As the new year begins, The Fishing Foundation sends heartfelt thanks and holiday wishes to the families and anglers we had the joy of serving and taking fishing last year.

2025 was an exciting journey for us. We were incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue our mission. We got kids outdoors, introduced them to the joys of fishing, and helped them build confidence, patience and a lifelong connection to nature.

One of our proudest accomplishments last year was sharing our Hooked comic strip, featuring the Primetime Fishing Club, with young readers and adults. It’s been a fun and creative way to teach fishing tips and life lessons through storytelling and humor — and we’ve loved hearing how it’s inspired families to spend more time by the water together.

We were also thrilled to launch our Learn to Fish Coloring Book just in time for the holidays. It’s a playful, educational resource for ages 3–8 that blends coloring fun with fishing know-how through illustrations, puzzles, and word games.

Thank you — whether you supported us by volunteering, donating, sharing our work, or simply by picking up a fishing rod with a child in your life. Your encouragement makes everything we do possible.

From all of us at The Fishing Foundation, and Primetime, we wish you a bright, prosperous New Year. We can’t wait to see what 2026 brings — and we hope to see you on the water!

About Hooked

“Hooked” is a 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” comics 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.

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About The Fishing Foundation

“Hooked” is produced by longtime Cleveland anglers Dennis Knowles and Gail Grizzell, founders of The Fishing Foundation (TFF), a non-profit organization in Northeast Ohio that takes teens fishing. Through events, mentorship programs and hands-on training, TFF provides unique opportunities for individuals from underserved communities to connect with nature and each other.

Beyond instruction, the foundation provides participants with rods, reels, bait, tackle and even a souvenir T-shirt. At each event, attendees enjoy lunch and refreshments while building skills and confidence. And as a lasting memento, each child gets to keep their rod and reel. TFF’s flagship project, “Learn to Fish: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginning Anglers,” is a guidebook that equips beginner anglers with the knowledge they need to succeed at fishing.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a complete beginner, The Fishing Foundation, and the adventures of “Hooked,” can help. Spend time in Cleveland’s beautiful parks, lakes and rivers and experience the benefits of connecting with nature.

The great outdoors is waiting for you — make 2025 the year you get “hooked” on fishing!

The Fishing Foundation

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.”