Featured Ambassador: Kenzie Quinn

Introduction

If you’ve ever needed a reminder that the outdoors can hold you up when life feels heavy, you’re going to love this one. This ambassador brings equal parts grit, warmth, and humor to everything she does—on the water, in her community, and in the work she does every day. From Michigan rivers to Montana current lines, she’s built a life around showing up with heart, sharing the stoke, and making sure others feel like they belong.

Why Kenzie Quinn Stand out 

What makes her stand out isn’t just her fly fishing story—it’s the way she lives it. She’s a child and adolescent therapist supporting kids through extensive trauma, then turns around and pours that same compassion into the fishing community. She mentors, volunteers, and actively creates space for women to feel safe, confident, and welcomed on the water. She’s the kind of person who makes you feel seen, hypes you up when you’re learning, and still keeps it real with a perfectly-timed sarcastic one-liner.

Fast Fishe Facts

Favorite fish: A big streamer-eatin’ brown trout for freshwater, and permit for saltwater (even though permit will probably break your heart a little).

Most-loved Fishe product: My Brookie Fleece (so cozy and warm) and my Brookie Dry Backpack—I take it everywhere I travel. The new Permit pattern is my current favorite, and I’m obsessed with my Mt. Cutty pattern buff. Honestly, it’s hard to choose—I want everything in every collection.

Dogs or cats: Dogs. I grew up with Bernese Mountain Dogs, and they’ll always have a special place in my heart. One tail wag can turn your whole day around (no offense to cat people).

Can’t survive winter without: Coffee, whiskey, and fishing—usually all three at the same time.

Basic Facts

Hometown: Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I grew up fishing the Rouge River, Grand River, and Au Sable for dry fly fishing in the summer, and chasing steelhead in the winter on the Pere Marquette. I’ve lived in Bozeman, Montana for about 11 years now, and I consider both places home. My favorite Montana river is the Yellowstone during grasshopper season—nothing better.

Years with Fishe: First year, and I hope it’s the first of many.

Current base: Bozeman, MT—though I’m always looking for the next fishing trip.

Day job: I’m a child and adolescent therapist, working with kids who have been through extensive trauma. It’s emotionally taxing work, which is why fly fishing matters so much to me—it helps me recenter after hard weeks. I also volunteer with local organizations in the Bozeman area as a mentor for kids, and I’m excited to get more involved with Casting for Recovery this summer. Community and giving back are everything to me.

How I Got Into Fishing

I’ve always been an outdoors kid—outside from dawn till dusk in the summer, and usually in winter too. I grew up fishing with my dad and grandpa in Michigan, and I still remember catching my first lake perch and getting totally hooked.

Over time, I moved into fly fishing and had a few incredible mentors back home. When I moved to Montana, I got even deeper into it through school and friendships, and I remember my first fly-tying night at Troutfitters during my Montana State college days—everything about it fascinated me.

I also worked at Montana Angler, which taught me a ton about flies, gear, and fly shop life. I’m grateful they gave me the chance—especially as their first female fly shop employee. Fly fishing has taken me to New Zealand, Alaska, Mexico, and Canada, and I’m thankful every day for where this sport has brought me.

Women On the River Collective

I started Women on the River Collective in spring 2020 during the early COVID days because I missed fishing with my friends. I wanted to share more content featuring badass women anglers and help get that energy out into the world.

It grew into a supportive community where women can feel inspired, empowered, and safe—whether they’re brand new or have been fishing for years. Freshwater, saltwater, ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans—it’s a place to ask questions, get support, and feel like someone’s got your back.

My Superpower

My superpower is compassion and empathy. I’m a nurturer at heart, and I always want people to feel better after talking with me than they did before.

I try to live by Maya Angelou’s reminder that people may forget what you said or did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. Also: my other superpower is a dry sense of humor and ridiculous sarcasm. I speak three languages fluently—English, Spanish, and sarcasm. If you speak sarcasm too, we’ll get along just fine.

Favorite Part of Being a Fishe Ambassador

The community Fishewear builds is beyond compare—supportive, genuine, creative, and filled with women who help Fishe thrive. Meeting other ambassadors, making new friendships, and working with the Fishe team has been the best part.

I also love repping Fishewear on the river and having other women stop me to ask, “I love your bag—where did you get it?” It’s such a fun conversation starter and a cool way to connect on the water.

Something You Might Not Know About Me

I grew up playing ice hockey in Michigan and I still love ice skating. I’m a die-hard Detroit Red Wings fan, and Miracle is one of my all-time favorite movies.

My best friend back home is having a baby this summer, and I’m going to be the godmother—I’m beyond excited. I’ll absolutely be buying that kid their first fly rod. I also speak fluent Spanish, lived in Costa Rica working at a surf hotel, and spent time in Nicaragua teaching English and working at a local orphanage. I’ve traveled to about 25 countries and hope to add a few more this year.

Free Time Favorites

Summer: Mountain biking, camping, and stand-up paddle boarding.
Winter: Skiing, bonfires, and cooking dinner with friends.

Where To Find Me

@womenontherivercollective

#girlgang
#tightlines
#womenontherivercollective

FAQ

Who is the Women on the River Collective for?

It’s for any angler, but it’s especially built to support and empower women—whether you’re brand new or have years on the water.

Why did she start Women on the River Collective?

She started it in spring 2020 during the early COVID days when she missed fishing with friends and wanted to share more women angler content while building a positive, safe community.

Where is she based and where did she grow up?

She grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and now lives in Bozeman, Montana—she considers both places home.

What’s her favorite kind of fishing?

Streamer-eatin’ brown trout for freshwater, and permit for saltwater.

What does she do when she’s not fishing?

She’s a child and adolescent therapist, volunteers locally as a mentor for kids, and loves mountain biking, camping, paddle boarding, skiing, bonfires, and cooking with friends.

What are her favorite Fishe picks?

The Brookie Fleece, Brookie Dry Backpack, the new Permit pattern, and her Mt. Cutty pattern buff.

Conclusion

Kenzie Quinn is the kind of person who makes you want to show up—on the river, for your friends, and for yourself. She brings heart to everything she touches: the way she fishes, the way she builds community through Women on the River Collective, and the way she pours compassion into her work and volunteering. Whether she’s chasing hopper eats on the Yellowstone, swapping laughs with fellow anglers, or helping someone feel confident enough to try for the first time, Kenzie reminds us what Fishe is really about—belonging, boldness, and finding your reset out on the water.