3 Tips on Rowing from Fly Fishing Guide McKenna Hulslander | Guide Talk

with: mckennahulslander

McKenna Hulslander is a passionate fly fishing guide and business owner, combining her love for the backcountry with a strong sense of conservation. Through her work with @outcast_adventures_, McKenna is breaking boundaries in a male-dominated industry, inspiring others—especially women—to embrace the sport. In this interview, she shares her top tips for rowing, her journey as a guide, and the challenges she's faced along the way

What are your top 3 tips for someone who’s new to rowing and wants to
improve their skills?

1. I would say get on the water as much as you can with experienced guides and oarsmen and ask them as many questions as they will allow. I believe the best way is putting yourself in various situations in the safest way that require you to make important real time decisions.

2. Learning how to scout and execute certain maneuvers is extremely helpful when learning how to row. and will alow you to be able run harder water and get you to where all the big fish live ha

3. I also believe that rowing comes down to believing in yourself, if you make a decision stick to it and know that you can row it.

About: McKenna Hulslander

McKenna, what led you to become a fly fishing guide, and what’s been the most rewarding part of your journey with @outcast_adventures_?

I became a fly fishing guide because I wanted to share my love for the backcountry and conservation with people who also want to enjoy such places. I am passionate about passing down the approach and etiquette I learned from my grandpa and father to the next generation of enthusiasts. One of the most rewarding aspects of Outcast Adventures is seeing how people's perspective changes as they dive deeper into the backcountry, oftentimes this comes as a reflection of gratitude
for other areas in our life. I first started jumping into fly fishing when I was in early high school and at that point in my life escaping to the backcountry of Montana brought me balance and appreciation and I love sharing that with other people

As a woman in the fly fishing industry, have you faced any unique challenges, and how have you overcome them to establish yourself as a guide and business owner?

I think being an industry where most guides are men, it is a surprise for certain clients to have a woman guide, but I believe that if you know what you're doing, show it. Most clients' perception quickly changes when they understand I know what I am doing and we share a common goal of having the best time together. At the end of the day being able to walk the walk is the most important and if you can do that, the talking usually takes care of itself. Being a woman guide and business owner I have a unique opportunity to connect with certain clients and in this case creating women's groups is the perfect
position to create a space that is encouraging and authentic

What advice would you give to other women looking to break into guiding or the fly fishing industry in general?

I'd say sign up for an Outcast Adventures group trip! I think the best thing women can do is throw themselves into the industry and meet as many people as they can, because really the outdoor industry is a big family of people that share a love for the backcountry. It doesn't hurt to meet anyone new and make connections, I wouldn't be doing what I do without the support of Hilary Hutchenson who was willing to teach me through the process of becoming a guide. Go to the closest
fly shop, fly fishing event, or conservation meeting and introduce yourself, you'll never know who is there.

Running a guiding business must come with its fair share of challenges. How do you balance the business side of @outcast_adventures_ with your passion for fishing?

Having a mom who is an accountant has been more of a blessing than I ever thought possible. Fortunately the business side of Outcast can be fixed with a simple call to mom and doesn't require too much time so I can focus a lot of my time on fishing either with clients or with friends. I have enjoyed the challenges of growing a business on my own because I get to make it exactly how I see it and I want it to be as real and authentic as I am. At the end of the day I want to help
people, tell a few good stories, and catch a lot of fish