The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame has published details and an entry form for the new Lindsay Sale-Tinney Awards program, a communications contest for youth ages 12 to 15. Cash prizes totaling $600 will be awarded in three places for stories written about the entrants’ most memorable fishing trips of the year. Winning entries will appear in various print and online publications as well.

Stories are limited to 500 words (approximately one full page, single spaced) and will be judged by qualified journalists, photographers, and/or educators with outdoors experience. Entries for fishing trip stories that took place between January 1 and December 31, 2025, must be submitted online by January 10, 2026. Contestants are encouraged to include content about things they see and do before, during, and after their actual fishing experience.

Contest Committee Chairwoman Lisa Snuggs said, “Though modern media is driven largely by short video clips, we think it’s crucial to remember the importance of using written words to convey stories about the fun of fishing. Words help solidify memories for those who write them, and they inspire readers to get out and create some memories of their own.” Snuggs went on to say that as the contest evolves and funding increases, the committee plans to add photography and/or video entries to the awards program.

Hall of Fame member and award-winning outdoor writer Kenneth L. Kieser serves on the committee with Snuggs and Hall of Fame Executive Director Emmett Brown. Kieser has donated countless hours to promoting fishing among young people. He has written extensively about youth in the outdoors and has been honored with dozens of awards for his efforts. “Fishing saved my life as a boy and writing about fishing gave me life. I hope and pray that every child entering a story feels the joy of describing their experiences,” Kieser said.

Stu Tinney, who was inducted into the Hall in 2009, provided the original seed money for the award named in honor of his late wife Lindsay Sale-Tinney. Tinney said, “The importance of involving young people in the outdoors and encouraging them to communicate their experiences to others is so important! Lindsay would be pleased.”

Hall of Fame Executive Director Emmett Brown said, “We are so happy to support the youth of America and their efforts to write about fishing and the outdoors. We can’t wait to read the stories that result from this special contest.”

About the Hall of Fame

The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to the preservation and display of historical artifacts of fresh water sportfishing. The Hall recognizes people, organizations, and institutions who have made significant and lasting contributions to the sport and heritage of fresh water fishing, and it administers a program for qualifying, compiling and publishing all fresh water sportfishing records. The Hall of Fame strives to encourage future generations of anglers through promotion and education of fresh water fishing.

The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations to the Lindsay Sale-Tinney Awards program may be made HERE.

Contact: lisa.snuggs@gmail.com or fishhall@cheqnet.net.