Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation: Casting Hope, Building Futures

Teaching kids to fish is the very heart of the Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation, and for the last 35 years the foundation has done just that.

The Foundation

The Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation was created as a memorial to Larry Hatchett, a lifelong Memphian who fished all over the world. His greatest joy, however, was fishing in the gulf. Larry called Destin “the capital of his soul.” He often took children fishing with him, as he enjoyed both teaching them how to fish as well as seeing their elation when they reeled in their first catch. Larry faced an untimely death at the age of 34, and this prompted the formation of the Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation’s annual trip so that Larry’s legacy could live on.

The 36th annual trip is scheduled for October 16-18, 2026 and will include foster children from homes in Florida, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Many of the participants have never had the opportunity to see the beach or swim in the gulf, and some have never traveled outside of their hometown. Each year approximately 115 kids will have the opportunity to fish in the gulf while learning about marine habitats and environmental awareness. They will also have the chance to form meaningful relationships with others in similar situations as their own.

It’s About the Kids

Justice, a former participant states, “These trips were like the light at the end of the tunnel… we could forget about all of our problems and the difficult times we went through and will continue to go through. The LHFF made my time in the foster care system so much better.” Justice is now an adult volunteer for the foundation.

Furthermore, the event affects the volunteers that help make the trip a reality. “This has been both an honor and a privilege for us to help those who have faced so many challenges throughout their lives. Our goal is to eventually take 1,000+ kids each year.” (Bob Wilder, Foundation President). Eric Westbrook, director on The American Spirit as well as LHFF board member states, “This is one of my favorite trips each year because the foundation is very dear to my heart.” Throughout the years our volunteers have worked with the foster parents to become mentors to many of the participants. These mentor-type relationships have helped teach kids life skills such as how to shave their face, how to write a college essay, and have guided them through challenging life situations.

Aboard the American Spirit

The Larry Hatchett Fishing Foundation as well as everyone involved always looks forward to the rodeo competition. In 2008, one of our participants won first place in the triggerfish division and another placed third overall. In 2010 one of our youth won a $2,500 Education IRA from the rodeo. The Foundation is also a rodeo sponsor and funds the Bonnie Orr Memorial Award for the Miss Destin Pageant winner.

This year the kids will fish with Captain Jim Green aboard The American Spirit. Fish Florida contributes funds towards the cost of the boat, and corporate as well as individual sponsors donate funds to pay expenses for travel, fuel, lodging, meals/snacks, fishing rods, and other souvenirs that each child gets to take home with them. As a non-profit organization, each contribution is vital for the foundation to continue our mission to one day “feed the world.” We extend many thanks to the Destin community and all that support this mission.

Reprinted with permission from 2026 Destin Fishing Rodeo program.