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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Fishing guide’s tip: Don’t spare the rod on kids

Sam Arnott, 11, of Mill Creek, Wash., with a lake trout he caught at Lake Chelan with Darrell and Dad's Family Guide Service. (Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service)
Sam Arnott, 11, of Mill Creek, Wash., with a lake trout he caught at Lake Chelan with Darrell and Dad's Family Guide Service. (Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service)

FISHING -- Chelan-area guide Anton Jones, who fishes with families almost every week, has a bit of advice for adults who take kids out fishing, especially as the kids get older.

"I see all too often, parents stepping in and “rescuing” a 14-year-old kid that is struggling with a bigger fish or a slightly more difficult task," said the owner of Darrell and Dad's Family Guide Service.

"I know you don’t want them to fail, but you’ve got to let them work through some adversity to build confidence and competence.We had an 11-year-old that handled a 20-pound fish on a heavy outrigger rod. It was difficult for him, but you could see him mature a bit more in that moment." 



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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