2025 Highlights
2025 was a year of remarkable growth and mission-driven achievements. iFishiBelong’s work wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing support of our community, the fishing industry, and our stakeholders.
Community & Participation
- 876 Total Participants – a 10% increase from 2024.
- 43 Total Events – In 2025, iFishiBelong expanded its events by 43% overall, including an 8% increase in virtual events and a 183% growth in in-person events compared to 2024.
- Expanding Access – iFishiBelong events drew participants from 34 U.S. states and 3 countries, underscoring the importance of creating inclusive opportunities that welcome anglers nationwide, not just in the western region.
Education & Scholarships
- 923 Education Hours – a 34% increase from 2024. In 2025, iFishiBelong expanded educational opportunities by offering donation-based workshops, both during DIY Fishing Events and virtually, removing financial barriers and making learning accessible to everyone.
- Cultivating Leadership – In 2025, iFishiBelong prioritized including underrepresented fishing leaders as instructors, giving participants role models they can relate to and inspiring some to become future instructors themselves.
- 114 Scholarships Awarded – a 93% increase from 2024 (7 in-person, 107 virtual). In 2025, iFishiBelong focused on larger scholarships covering travel, lodging, and guided fishing trips for DIY Fishing Events, and also supported the Pennsylvania All Kids Fish event with 3 scholarships that included travel, educational programming, meals, and a rod-and-reel setup for youth participants.
Advocacy in Action
- Be What You Don’t See – In 2025, the iFishiBelong Be What You Don’t See posts reached over 99,000 Instagram views and 139 hours of reel watch time, demonstrating the impact of elevating underrepresented leaders in the fishing and outdoor industry.
- Ally Education – Through our Be What You Don’t See initiative, iFishiBelong published 10 leader-authored blog posts and showcased community-developed guides offering practical, experience-based tools to create more welcoming, accessible, and supportive fishing spaces.
Program Accomplishments
- The inaugural Becca Sue Klein All Kids Fish Expansion Event was held in Pennsylvania.
- Ubuntu Fly Anglers’ “On the Real” podcast launched with 13 episodes and 427 downloads.
- United Women on the Fly is the only regularly updated site centralizing listings and resources for women’s fishing groups, guides, and businesses, building community and highlighting leadership in fly fishing.
- Added an Urban Fishing DIY Fishing Event.
Volunteer Commitment
- In 2025, volunteers logged 4,926 hours, a 54.8% increase, reflecting their dedication to supporting iFishiBelong and advancing its mission-driven programs.
- Volunteer Engagement – In 2025, iFishiBelong had 51 volunteers representing 23 U.S. states and Canada, contributing their time and expertise to support our programs. Volunteer retention remains strong, with 69% of volunteers staying engaged for one year or longer, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to advancing iFishiBelong’s mission.