Life on the Water
Fishing trips that change lives
Angling For Life combines the widespread love of fishing with the power of generosity — turning guided fishing trips into life-saving meals and freedom for children worldwide.
It started with a simple question on a lake in Geneva, Wisconsin: could a day of fishing become something more? Ted Doberstein was heading out with celebrated angler Spence Petros when an unconventional thought struck him — what if this became a charity event?
That spark grew into a vision: combine the widespread popularity of fishing with the excellence of Feed My Starving Children and the force-multiplying power of social media. Angling For Life was born.
What we thought would be a one-time event has now run for 11 years, spanning 19 US states and 4 Canadian provinces, with generous guides donating fishing trips and bidders competing to win — all while saving children's lives.
Our guide auctions begin in March and continue throughout 2026. Generous guides from across North America donate fishing trips — you bid, you win an incredible trip, and children eat. It's that beautifully simple.
Bid on donated fishing trips from guides across 20 US states and 4 Canadian provinces. Auctions run on Facebook throughout the season.
Annual Feed My Starving Children Gala events in Oak Brook, IL (May) and Minneapolis, MN (November) with raffles and fishing trips.
Can't attend an auction? Simply donate anytime. Many of our most generous supporters give straight donations all season long.
FMSC provides nutritionally complete meals to starving children worldwide. Their sustained excellence is a rarity among charities — every dollar is maximized for impact, feeding children on the brink of starvation across the globe.
IJM is the world's largest anti-slavery organization, rescuing millions from slavery, violence, and oppression. They work with local authorities to combat trafficking and bring lasting change to justice systems worldwide.
We had no idea we'd make it to 11 years. At AFL's inception in 2015, this was thought to be a one-off charity event. Now in our 12th year, we forge ahead with eager anticipation.
None of this is possible without our incredible community: guides who donate their trips so generously, bidders who compete for those trips, and most importantly our straight donors — those who simply give without expecting anything in return.
One donor gave 10 separate times in 2024. Another gave 5 or 6 times. Several others gave repeatedly all season long. These are the unsung heroes of Angling For Life.
"To God be the Glory!" — Ted Doberstein, Founder
"What would happen if we combined the widespread popularity of fishing with the excellence and mission of FMSC — with the force-multiplying power and reach of social media? The vision was cast. A team was formed. Angling For Life was born."
Whether you're a fishing guide who wants to donate a trip, an angler ready to bid, or simply someone who wants to give — we'd love to hear from you.