Fly fishing retailers are facing a rapidly changing business landscape. From rising operational costs to evolving customer expectations and emerging environmental regulations, today’s fly shops must adapt to stay competitive. The good news? Sustainability is no longer just a compliance exercise. It is one of the most practical, profitable, and resilient business strategies available to…
Mending the Line Blog
How Emerger Strategies Helps Fishing & Outdoor Brands Exceed Retailer Sustainability Expectations
Retail sustainability expectations are no longer a future concern. They are a current commercial reality. Fishing and outdoor brands selling into major retailers like Walmart, REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Bass Pro Shops are facing rapidly increasing expectations around: For many small- to mid-sized brands, the pressure is clear—but the path forward is not. That’s…
Don’t Hire This Sustainability Consultant
Why sustainability may be the smartest cost-cutting strategy for businesses in 2026 and beyond American businesses are facing a perfect storm of rising costs. Health insurance premiums alone climbed 6% in 2025, continuing several years of elevated increases and pushing average annual family coverage close to $27,000. Add inflation, elevated borrowing costs, tariffs, and volatile…
Waste Audits, Public Lands, PFAS & Greenwashing: Lessons from Meg Carney of The Outdoor Minimalist
Protecting the places we love requires more than passion—it requires awareness, accountability, and action. In the latest episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sat down with Meg Carney, founder of The Outdoor Minimalist, to explore practical ways outdoor enthusiasts and brands can reduce waste, eliminate harmful chemicals, defend public lands, and avoid greenwashing. Meg Carney…
Emerger Strategies Partners with Ecolytics to Help Fly Fishing and Outdoor Brands Achieve Credible Sustainability Data and B Corp Readiness
Charleston, SC — 2/4/26 — Emerger Strategies, a sustainability solutions provider serving fishing and outdoor brands, announced a strategic partnership with Ecolytics, a sustainability data and impact management platform. The partnership expands Emerger Strategies’ capabilities beyond consulting, enabling clients to implement measurable sustainability programs and pursue B Corp Certification using a dedicated technology platform. The…
Upcoming EPR Deadlines: Why 2026 Is a Pivotal Year for Packaging Compliance
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging is no longer a future concern—it’s here, and 2026 will be a defining year for brands selling products in the U.S. With seven states already passing EPR laws and additional states actively developing programs, producers are entering a new era of mandatory registration, data reporting, lifecycle assessments (LCAs), and…