As I was prepping a rod for my self my other son hollers that he has a fish. Sure enough his rod is doubled over and the fish taking drag. He did so well keeping pressure on the fish and holding on to his rod. I helped get the fish out of the hole and he couldn't stop laughing as I said that that was a huge fish! He caught a 20" rainbow and couldn't stop talking about it all day. My other son was a little bummed that he didn't catch a "Big" fish. I explained that that is what happens sometimes and that every time he goes fishing that there is always a chance to catch a big fish.
My boys are three and a half and I couldn't be prouder seeing them hook and fight these fish all by themselves. I have taught them C&R practices and they didn't even once ask to keep the fish. They know that dad lets all the rainbows go and only keeps salmon. They even said in the hut, "we let the rainbows go mama, only salmon we keep." Although I am C&R for rainbows, it's a stocked lake and if they wanted to keep one I would have let them. It's their choice. I managed only one fish about 20" as well. The boys outfished me for sure. Great day with the family. It's never too early to take your kids out fishing.....
