Get Hooked

I might be incredibly biased as this has family involved with Get Hooked, but I went from knowing absolutely nothing about fish in Canada to knowing more about fish and some really cool Indigenous traditions. Heidi and Leah did an outstanding job with this documentary, capturing the stories of Faye, Emma, Vik, and SJ and their connection to a predominantly male focused hobby/sport.

This miniseries documentary makes me want to fish... and I had zero interest in it 😆

Beyond fishing, I love that this series touches on many social concerns, from mental health, complex family dynamics, and the LGBTQ+ community. This is worth a watch.

I have always wanted to fish but fell in love with shooting so it's been a distraction... but this series is about so much more than fishing. It shares stories of ancestors, of feeling vulnerable, the healing power of being out in nature... it shows how you can enjoy outdoor sports and gain valuable mental strength from it and from being around good, supportive people. No matter who you are, male, female, queer, straight, young, old, black, white able bodied or not, fieldsports are for everyone and nature really doesn't give a damn!

I only rated this nine because I want to see series two please!

This series is an incredibly well-shot and intimately-crafted piece of cinema that presents like a love letter to the natural waterways of Ontario and the diverse people who use and care for it/

Between the cute photo-montages that act as educational interludes to inform non-angler viewers of the nuances of a diverse fish species present in lakes and rivers of Ontario, and the episode ending sequences that provide a whimsical recap to the emotional character of each episode, somehow, Get Hooked manages to bring the lives of real people and their motivations under the microscope for all to enjoy. Unashamed and proudly presenting diversity, Get Hooked manages to deliver a fun easy-viewing experience that seems to be the perfect hype-person for an upcoming summer filled with enjoying the natural beauty of Ontario.

The show takes big risks and it delivers on quality and content.

For anyone who can't get out on the water, maybe watching this series could be the next best thing. Highly recommended.