Growing up in western Washington State, Ashley Nichole Lewis was surrounded by women who fished. Her mother—part of a long line of Quinault fisherwomen—was the one who taught her to reel in her first fish in local rivers. It wasn’t until Lewis started working as a professional salmon and steelhead fishing guide that she stepped into a different world.
Ashley Nichole Lewis is On the Front Lines of Kayak Fishing’s Big Shift
“I’d always seen women engaged in sport in my community, so it hadn’t occurred to me it would be different for me as a woman in the outdoor industry,” she says. It wasn’t just that the space was male-dominated—she also saw a clear disconnect between people’s reverence for wilderness and the ecological changes occurring.
It’s a story resonating with many. In addition to starring in NBC Sports’ series Break Out with Bad Ash, her YouTube channel—where Lewis shares angling and kayaking tips—has more than 10,000 subscribers.
Today, Lewis is pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental and Indigenous history, with a focus on salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest. We spoke with the kayak angler about using fishing to explore her heritage and educate others—all while transforming what the outdoor industry looks like.
Q&A with Ashley Nichole Lewis
Kayak Angler: Who are you?
Ashley Nichole Lewis: I’m a member of the Quinault Indian Nation. We have been here since time immemorial, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. When we talk about our families, we talk about five generations back, when my family were canoe and boat builders, here on the Washington, Oregon, Columbia River. I feel proud to be the continuity of that legacy.
KA: Why did you make the transition to kayak fishing?
ANL: I came to the outdoor industry as a fishing guide on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, fishing out of drift boats and jet sleds. But when I went back to school, I liked the idea of a fishing experience that was more for me. About five years ago, I climbed in a kayak for the first time. I was hooked—I like the autonomy in a kayak. It’s also much more affordable and accessible; it can get you on so many different bodies of water.
KA: What’s it like being a woman working in a male-dominated space?
ANL: There is a patriarchal system that the fishing world is built on. It’s made meaningful strides but still has a long way to go. In the beginning, I felt this incredible amount of responsibility to have answers to problems that were too big for one person, like, “How do we make outdoor spaces more welcoming for women?” Now, I understand I don’t have to have the answers or take down the system. My presence and reaching down the ladder and pulling other people up are enough sometimes.
KA: Where is your dream kayak fishing destination?
ANL: One of my favorite fish is albacore tuna—they’re incredibly strong and delicious. But the trips to catch them are 80 miles offshore. I can’t pedal or paddle that far out. So, I’ve always wanted to do mother shipping, when a boat brings my kayak out and drops me off to go tuna fishing. It can potentially be dangerous to catch powerful fish from a kayak. They tire themselves out by being hooked to you and dragging you around. It’s an interesting advantage if you embrace it.
KA: When do you feel like you have the best job?
ANL: What I’ve always done in my job—as a salmon fisher and guide, teacher and mentor—is help people access the exciting moment of catching a fish. The fishing town you come from and the fishing town I came from all leave indelible marks on who we are as people; they shape us. Being able to provide the historical context also helps people understand themselves and their identities based on change over time, as it relates to fishing and the outdoor world.
This article was first published in the Spring 2024 issue of Paddling Magazine. On a mission to ignite a fishing revolution. | Feature photo: Courtesy Ashley Nichole Lewis
ANL for the win. Great interview!