What a beautiful, warm day it was for over 120 excited third graders from Winneconne Elementary! Our young anglers kicked off the day learning all about the gear and skills needed to fish. They then rotated through fun, hands-on stations where they practiced casting, tied their own knots, and even identified different kinds of fish.  Thanks to the Winneconne High School Fishing Team for all thier help throughout the day as they made it a fun and safe day!!

The highlight of the day? An afternoon of real fishing — and real catches! Bass, bluegill, and bullheads were reeled in by our proud students, making for an unforgettable experience.

Way to go, third graders — you really made a splash!

It was the day before Wisconsin’s fishing opener and Captain Greg and Kimberly High School Fishing Team members (Grant, Jackson and Kayden) taught third and fourth graders the Fishing Basics at Westside Elementary!! Students learned the skills and equipment needed to begin fishing or become a better fisher-person!!   

Learn 2 Fish With Us has been visiting Westside Elementary in Kimberly, Wisconsin for the last sixteen years.  You should have seen all the excitement from the students.  Many of the students look forward to utilizing the skilled learned this weekend and through out the summer.

Learn 2 Fish With Us was excited as Kimberly High School Fishing Team members helped out and shared thier passion for fishing which fishing is all about!!

On Monday, April 28th Learn 2 Fish With Us hosted it’s Fishing Program for the third graders of New Holstein Elementary.  This was the first year Learn 2 Fish With Us hosted it’s fishing program for New Holstein Elementary.  Youth learned all the skills and equipment needed to begin fishing and were they excited.  They learn  saafety while fishing, how to use a spin cast and spinning fishing combos, how to cast safely and accurately, how to tie a Clinch and Palomar knot, live and artificial bait, fishing presentations, fish identification, aquatic invasive species, keeping a fish log and so much more.

After the fishing program was completed students learned they would get a Invader Crusader shirt and fishing educational book and were they excited!!!  Thanks to our great sponsors for these giveaways!!

Teachers are hoping that we will be back next year!!

On Monday, April 28th Learn 2 Fish With Us hosted it’s Fishing Program for the third graders of Zielanis Elementary which is located in Kiel, Wisconsin.  This was the first year Learn 2 Fish With Us hosted it’s fishing program for Zielanis Elementary.  Youth learned all the skills and equipment needed to begin fishing and were they excited.  There was so many hands on activities for the youth from casting, knot tying and so much more.

After the fishing program was completed students learned they would get a Invader Crusader shirt and fishing educational book and were they excited!!!  Thanks to our great sponsors for these giveaways!!

After the program the teachers were excited and hope that we will come back next year and maybe add fishing!!

Last week, Learn 2 Fish With Us proudly hosted our second annual Fishing Basics clinics in partnership with VPI, Inc. — an organization that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through life and work skill development.

We offered two clinics in one day, giving participants hands-on exposure to the joy of fishing and the confidence to try something new.

Morning Session – VPI Appleton Plant
At our first stop, located at 110 N Kensington Dr., participants who are part of VPI’s skill-building work program gathered for a one-hour Fishing Basics session. From 10:00 to 11:00 AM, we introduced the group to key fishing concepts, equipment, and techniques. Everyone had the opportunity to practice casting, and their smiles said it all!

Afternoon Session – VPI Community Day Center
Next, we visited the Community Day Center at 2350 N. Casaloma Dr. This site offers daytime care and activities for adults with disabilities in a more relaxed setting. From 12:30 to 1:30 PM, we continued sharing our love of fishing through demonstrations and casting practice.

Both groups were engaged, enthusiastic, and eager to learn — and we can’t wait to see them again!

Looking Ahead

On May 29th, we’ll be taking VPI participants fishing at the Outagamie Conservation Club, where they’ll get to put their new skills into action. Last year, VPI organized three fishing trips for their clients following our clinics, and we’re thrilled to be part of that journey again this year.

At Learn 2 Fish With Us, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the peace, pride, and patience that fishing can bring. Thank you to VPI, Inc., for another great year of partnership, and to all the individuals who joined us with such open hearts and willing spirits.

On Tuesday, April 22nd, Captain Greg of Learn 2 Fish With Us hosted two Fishing Basics seminars for the fourth graders of Omro Elementary.  Fourth graders learned about the equipment and skills needed to begin fishing through our interactive seminar!!  Students learned; safety while fishing, spin cast and spinning fishing combos, how to cast safely and accurately, simple fishing presentations, how to tie the Clinch and Palomar knot, fish identification, live and artificial bait, aquatic invasive species and so much more.  After the seminar students received a Future Pro shirt and fishing educational book due to all our great sponsors and donors!!  The students were excited as you can see in the pictures!!!

