S. PADRE ISLAND – This historic move marks a significant milestone for Fishing’s Future, founded in 2007, as it continues to expand its efforts to serve the mission of connecting families and communities to the joys and stewardship of fishing and fisheries conservation. This acquisition unites two organizations deeply committed to growing participation in fishing, strengthening conservation ethics, and supporting the tackle industry’s long‑term angler recruitment, retention, and reactivation goals.
Fishing’s Future recognizes and celebrates all former executive directors of the Future Fisherman Foundation, including Sharon Rushton – Founding Executive Director, appointed by Berkley & Co. in 1986, Anne Glick, Michael Bolinder, Anne Danielski, Keith Sutton, Mark Gintert, and Karen Bray. These leaders guided F3 through key eras of growth, partnership development, educator training, and youth‑focused programming. Their work helped establish F3 as a national resource for angling education and conservation‑based youth engagement.
“Future Fisherman Foundation has been a cornerstone of national angler education since the 1980s,” said Tom Lang, Executive Director of Fishing’s Future. “Frankly, Sharon Rushton was an incredibly impactful trailblazer, and we are honored to carry on her legacy, and the legacy of the F3 leadership and programs that followed. We are also very honored and grateful that Robert Cartlidge President and CEO of The Bass Federation, INC (TBF), Karen Bray final Executive Director of F3, and the board of directors would entrust us with this important legacy.”
Fishing’s Future also acknowledges the many additional contributors — board members, educators, industry partners, and conservation leaders — whose efforts amplified F3’s reach and impact across the country.
“Fifteen years ago in April of 2011, I was contacted by fellow industry executive Kerry Cambell President of TTI Blakemore fishing and Chairman of the Board for F3 at the time,” stated Cartlidge. “The Future Fisherman Foundation needed a new home with direct access to youth to accelerate it into the future. TBF was proud and honored to be able to give it that home and support it for the last 15 years as the home to The hooked on fishing not on drugs program (HOFNOD), tackle for educator’s program and more. The impacts of these various programs are immeasurable to youth anglers’ lives and programs across North American and in our industry.”
“The Executive Directors during that time frame were Mark Gintert and Karen Bray and they have done an outstanding job leading F3. I want to thank them both for their stewardship and those who have served on the F3 board over those years which are too numerous to list here.
“I am confident as we pass the torch that F3’s mission will thrive long term,” stated Karen Bray, final Executive director of F3. “It is easy to see the passion that Tom and his group have for this work.”
Cartlidge added, “I have known Tom Lang for many years, since his early days with Kansas Wildlife and Parks. I was witness to his outstanding work there, in Texas, and elsewhere since. I have seen his passion, efforts, success drawing together young anglers and families in to experience the world of fishing. Karen and I did not have to consider it too long and I agreed with her assessment that this is the right choice for F3 programs and purpose. “
Fishing’s Future will carry the legacy of the Foundation forward through expansion of existing programs and integration of F3’s proven educational models into its national network of Fishing’s Future Chapters, First Cast Family Events, and Certified Guides. This acquisition will expand educator and volunteer training, increase beginner‑friendly fishing opportunities, support tackle‑industry recruitment goals, and deliver scalable, family‑centered programs nationwide.
Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs (HOFNOD), one of the most recognized youth‑fishing programs in the nation, will be transforming into a new effort, with details to be announced soon. Fishing’s Future will ensure the spirit and purpose of HOFNOD continue to inspire youth, families, and communities.
“Fishing and outdoor recreation is an incredibly powerful tool in combatting substance-abuse,” said Shane Wilson, Fishing’s Future founder and Board Chair. “We are working diligently and are excited to soon share a new effort to strengthen family bonds through fishing while combatting the horrors of substance-abuse.”
The F3 Tackle for Educators program will continue under Fishing’s Future, strengthening the bridge between the fishing industry and the educators who teach angling skills and aquatic stewardship. This program will actively work to help guide anglers to quality gear that they need to get started fishing and gear to support their lifelong relationship with fishing.
The acquisition creates a unified national effort aligned with industry priorities: growing participation, supporting conservation, and building lifelong anglers.
“The future of fishing is dependent on all of us, volunteers, non‑profits, state agencies, industry, and even everyday anglers working together,” Lang added. “We are excited to share the news of this acquisition as we continue pushing forward, making a difference in the future of fishing.”
Fishing’s Future is a national non-profit dedicated to strengthening family bonds, connecting youth to nature, and growing participation in fishing through hands-on education, conservation ethics, and community engagement. Since 2007, Fishing Future has reached more than 1.4million people with hands on angling education programs. For more information, to start a chapter, volunteer, or support Fishing’s Future and its mission to strengthen family bonds through fishing, visit www.FishingsFuture.org.
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