Fish Talk™

A guided outdoor social experience for kids — led by an SLP & Outdoor Therapist, and a Registered Maine Guide.

Join Insider List

NEXT EVENT:

FISH OR TREAT

Date: TBD

Fish Talk™ is a guided outdoor social experience that uses fishing as a natural, low-pressure setting for kids to practice communication, build confidence, and make real connections with peers.

Some kids find it hard to jump into conversations, ask for help, or initiate tasks on their own — and that's completely okay. Fish Talk™ is designed with those kids in mind. There's no classroom, no worksheets, and no pressure. Just the water, the fish, and a whole lot of growth happening naturally.

Fishing provides a unique opportunity: it requires focus, patience, sequencing, and cooperation — all while creating natural moments for conversation to happen organically. Kids leave with new skills, new confidence, and often, new friends.

Skills that go way
beyond the water.

  • A woman helping a young boy with fishing at a lakeside outdoor education event, with other children in the background near trees and water.

    Conversation skills

    Initiating, asking questions, and keeping dialogue going naturally in real-world settings.

  • A young boy in red shorts and a red T-shirt holding a fishing rod with a fish hanging from the line near the water, with a cloudy sky and breakwater in the background.

    Confidence building

    Low-pressure activities that let kids take initiative and succeed at their own pace.

  • A young boy wearing a red jacket, blue hoodie, and glasses, standing on a rusty metal railing by a body of water, fishing with a fishing rod against a clear blue sky.

    Executive functioning

    Multi-step tasks, such as casting, support sequencing, planning, and focus.

  • Two people, one with a fishing rod and the other with a net, standing by the edge of a lake with a house and trees in the background.

    Teamwork & safety

    Learning to work together, follow directions, and make safe decisions in the outdoors.

FAQs

Who is Fish Talk for?

Fish Talk™ is open to kids ages 5 and up. No prior fishing experience needed, and no formal diagnosis required. This program is for any child who could benefit from a little extra support in a warm, encouraging environment.

Can we bring our own equipment?

Yes, you can always bring your own fishing gear. If you do not have any, no worries! We have all the gear you need to give fishing a try with us!

Where do you fish?

We fish in smaller, private ponds in York County. This allows for easier fishing opportunities and accessibility to fishing locations for everyone to give it a try.

The people behind
Fish Talk™

A smiling woman wearing sunglasses and a cap, holding two large fish by the gills on a boat in a lake, with trees in the background during sunset.

Katherine Rackliff

Speech-Language Pathologist | Outdoor Therapist

Kat brings her clinical background in communication and social development into the field — literally. She creates a warm, low-pressure environment where kids feel safe to try, stumble, and grow.

A man with a beard wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a gray t-shirt holding a fishing rod and a large fish on a boat on a lake surrounded by trees. 
Registered Maine Guide

Jake Rackliff

Jake brings the fishing expertise, safety knowledge, and outdoors know-how that makes every session run smoothly — and makes every kid feel like a real angler.

Fish Talk Summer Fest — Insider List

Fish Talk Insider List

Every good fishing spot stays a secret. Join the insider list and we'll send you the location, plus all the details, straight to your inbox before the big day.

Include yourself and anyone joining you, kids included.

Fish Talk Challenge — Registration & Waiver

A list of fishing-related activities to complete before you leave — check them off and claim your prizes! Just $5 per child to enter.

A few quick details so we can check you in fast on the day.

Total due at check-in $5.00
I am voluntarily entering myself and/or my minor child/children into the Fish Talk Challenge at the Fish Talk Summer Festival, hosted by Chickadee Chatter Speech Therapy LLC.

I release and hold harmless Chickadee Chatter Speech Therapy LLC, its staff, contractors, and event volunteers from any claims, injuries, or losses arising from participation in this event, except in cases of gross negligence. I confirm that I (or my child) am physically able to participate, and I agree to follow the direction of event staff for the safety of all participants.

I consent to Chickadee Chatter Speech Therapy LLC taking photos or videos during the event that may be used in future marketing or social media, unless I note an objection in the field above.

We're keeping this one low-key — the address isn't posted publicly. Sign up here and we'll email it to you directly ahead of the event.

You're in! 🐟

Watch your inbox — we'll send the address and any final details before Fish Talk Summer Fest.