There are those days out on the water when you just know you're going to catch what you came for. It's the same feeling I had on some race days as a cyclist-lining up my bike, anticipating that starter's gun, and knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that the race was mine to win. 

Settling into my seat on yet another flight bound for a fishing trip, i’ve grown accustomed to the curious glances and quizzical expressions often thrown my way. Those looks are usually accompanied by the questions, “Where are you headed?”

Where the massive Ndogo Lagoon meets the Atlantic Ocean, lies a fly-fishing paradise like no other – Sette Cama, Gabon. This spectacular destination offers anglers an unparalleled opportunity to pursue numerous saltwater species, including some of the world’s largest tarpon, all while immersing themselves in its richness or wildlife, culture, and community spirit.

It’s not uncommon for me to be talking on the phone with my mom, going over the mundane details of the week, and nonchalantly say, “I just booked a flight to Egypt,” later adding in the fact that I would be traveling solo in the remote Saharan desert from Cairo to Libya. That’s how I told her about my first solo trip when I was 17 years old. That initial trip set ablaze something within me that hasn’t been put out since, more than 23 years later.

It’s typical for Emily Rodger to wake at 4 a.m. each day. The early rise is necessary for the sought-after executive coach, inspirational speaker, award-winning cyclist, gifted fly-fisher, podcast host and philanthropist to accomplish everything on her to-do list.