[erik]

Took several days off work to fish in Montana and Idaho with kids. First day took 15 year old son to a stream in SW Montana that I have fished for many years. Using four weight rods we proceeded to catch about twenty of the largest whitefish I've ever seen - 16 - 22 inches and fat. Also caught a few brook trout. Was looking for browns, but the whitefish were fun. Next day took my 8 and 10-year-old sons to same place thinking they would have a great time practicing fly casting and catching the large whitefish. My ten year old caught an 18-inch brown on his first cast and then the whitefish took over. We had a great time although the lack of trout bothered me a little. NOW the ethics portion - the next day my 15 year old and I went into Idaho to fish the Henry's Fork. We stopped to get licenses and the store clerk wouldn't sell my son a license because he didn't know his social security number. Montana didn't care that we didn't know the ss # and how many 15 year olds have there ss # memorized anyway. He just turned 15 and has never had to buy a license before and I didn't even consider that we would need to know it. We had driven a long ways and I wasn't happy. We went to a different store and the clerk said the same thing. My "highly reasoned" and downright persuasive arguments had no effect. So I decided upon a "cunning plan." I did know my wife's social security number - we wanted a two-day license - which would know the difference? So, we went into another store and when asked for my son's ss number I gave the guy my wife's number. Seemed like a victimless crime. The state gets his or her money, my son has his license and everybody wins. It turns out my wife had a license in Idaho many years ago and when the clerk put in the ss # my wife's name and information came up. CRAP! As the clerk glared at me suspiciously I turned to my son and said, "See, that's why you should never lie" and then with tails between legs we exited the establishment. Anyway, I had an inner debate as to what to do: a) screw it, he's fishing anyway - we've come a long ways; b) just go back to the cabin and not fish; c) go fishing with him but with only one rod and just take turns casting; or d) go fishing by myself and make him to sit in the car. Going back to Montana was not really an option. I wonder what others might do.
Thanks
Erik