This was the fourth year Learn 2 Fish With Us has hosted fishing seminars at Omro Elementary.  Dave, the principle along with the teachers of Omro Elementary were so happy to have us back as they feel we have a fun and educational program.

This past Thursday, Learn 2 Fish With Us hosted the third session of Fishing Club where all students received a spin cast or spinning combo thanks to our great sponsors.  In this session, students rigged thier fishing combo with a hook, sinker and bobber.   Most of the students used the Clinch knot to attach the hook to thier line with a couple students using the Palomar knot.  You should have seen the smiles as stuidents knew they had rigged thier fishing combo.

Next session is May 8th, where students will go fishing at South Park in hopes of catching a few of the stocked trout.  In this session they will utilize all the skills they have learned during Fishing Club.

Today may have been Tax Day for many, but for the fourth graders of Freedom Elementary it was a day of learning the Fishing Basics.  On Tuesday, April 15th, Captain Greg of Learn 2 Fish With Us along with Josie of the Freedom High School Fishing Team, taught fourth grader Fishing Basics.  Fishing Basics is designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to start their fishing journey.

During the seminar, students learned essential fishing techniques, including how to handle equipment safely, cast accurately, and tie crucial knots like the Clinch and Palomar. We also covered live and artificial bait, fish identification, and the importance of protecting our waterways from aquatic invasive species. Through hands-on demonstrations and interactive learning, students gained confidence and enthusiasm for the sport—many eager to get out on the water as soon as possible!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible! Seeing students light up as they learned new skills and shared their excitement for fishing reminds us why these educational opportunities matter. We look forward to hosting more events like this in the future—continuing to inspire young anglers and foster a lifelong love of fishing.  Thanks to Wildlife Forever and Getting Families Fishing And Boating each youth received a Invader Crusader T Shirt.  This fishing clinic was held in memory of Dave Prieto along with a Bob Allen Book ‘Battle of the Bass’ which will be placed in the schools library.

As we reflect on the first quarter of 2025, it’s incredible to see how much we have accomplished in just a few short months. Our commitment to fishing education has continued to grow, reaching more people than ever before and fostering a deeper love for the sport among youth and adults alike.

To date, we have hosted 21 fishing clinics, each uniquely tailored to different audiences. From our Ice Fishing for High School Fishing Teams to the Ice Fishing Basics sessions at winter expos, we’ve provided hands-on learning experiences that equip anglers of all skill levels with the knowledge and confidence to succeed on the water. Our Fishing Basics and Beyond Basics programs at various shows and schools have introduced countless students to the fundamentals and finer points of angling. Working with youth from kindergarten through eighth grade, we have helped shape the next generation of passionate anglers, instilling in them the values of conservation, patience, and outdoor adventure.

Our impact extends far beyond just the number of clinics. Since the start of the year, we have educated over 1,100 youth and more than 700 adults at in-person fishing clinics, fostering a growing community of knowledgeable and enthusiastic anglers. The response has been tremendous, with five new volunteers signing up to assist at our 2025 events—an encouraging sign of the strength and sustainability of our outreach efforts.

Perhaps one of the most exciting milestones of this quarter is our digital reach. Since January 1st, we have engaged with over one million people through fishing education on Facebook alone. This remarkable online presence has allowed us to share valuable tips, event highlights, and conservation messaging with an ever-expanding audience.

As we move forward into the rest of 2025, we remain committed to our mission of providing high-quality fishing education and experiences. With more clinics on the horizon and a growing team of passionate volunteers, the future is bright for our fishing education efforts. Thank you to everyone who has supported and participated in our programs—together, we are making a lasting impact on the angling community!

On March 21st, Captain Greg presented two sessions of Fishing Basics to the third graders of Woodland Elementary.  This marked the thirteenth year that Captain Greg has visited Woodkand Elementary.  The students were so excited to learn the skills and equipment needed to fish as manu of them have never fished.   The afternoon started off with the students learning safety while fishing.  They then learned about the different fishing combos and how to cat with them.  This was followed by simple fishing prersentations and how to tie a Clinch and Palomar knot.  Captain Greg asked what else do we need to know to go fishing they yelled out bait and what fish we are going to catch!!  So they cover live and artificial bait and fish identification.  In each session Captain Greg asked stuidents why a musky is important in Wisconsin?  Many said they are big but a couple students in each session knew it was are state fish!!  They were rewarded with a hat.  Then Captain Greg cover Clean Drain Dry message and whay it is so important to follow so we keep our waterways in tip top shape.

Each student received a Invader Crusader shirt and fishinf eduvation book which covers most of what is  needed when fishing.  Captain Greg plans on visiting Woodland Elementary in 2026.