<div>IMPORTANT:
</div>
<div>This GoFundMe page is strictly dedicated to sending kids who cannot afford to join to our Youth Fishing Leagues.
</div>
<div>For every $300 raised, we will fully sponsor one child to participate in a Youth Fishing League.
</div>
<div class="youtube-replace"><br />
</div><iframe media_type="0" media_id="yjUgUARmbRY" class="youtube-replace" title="YouTube video player" style="margin-bottom:20px;width:560px;height:315px;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yjUgUARmbRY/?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="1"></iframe>
<div class="youtube-replace"><br />
</div>
<div class="youtube-replace"><br />
</div>
<div class="youtube-replace"><br />
</div>
<div>Hi, my name is Michael Sklad. My wife Melissa and I operate a Canadian non-profit organization called Fishing Friendzy Foundation.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Fishing Friendzy Foundation operates programs that teach kids and families about ethical angling, outdoor skills, and respect for our natural environment. Our goal is to help young people build a lifelong connection to nature—because when kids connect to nature early, they grow up wanting to protect it.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We created this GoFundMe so family, friends, and supporters can directly help remove financial barriers for kids who want to fish but otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity. We do work with community partners that also help subsidize funding for low income families who qualify, but we want to send even more kids to our YOUTH FISHING LEAGUES!!!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Our Story
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We started Fishing Friendzy in 2007 by creating a travelling interactive exhibit that visited fairs and festivals to introduce families to fishing and ethical angling practices. This outreach program allowed us to reach communities across Canada and the United States.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>In Canada, we were honoured to be invited to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) for 7 consecutive years, where we taught hundreds of thousands of people the basics of ethical angling. Over the years, we have helped more than 10,000 people catch their very first fish.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Youth Fishing Leagues
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Eight years ago, we launched our Youth Fishing Leagues (YFL)—a structured, educational, and community-based program designed specifically for kids.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Our first year: 2 leagues in 2 communities
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Last year: 27 leagues across 13 communities
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Champions earned prizes such as guided fishing trips, kayaks, ice-fishing hut rentals, and lodge stays generously donated to support the future. KIDS!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>These leagues are grassroots programs built in partnership with local townships, conservation authorities, service clubs, businesses, and volunteers, because that’s where real community impact happens.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Why This Matters
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We believe that:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Time spent outdoors reduces stress and anxiety
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Kids who spend time in nature focus better in school
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Children who learn to respect the outdoors become lifelong conservationists
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>These kids are the future leaders of our communities. By mentoring them today, we are helping raise future protectors of clean water, forests, wildlife, and ecosystems.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>How Your Donation Helps
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>This GoFundMe is used ONLY to sponsor children who cannot afford registration fees.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>$300 sponsors one child to join a Youth Fishing League
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Sponsored children receive full registration plus a starter kit valued at over $200, including:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Rod &amp; reel
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Tackle box &amp; tackle
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Hat &amp; Jersey
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Educational materials and league participation
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Children are selected through our community partners and youth organizations, ensuring support reaches families who need it most.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank You
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>If you believe in connecting kids to nature, protecting our environment, and giving every child a fair chance—your support truly matters.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Feel free to leave a message with your donation, share an outdoor memory, or send words of encouragement. We love hearing from our supporters and community.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank you for helping us get more kids outdoors, learning, growing, and discovering the joy of fishing
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><a href="https://www.fishingfriendzy.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.fishingfriendzy.com</a> 
</div>
<div>Thank you. 
</div>
<div>Peace, Love and Fishing! 
</div>
<div>Michael Sklad - AKA Unkle Bass 
</div>

Admin Team

Craig Patey

dsaw dfde

Anonymous

Debora Juliao

David  Norte Morgado

Gregory Sajda

Sebastian Carrasco

Brad Bedford

Jonathan Ee

Kyle Scott

Shawna Armitage

Erik Ratzki

Ronald Biernacik

Dave Gray

Elsine Heldman

Dakota Brave

Send a child to a Youth Fishing League

Send a child to a Youth Fishing League

Still $7,231 to go. Help us build momentum.