources is considering lowering the Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) for redfish from 40% to 30%—a move that would forever compromise the health and recovery of this iconic species.
Scotty explains what’s at stake, why keeping the 40% SPR is essential, and how outdated regulations—unchanged for more than 30 years—must finally be addressed to protect redfish for future generations. We also break...
EP 81. Preserving Ancient Forests & Wetlands with National Geographic Photographer Mac Stone
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with National Geographic photographer, and TED speaker, and Executive Director of Naturaland Trust, Mac Stone to talk about the power of imagery in protecting wild places. Mac and I go back to 2008, when we first met working at the A Bar A Ranch in Wyoming, and we trace his journey from field biologist in the Everglades and Francis Beidler National to globally recognized storyteller.
We dive into:
How photography shaped public opinion of the Everglades through his book Everglades: America’s WetlandSurprising discoveries while wor...EP 80. How Nature Makes Us Healthier, Happier & Smarter with Dr. Susan Johnson
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host Rick Crawford welcomes Dr. Susan Johnson, founder of Nature at Work, a statewide initiative in South Carolina dedicated to connecting healthier people with healthier places through nature. Rick and Susan explore the healing power of the outdoors—from kayaking the Lowcountry’s salt marshes to research showing how hospital patient outcomes improve when they have views of nature.
Together, they discuss how spending just minutes outside can lower stress, improve heart health, boost focus, and even make us happier and more creative at work. Susan shar...
EP 79. Upcycling Kayaks Into Sunglasses with Dylan Coates and Stephen Vaughan from Hobie Eyewear
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with Dylan Coates and Stephen Vaughan from Hobie Eyewear to talk about one of the most innovative sustainability stories in the fishing industry.
Hobie Eyewear is transforming waste into value by upcycling leftover plastic from Hobie kayak manufacturing into their best-selling Hobie Hull sunglasses. The process is simple but brilliant: grind down kayak manufacturing scraps into pellets, then mold them into durable, floatable sunglass frames. The result? A product anglers love that also keeps plastic out of landfills.
Beyond innovation, Hobie...
EP 78. Monte Burke on Fishing with Legendary Anglers, Conservation & the Power of Storytelling
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with New York Times Best-Selling writer Monte Burke, author of Lords of the Fly and his latest book, Rivers Always Reach the Sea. Monte shares unforgettable stories of fishing with icons like Captain Steve Huff, Lefty Kreh, Andy Mill, and Yvon Chouinard, while reflecting on the deep connection between storytelling, fly fishing, and conservation.
We talk Atlantic Salmon, wild adventures in Patagonia, and how the written word can inspire action to protect the fish and the places we love. If you're passionate about fly fishing, legendary anglers...
EP 77. The Power of Honest Sustainability Storytelling with Ali Wines
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host Rick Crawford sits down with Ali Wines, founder of Uncommon Ground Communications and former Executive Director of Protect Our Winters Canada, to explore the critical role of storytelling in sustainability and climate communications.
Ali shares her inspiring journey from practicing law to becoming a leading voice in climate action and communications. We discuss how authentic, transparent, and data-driven storytelling helps brands build trust, avoid greenwashing, and connect with a growing community of values-driven anglers and outdoor...
EP 76. Josh "Bones" Murphy — Storytelling to Save the Planet
In this special episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with filmmaker, fisheries biologist, and master storyteller Josh “Bones” Murphy. You might recognize his powerful work in Artifishal, Purple Mountains, and The Scale of Hope—films that challenge the status quo and advocate for a deeper connection between people and planet.
We explore how stories help us make sense of the world, Josh’s evolution as a filmmaker at Liars and Thieves, and the inspirations behind his new nonprofit, Land & Sea for All—an organization committed to championing impact storytelling and amplifying individual...
EP 75. Bonus Episode: The Rise of Sustainability Regulations – What Brands Need to Know
In this special bonus episode of The Sustainable Angler, host Rick Crawford is joined by James Pollack, attorney at Marten Law, to unpack the rapidly evolving world of sustainability regulations. From PFAS restrictions and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws to SEC and California's climate-related disclosures and the crackdown on green marketing claims, this episode offers a high-level overview of the regulatory forces reshaping business.
Whether you're a brand selling into retail, a sustainability professional, or simply trying to keep up with the shifting legal landscape, this episode is your go-to guide for what’s happening now—and what...
EP 74. The Rise of Sustainability Regulations: Green Marketing Claims with James Pollack
In Part 4 of The Rise of Sustainability Regulations series, host Rick Crawford sits down with environmental lawyer James Pollack of Marten Law to explore one of the most high-stakes topics in sustainability today: green marketing claims.
With regulators, retailers, and consumers cracking down on greenwashing, how can brands in the fishing and outdoor industries talk about their sustainability efforts without getting into legal trouble?
In this episode, we cover:
What counts as greenwashing under U.S. lawHow the FTC’s Green Guides can help brandsWhat retailers expect from supplier marketing claimsBest practices fo...EP 73. The Rise of Sustainability Regulations: Climate-Related Disclosures with James Pollack
In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, we continue our Rise of Sustainability Regulations series with a timely conversation on climate-related disclosures featuring James Pollack, environmental attorney at Marten Law.
