Catfish Kids

**An Interview With 3 1/2-Year-Old Reed Richards**

by Ron Presley

When you bring them up on the water amongst the catfish and slime, the outcome should be expected.

Reed Richards is the 3 1/2-year-old son of Tyler Richards and Kaitie Thompson. He was the December 2020 cover boy on CatfishNOW Magazine. Reed started fishing with his dad at about 8 months old and was holding a rod by age one. His brother Rhett is following close behind. He’s got the bug almost as bad as Reed does.

**Tyler Richards is shown here with both his boys, Reed (right) and Rhett who just turned two years old and can already cast a full-size spinning reel.**

**Young Reed doesn’t mind catching flatheads even though he says he likes channel cats best. Either species brings a big smile to his face.**

**If Reed has his preference he would rather fish on rivers. He is shown here with his two-year-old brother, Rhett, and a couple of nice channel cats from the Rock River in North-Western Illinois.**

Reed just seemed to be bitten right away by the catfishing bug. He was quickly into catfish slime and wanting to do everything that dad did. More than that he is always anxious to show off his big catch, especially to his mom.

Reed’s passion doesn’t go unnoticed by his mom who wrote this in a Facebook post, “We’ve seen such a spark at such a young age that many kids don’t have. And it’s not only the spark but it’s the persistence, the consistency, and the willingness to learn more every single day”

With the help of Tyler and Kaitie, CatfishNOW caught up with Reed to ask a few questions and see how things were going with him.

CFN: How old are you Reed?
Reed: I’m 3.5 years old.

CFN: What did you do for your birthday?
Reed: I went ice fishing on my birthday.

CFN: What is your favorite thing to watch on TV?
Reed: I like to watch catfishing videos.

CFN: What’s your favorite toy?
Reed: My favorite toy is a fishing rod.

CFN: What is your favorite thing to eat?
Reed: My favorite thing to eat is a peanut butter & jelly sandwich.

CFN: Where is your favorite place to go?
Reed: I like to go to the river.

CFN: Do you like flatheads or channel cats best?

Reed: I like channel cats best.

CFN: What is your favorite bait? Why?
Reed: My favorite bait is bluegill because they are easy to catch.

CFN: Fishing hooks are sharp. Does that bother you?
Reed: Fishing hooks do not bother me.

CFN: Do you like fishing in lakes or rivers best?
Reed: I like fishing rivers best.

CFN: What is something you’re very good at?
Reed: I am very good at throwing my cast net.

CFN: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Reed: I want to be just like my dad.

CFN: Do you have any questions for Daddy?
Reed: Can we go fishing tonight after work?

From the interview with Reed, it became quickly apparent that Reed Richards is destined to be a catman. He seems sure to follow in his dad’s footsteps and probably helping to lead his brother, Rhett, along the same path. He has been instilled with something special, a love for fishing that should last him for the rest of his life.

CatfishNOW can only conclude that the catfish community can expect to see a lot of Reed Richards in the future. Whether it be on the tournament trail, or just out on the water having fun, Reed has a passion for catfishing.