How did you get into this field of work?
I developed Wade Well because I saw a gap between the demands of angling and physical sustainability. As a fly fishing instructor and functional movement specialist, I was watching anglers spend long days on rivers without truly understanding how to move their bodies well, prevent injury, improve balance, or build resilience to better navigate wild terrain.
Wade Well was born as a method — a way of blending fly fishing with functional movement and mobility and recovery protocols to support longevity and confidence in the sport. It became the foundation for how I teach people to tend to their bodies so that they’re better able to methodically wade rivers, cast efficiently, and move through dynamic environments with awareness and strength.
Over time, that work naturally expanded into women’s programming — which ultimately led to the launch of Aquila Women’s Fly Fishing Academy. Wade Well is for any and all anglers, but I’ve always been passionate about supporting women across outdoor recreation and sport, so I was excited to build something impactful in the fly fishing education space as well.
Tell us about your newest program, Aquila Women’s Fly Fishing Academy!
After five years of running women’s fly fishing retreats, workshops, and casting events under Wade Well, I officially launched the Aquila Women’s Fly Fishing Academy in late 2025 to create a dedicated home for women’s education.
Aquila represents precision, vision, and tenacity — all qualities that I see in the women that I work with, and also qualities that are embedded in the practice of fly fishing.
Wade Well remains the movement methodology — the lens through which I teach body awareness, mobility, and functional movement for all anglers. Aquila is now the official academy that hosts women’s fly fishing education, clinics, socials, and immersive experiences. It brings clarity to the mission: Aquila leads women in fly fishing education. Wade Well supports how we move on the water.
Why is it so important to provide women with opportunities for learning and growth in the fly fishing space?
Women are the fastest growing demographic in our sport, and there are definitely more and more brands building product lines and marketing to women now, which is wonderful. But true educational ecosystems built specifically for women still seem to be fairly limited. What was missing wasn’t just gear. It was:
- Structured curriculum
- Long-term skill development
- Women-led instruction
- Psychological safety to learn without pressure
That’s the gap that Aquila aims to fill. As women-led fly fishing programs continue to grow across the sport, it’s exciting to see how eager our demographic is to fully invest in their skill development.
Can you talk about the value of community, inclusivity, and women in leadership within the male-dominated fly fishing space?
Representation in leadership really does matter. When women see other women teaching, guiding, and leading on rivers, there’s a subconscious shift, and it completely changes what feels possible. It moves the dynamic from “invited guest” to “belonging.”
While we still oftentimes see the same small segment of women being positioned as the few female leaders in our sport, I think it’s important to keep broadening that scope. Women have been leading and shaping fly fishing since its inception, and there are countless women across the globe who’ve paved the way and continue to make a massive impact. We aren’t just hobbyists or enthusiasts—we’re dedicated professionals.
It’s also not about “us” versus “them” – many of my personal mentors are men and I love to see men supporting women in angling. But I’m also passionate about the idea that we need more women who’re confident in taking up space and owning their place as leaders.
Fly fishing often appears solitary when we look at the typical photos featured on magazine covers, and many do love to spend a good deal of time fishing solo, myself included. But it can also be a really powerful connector. I think most would agree that fly fishing isn’t just about the fish and it isn’t just about the ecosystems we explore. It’s very much about the people.
The social element can also help to reduce intimidation while building the accountability needed to continue learning, and at the end of the day, I think we’re all looking for connection with others across shared interests.
Many of the Aquila participants end up building meaningful friendships, which is a really big part of what makes these group clinics and events so special. And despite my taking the seat as educator and facilitator, I also get to meet and form relationships with the amazing women who attend Aquila events. I think there’s something very human about coming together in community, learning new skills, and cultivating new friendships.Especially as adults, making new friends can be hard! And social wellness is important. So I like to think that Aquila really speaks to many different avenues for health and growth.
The photos in this article were taken during one of your workshops at Gallatin River Lodge. Tell us about your experience working with them, and why it’s so important for local businesses to support women’s programming.
Hosting at Gallatin River Lodge has been such a fantastic partnership. The setting allows for a perfect blend of education with experience. I can host casting socials on beautiful grounds, integrate mindful movement sessions from the Wade Well method, and highlight their exceptional food and beverage program. It elevates the experience beyond a standard lesson and creates an immersive and relaxed environment that supports both learning and connection. Their space aligns perfectly with the Aquila mission: depth, intention, and quality over quantity. And their team is top notch and a joy to work with, too.
Collaboration is always so important when building a community-first small business, and the Bozeman network has been incredibly supportive. I’ve been fortunate to partner with many lodges, outfitters, gear brands, and local businesses that actively support women stepping into fly fishing. Some of the highlight partnerships have been Gallatin River Lodge, TroutChasers, Bodhi Farms, Simms, Oros, Gastro Gnome, The Well Juicery, and Field & Stream Lodge Co.
When local businesses visibly invest in women’s programming, it signals something that I think is really important: women aren’t a niche audience — they’re part of the core fly fishing community. That support strengthens the entire ecosystem, and it creates economic opportunity and ultimately helps to expand participation and create collaborative momentum.
How does your focus on one-on-one lessons compare to the experience of guided fishing?
One-on-one instruction is very different from guided fishing. A guided trip is, at its core, focused around catching fish in real-time. As a client, when you book a guided day of fishing you can expect that the guide will take you to the river, provide the gear, select the flies, tie them on, tell you where to cast, and net your fish. Which isn’t to minimize the fact that many guides are fantastic coaches and absolute experts at their craft. Every guide shapes their own program, and some implement teaching elements more than others. They bring you to incredible fisheries that they have in-depth relationships with and help you to experience those places with a fly rod in hand. Guided fishing is also frequently the gateway for many new anglers; it’s the experience that leaves them realizing that they want to begin going deep. Many of my students share that after going on several guided fishing trips, they’re now ready to sit down and start studying.
My private lessons provide that opportunity to begin digging into the intricacies of the sport in an education-first setting. Students receive a manual and we move through a defined curriculum. We break down gear and casting mechanics, learn knots, and work on rigging, entomology, fly selection, trout behavior and reading water. We also discuss stream etiquette, safe fish handling, and stewardship ethics.
If you’re looking for someone to take you out for a day of fly fishing, book a guide. If you’re excited about committing to the work of becoming a capable and well educated angler, book a lesson with me. Many women who come to Aquila want the independence and confidence to get out and fish whenever they’d like. One-on-one work accelerates that process dramatically.
What programs do you currently have available?
Through Aquila Women’s Fly Fishing Academy, I currently offer:
- Beginner Fly Fishing Foundations day schools and multi-week series
- Fly casting socials
- Seasonal clinics
- One-on-one and custom small group instruction for skill development and mentorship
Each program focuses on technical fly fishing education with elements of the Wade Well method integrated to teach women how to implement strong casting mechanics, wade safely and confidently, and understand how to navigate rivers efficiently, effectively, and mindfully for the long-term. Multi-day retreats have been on pause, though I plan to bring them back into the Aquila programming in the near future.
To learn more about Lindsay and Wade Well, visit lindsaykocka.com; more info on Aquila Women’s Fly Fishing Academy can be found at aquilaflyfishing.com.
Aquila represents precision, vision, and tenacity - all qualities that I see in the women that I work with, and also qualities that are embedded in the practice of fly fishing.
When women see other women leading on rivers, there’s a subconscious shift...it changes what feels possible. It moves the dynamic from “invited guest” to “belonging.”