With new regulations like the SEC’s climate disclosure rule and California’s SB 253, SB 261, and AB 1305 taking effect, brands in the fishing and outdoor industries are under growing pressure to measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions. But what does that actually mean for your business?
James breaks down:
What these new climate disc...EP 72. The Rise of Sustainability Regulations: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) with James Pollack
In Part 2 of our special series The Rise of Sustainability Regulations, host Rick Crawford is joined by environmental attorney James Pollack of Marten Law to unpack one of the most important—and misunderstood—emerging policies in the outdoor industry: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging and Textiles.
With states like California, Oregon, Maine, and Colorado rolling out EPR for Packaging laws, fishing and outdoor brands are now being held accountable for the environmental impact of their packaging. In this episode, James shares how he helps top outdoor gear, apparel, and footwear companies navigate this...
EP 71. The Rise of Sustainability Regulations: PFAS with James Pollack
Welcome to a special 4-part series of The Sustainable Angler, where we tackle the most pressing sustainability regulations shaping the fishing and outdoor industries.
Over the next four weeks, I’ll be joined by James Pollack, environmental and regulatory lawyer at Marten Law, to unpack what brands need to know about PFAS (forever chemicals), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and climate regulations.
At Emerger Strategies, I help brands reduce costs, enhance reputation, and increase customer loyalty by measuring and improving su...
EP 70. Public Lands Are Not for Sale: A Conversation with Land Tawney
In this powerful episode of The Sustainable Angler, we're diving deep into a topic close to my heart: America’s public lands. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend countless days camping, hiking, and fly fishing on these wild, beautiful landscapes. Public lands connect us with nature, fuel our $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, and offer a spiritual refuge that’s becoming increasingly rare. But right now, they’re under serious threat.
Some lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina, are proposing to sell off our public lands to balance the fede...
EP 69. From Canvas to Camera: How Art and Film Shape Conservation with Paul Puckett & Hilton Graham
Hilton shares his extraordinary journey from political operative to documentary filmmaker after surviving cancer twice and receiving a life-changing stem cell transplant that he calls his "rebirth." This profound reset led him to abandon the pursuit of power for the authentic storytelling that now defines his award-winning films like "Tension" and "Father Nature."
Meanwhile, Paul reveals how his lifelong obsession with drawing fish began in middle school and eventually became his artistic signature. His philosophy that "every painting is a stepping stone" captures his humble approach to a body of work that has helped raise hundreds of...
EP 68. Gene Gilliland, National Conservation Director at B.A.S.S.
In this episode, we dive into the world of bass fishing with the Bass Angler Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), the largest fishing organization in the world with over half a million members. Founded in 1968 by Ray Scott, B.A.S.S. has been a driving force behind professional bass fishing, youth involvement, and conservation efforts.I sit down with Gene Gilliland, who is a nationally renowned fisheries biologist and the National Conservation Director at B.A.S.S. to explore key challenges in bass fisheries management, from invasive species and aquatic plant control to the surprising impacts of...
EP 67. Josh Jenkins, R&D Manager at Scientific Anglers
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Josh Jenkins, Research and Development Manager for Scientific Anglers, and we dive into an important topic: sustainable packaging. We’ll discuss the innovative steps Scientific Anglers has taken to reduce its environmental impact, the challenges and opportunities in moving toward more sustainable materials, and what this means for the future of the fly fishing industry.Thank you for tuning in—and Be sure to check out TheSustainableAngler.com for some sweet TSA merch, and if you enjoy the podcast, an absolutely free way to your support is by leaving it a five-star rating a...
EP 66. Rebecca Haynes, VP National Audubon Society
Did you know that South Carolina has a long history of conservation? In fact, conservation is baked into our constitution and Audubon South Carolina continues that legacy today by working with policy makers and land owners to support habitat conservation and restoration in our state with bird- and climate- friendly forestry. Additionally, Audubon South Carolina owns and manages 30,000 acres of land at Beidler Forest and Silver Bluff where they work on longleaf pine restoration, natural climate solutions, and provide an example for other land owners for how to manage their own land. That’s why I am stoked to share my...
EP 65. Steve Duda
Storytellers have a unique ability to engage and captivate their audience, which is a critical skillset to have when it comes to saving the planet, which is why I am stoked to share my interview with Steve Duda who is a writer and the former editor of the Fly Fish Journal, and today is the Head of Fish Tales at Patagonia. In this episode we discuss his new book, River Songs:, the role of storytelling when it comes to deadbeat dams, climate change, and why fly anglers are often the tip of the spear when it comes to activism. Steve...
EP 64. Eddie Nickens
Hunters and anglers have a long history of fighting for access, protection and the conservation of America’s bountiful natural resources, and today, our fisheries face multiple threats from overfishing, nutrient pollution, plastic pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change. In this episode I interview T. Edward Nickens, who is a New York Times best-selling author and award-winning journalist that I am lucky to call a friend. We discuss Eddie’s writing background and new biography of Flip Pallot, environmental threats to our fisheries, the power of storytelling to effect change, and what you can you do as an individual to prot...
