Kirk Deeter, of Field &Stream, wonders whether the fishers of tomorrow are getting the right message.
āI gave another elementary school talk the other day, and was once again blown away by the enthusiasm 10-year-olds have for fishing. They asked many great questions, but there was a pattern that left me feeling concerned.
"Have you ever been attacked by a shark?" (Nopeā¦ but Iāve watched them jump and thrash when Iāve fought them on a fly rod, and Iāve had them brush against me when Iām scuba diving.)
Have you ever been bit by a rattlesnake? (Noā¦ but I am afraid of them, so I try really hard not to step on them.)
What fish scares you the most? (The trout thatās rising, and I cannot figure out how to catch itā¦ I think Iām losing my mind.)
Have you ever seen a big fish kill anyone? (No, not any people. Iāve seen big fish eat little fish, and birds, and that sort of stuff.)
Have you ever been attacked by a "river monster?" (Not yet.)
Look, I get what the show "River Monsters" is all aboutā¦ā