for our future C&R generation.  I had a touching moment this past weekend.  

I took my dad out for some creek/river fishing.  We found a pretty good honey hole that was producing good numbers and trout up to 2 pounds.  After about 10 fish a little boy (Probably 5 years old) comes over from the campground across the street and starts asking questions and is just being a curious 5 year old.  He started telling me his fishing history and how his dad bought him a pole but he forgot it at home.  I was tired and needed a break so I let the kid fish with my rod reel while I sat down.  (Let a random 5 year old borrow my $125 combo   )  Anyway I gave him a quick rundown and let him go to town.

After 2 cast his dad comes over and I start BSing with him.  He felt pretty bad about leaving his kids fishing pole at home, I guess his son really loves fishing.  Anyway on his kids 5th cast he hooks into one that sends the 4# line and 500 series reel SCREAMING!!! I sit back and let his dad give him instructions.  "ROD TIP DOWN.... REAL IN!!"  His dad is going frantic, while his son is just playin this fish perfectly.  After a good 3-4 minute battle this little kid brings in a BEAUTIFUL 4 pound rainbow trout.  

I was really stoked for this kid, but what he did next just touched me.  I took a picture with him, his fish, and his dad, then I did a quick weighing and handed the fish back to the kid.  I told him "Your going to have a good dinner tonight!!" figuring he would keep it.... nope, the kid goes to the waters edge, gently places the fish back in the water, and his exact words were "Nope, i'm gonna let him go so I can catch him next year when he's bigger than my dads big fish"  :'(  .  

How cool is that, a 5 year that practices C&R.  After he released the fish he handed me my pole and said "thanks again MR."

Pretty cool if you ask me.  Just thought I would share with you guys.

Nice story Branuss.  He'll probably remember that rainbow for the rest of his life.

Great story !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

right on branuss. karma---it is headed your way my man. great story.

Kool.  

Great story!

Nice story. Started feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Too bad you can't post pics.  Thanks for sharing.

Nice story. Started feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Too bad you can't post pics. Thanks for sharing.

All of the pics of this kid were on his dads camera.  Didn't want to start taking pictures of a random 5 year old kid on my camera   :-/ . I only took one pic the whole trip.  It was of a Brown Trout that had a fat little belly and fat hunchback.  It was an odd looking trout.  I'll post the pic later if I get around to it.