Outdoors
The BDN outdoors section brings readers into the woods, waters and wild places of Maine. It features stories on hunting, fishing, wildlife, conservation and recreation, told by people who live these experiences. This section emphasizes hands-on knowledge, field reports, issues, trends and the traditions that define life outside in Maine. Read more Outdoors stories here.
I recently had a Facebook suggestion for a page called Old Lady Angler. The person behind it was a woman catching bass from a kayak, so naturally I was curious.
Old Lady Angler, is Tracy Joseph, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and aviation maintenance supervisor who lives in Florida. After retiring, she moved to Florida to be closer to her parents and taught herself how to kayak fish by watching YouTube videos. What began as a way to share her fishing adventures with family back in Illinois has grown into a social media following of hundreds of thousands across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, where her videos have been viewed millions of times.
Joseph primarily fishes from a 10-foot Native Slayer Propel Max kayak, targeting largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and other freshwater species. Her fishing setup is elaborate, with multiple cameras, a drone and six fishing rods.
Although she spends winters in Florida, Joseph has made Maine her summer fishing destination. She returned to Maine in early July after a three-day drive in her camper van, with her kayak in tow. She has already been catching bass, perch and pickerel while sharing encounters with wildlife along the way.
I wanted to know more about Joseph, her connection to Maine and what keeps drawing her back to the Pine Tree State. She graciously answered my many questions.
After watching several of her videos, I think it’s safe to say Joseph is living her best life, and doing what I’d rather be doing most days: catching fish.
You first visited Maine in 2023 and have returned every year since. What drew you to the state, and what keeps bringing you back?
I actually flew into Bangor in July 2022 to visit family in Old Town. I happened to bring a travel rod and one GoPro camera with me. I had never fished in Maine before and thought I’d give it a try if I had the chance. I hit the Penobscot River banks near Milford and Old Town and ended up covering more than five miles while bank fishing. What a blast. I also bank fished the Stillwater River and several small ponds near Augusta.
It was at that moment that I decided I needed to drive my truck and bring my kayak. That’s exactly what I did just one month later. I stayed from late August until Oct. 1, 2022. I’ve come back every summer (for the entire summer) except for 2025. I had hand surgery with a lengthy recovery, so I had to take it easy.
It’s not just the outstanding bass fishing that keeps me coming back. I absolutely love the outdoors, and central Maine is one of the finest places I’ve ever visited. The lakes are gin clear, the air is fresh, the mountains are beautiful, the wildlife is amazing and folks here are very friendly.
What do you think makes Maine’s fishing different from anywhere else you’ve fished?
The fact that these Maine largemouth bass are 10 times stronger than the Florida bass I catch at home. In my book, a 5-pound Maine bass fights every bit as hard as an 8-pound Florida bass. I figure they have to be hardy and healthy to survive the long, cold winters here.
And then there are the smallmouth. Oh, what a joy to catch those beauties. Such fighters. We don’t have those in central Florida. Oh, and the northern pike. Another fun fish to target.
Then there’s the fact that we don’t have rivers like the Penobscot, Kennebec or Androscoggin in Florida. Even the streams here are something new for me. I discovered them two years ago, and now I LOVE moving-water kayak fishing. It’s a whole other beast! Maine has a wild side that intrigues me.
Are you always looking to explore new waters, or do you find yourself returning to favorite spots because of where you’re camping?
I have a few honey holes that I’ve discovered, and I go back to them quite often. But fishing new water is the most exciting. I fished two new mountain ponds last week, and they were both off the charts. Fantastic fishing. Those isolated ponds have unpressured fish, and they’re very eager to hit a lure.
I prefer camping in the central Maine area because there’s great fishing in all directions.
What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught in Maine?
My personal best in Maine (so far) is a 5-pound, 10-ounce largemouth bass. What a catch! She was old and scarred up, but still fighting like a champ. I’ve also caught some quality northern pike in the 32-inch range.
You primarily target warm-water species like smallmouth bass and northern pike. Do you have any interest in targeting Maine’s cold-water species, such as brook trout, lake trout or landlocked salmon?
I usually do not target cold-water species, probably because we don’t have those in Florida. Some of the places I’ve fished here in Maine have landlocked salmon. It seems that the trolling technique might not be so easy from my kayak. I can’t say I’m a fan of trolling. I prefer the challenge of bass on artificial lures, figuring out what lure they’re in the mood for and where they’re setting up. That’s what I enjoy.
Has filming become second nature, or is it still challenging to balance fishing with creating videos?
I film 100% of my content. I do 100% of the editing and publishing. I manage all of my social media accounts (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok). It’s pretty much a full-time hobby-job. (I call it a “jobby.”) It’s not for everyone. The editing is quite laborious (sometimes tedious), but it’s something I really enjoy doing. It’s a lot of fun to tell a fishing story and share it with the world.
You travel in a camper van. Does it have air conditioning, and do you ever stay in cabins or other lodging when there isn’t a campground nearby?
I have a camper van (“Rover”) and just added a fifth-wheel (“Base Camp”). I’ve had pretty much every type of camper you can imagine. I’ve found that there is no perfect camper setup for kayak fishing. I must bring a truck. Period. That’s how I haul my kayak.
The camper van has air conditioning, a bathroom, a tiny kitchenette, two bunks, solar power and a generator. It’s rigged and ready. The fifth-wheel is permanently based in central Maine.
You started kayak fishing in 2016. What has changed the most since then, both in your fishing and in the outdoor content you create?
The kayak fishing industry has grown so much in the last 10 years. I kind of feel like I am five years behind it. I don’t use a motor, I don’t use LiveScope sonar, and I have no desire to change that. I’m a little bit old-school, I guess.
My content has come a long way. I started the YouTube channel so I could show my family (back in Illinois) my fishing adventures in Florida. Then I added my Instagram page. On a whim, I posted my very first TikTok video. The next day, my sister called and asked if I had a TikTok channel because one of her customers showed her a viral video and she recognized my voice. The video has 3.3 million views.
Next thing you know, I have tens of thousands of subscribers and millions of views across the four social media platforms. I’m still in disbelief that so many people are interested in watching an old lady fish. It’s just plain fun for me.
Do you see yourself participating in any Maine fishing tournaments or competitions in the future?
I would love to participate in a Maine kayak fishing event. I work quite a few weekends all summer long, so it’s hard to plan an actual “live” tournament. I do, however, participate in the KBF (Kayak Bass Fishing) State Challenge Series every month. That allows me to fish on my schedule and in my favorite public spots. It’s a great way to get the competitive juices flowing without a bunch of added stress.
I’m currently sitting in second place for the state of Maine. I have some ground to make up before the end of the month, though.
Looking back, what has been your biggest accomplishment so far as an angler and content creator?
Being recognized as Angler of the Year for 2022 and 2024 in the Women’s Fishing Federation organization is probably my biggest angling accomplishment so far. This nonprofit organization is nationwide and consists of women anglers of all levels and ages. It’s all about camaraderie and sharing knowledge and experience. An amazing group of ladies!
Another big fishing goal was achieved on March 14, 2022, in central Florida when I joined the “double-digit club.” I caught an 11-pound, 1-ounce largemouth bass from my kayak. A day I’ll never forget.
As a content creator, I’ve been able to reach millions of like-minded folks and share my love of fishing. Getting others hooked on fishing is a lot of fun.
What goals or adventures are still on your fishing bucket list?
A goal for this summer in Maine is to catch a personal-best smallmouth. My overall fishing goals are simple: Stay healthy. Keep traveling. Keep kayak fishing. Spread the joy!
You can follow “Old Lady Angler” and her latest adventures on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.