Our Mission

Building Confidence, Connection, and Community Through Fishing.

Lines of Service is a Fort Walton Beach, Florida–based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing children with opportunities to explore, learn, and grow through fishing and outdoor education.

Through hands-on fishing clinics, mentorship, and meaningful experiences on the water, we help young people build confidence, develop life skills, discover new interests, and create lasting connections with the outdoors.

We believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience the freedom of adventure, the excitement of learning something new, and the confidence that comes from discovering what they're capable of.

Our Vision

Our vision is to grow Lines of Service beyond the Emerald Coast, bringing accessible fishing experiences and outdoor education to children, families, and communities across the country.

As we grow, we hope to expand our programs from city to city, introducing online fishing education, fly-fishing clinics, outdoor skills training, and specialized experiences for military veterans.

Our goal is to build a community where fishing becomes more than a recreational activity. It becomes a way to connect generations, develop confidence, encourage independence, and create opportunities that last a lifetime.

Our Story

Fishing has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Growing up, especially during my years in Alaska, the outdoors became one of my greatest teachers. Whether I was fishing alongside my father or heading out on my own to explore, those experiences gave me something I didn't fully understand at the time: independence, patience, confidence, and a sense of adventure.

Those lessons stayed with me.

I proudly served in the United States Air Force as a firefighter, an experience that taught me the importance of leadership, discipline, teamwork, and service to others. My time in the military also gave me a firsthand understanding of how the transition back to civilian life can affect those who have served. Those experiences have stayed with me and continue to shape my belief in the importance of connection, community, and finding purpose through service to others.

I created Lines of Service because I wanted to give children access to the same kinds of experiences that helped shape who I am.

Not every child has someone to take them fishing. Not every family has access to a boat, fishing equipment, or the knowledge to get started. I believe those circumstances shouldn't prevent a child from discovering the outdoors.

What started with a love for fishing has grown into a mission to serve others.

And while our roots are here in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, my hope is that Lines of Service will one day reach communities across the country, creating opportunities for children and veterans to learn, explore, and find their own connection to the outdoors.

Because sometimes, something as simple as taking a kid fishing can change the direction of their life.

— Captain Lionel James
Founder, Lines of Service