This holiday season, Gail Grizzell and I find ourselves reflecting on the joy and opportunity to take kids fishing. In 2010, we founded The Fishing Foundation (TFF), a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Northeast Ohio. Its mission is to improve people’s lives through the sport of fishing – specifically targeting youth in underserved areas. 

Since our inception, we have taken more than 2,000 adults and teens fishing from shore. TFF programming includes taking teens fishing from shore via free fishing clinics and exposing them to green and blue spaces. All tackle, bait, rods and reels, lunch, souvenir t-shirt, and hands on instructions are provided. Our programs include gifting the rod and reel to the participants to encourage continued engagement in the sport. 

Thirteen years after starting TFF, we embarked on another ambitious project to keep kids fishing by writing and releasing a book, “Learn to Fish, A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginning Anglers.” With the new book, youngsters and teens have an educational guide to read and reference time and time again.  

“Learn to Fish: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginning Anglers” is not the first book written for beginning anglers, but we believe it is innovative. Research revealed that while there are books on the market on how to fish, none represents a landscape of ethnic inclusion like this new book.  

“The positive response to the colorful original illustrations throughout the book inspired us to create a comic strip titled, “Hooked,” featuring the multicultural characters from the book,” said Grizzell.

“‘Hooked’ is intended to motivate teens and adults to go outside and use Northeast Ohio’s greatest assets, Lake Erie, the Cleveland Metroparks lakes, and other bodies of water to fish,” said Knowles.  

“Hooked” features a diverse cast of teens who love to fish and decide to form a fishing club in Cleveland. Together, through humorous adventures, they explore ways of becoming better anglers and learn about the environment, conservation, water safety, friendship and much more.  

Teaching kids to fish goes beyond the simple act of catching a fish; it instills patience, appreciation for the outdoors, and a sense of responsibility for the environment. 

As we celebrate the holidays, let’s be grateful for the simple yet profound joy that fishing with kids brings into our lives and the valuable lessons it imparts to the next generation. 

Wishing you and your loved ones a holiday season filled with warmth, joy and unforgettable moments by the water. 

The Fishing Foundation Hooked Learn To Fish Authors

Warm regards,

Dennis and Gail

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About Hooked

“Hooked” is a new comic strip based on characters taken from the book “Learn To Fish, A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginning Anglers.” It features a multicultural cast of teens who love to fish and decide to form a fishing club in Cleveland. See “Hooked” monthly right here on the Signal Cleveland website produced in partnership with Dennis James Knowles and Gail Ann Grizzell of Cleveland’s The Fishing Foundation.

Ohio does not require those under 16 to have a fishing license. Read more on Ohio fishing laws here.

Dennis and Gail are avid anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, and writers. In 2010, they founded The Fishing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; its mission is to enrich people’s lives through the sport of fishing. Professionally, Gail worked as grants director for Ideastream Public Media and other philanthropic organizations. Dennis is an Emmy award winning television producer and filmmaker. Together, they authored the book, Learn to Fish: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginning Anglers, and are the creators of the comic strip “Hooked.”