Lawmakers hooked on Sultan man’s idea for at-risk kids

SULTAN — A Snohomish County man is angling to get kids hooked on fishing.

Bob Klement, of Sultan, came up with an idea for a new law that would allow programs for at-risk children and teens to get group fishing permits instead of having to pay for each angler.

He pitched it to state Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, just before the start of the legislative session in January. Pearson said he thought it was a great idea and got to work on a bill right away.

“It’s one of those bills that makes so much sense,” he said. “My fellow legislators, they got it.”

The bill passed unanimously through the House and Senate. Gov. Jay Inslee signed it into law April 24.

“When the governor put pen to paper, my dream came true,” Klement said. “This bill is a rarity because it’s one of the few that passed on the first try. The impact it’s going to have on kids in this state is tremendous.”

Effective July 24, free group permits can be issued on a seasonal basis to a state or local agency, or nonprofit group that runs a program for at-risk youth. Catch record cards also are to be provided at no cost to those fishing under a group permit.

The record cards are required for certain types of fish and must be turned in to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regardless of whether there’s a catch.

Ordinarily, the first card is free and each additional card costs $12.60. The price of a regular fishing permit varies for different age groups and types of fish. For those 16 and older, a freshwater fishing licence costs $29.50 and a saltwater permit is $30.05.

Klement wanted to reduce the cost of fishing with the bill in hopes that more young people would be able to enjoy outdoor recreation and stay out of trouble.

“It’s got an awesome, awesome potential to help a lot of kids,” he said.

Klement and Pearson said they still have work to do before fishing season starts in June. They’re spreading the word about the group permits and looking for donated fishing gear to give to groups that work with at-risk youth.

That way, nonprofits such as the Boys &Girls Clubs, Volunteers of America and the Edge Effect in Index can take advantage of the free group permits.

Calei Vaughn, director of Volunteers of America Sky Valley Services in Sultan, said she’s already organizing a fishing trip. The expense of buying individual licences for each fisher previously prevented the nonprofit from taking young people out on the river, she said.

“We live in one of the best spots for recreation in Washington state,” Vaughn said. “We want to take advantage of it as soon as possible.”

Vaughn also heads the Sultan Community Task Force, a volunteer group aimed at solving problems related to poverty, homelessness and at-risk youth. Klement got the idea for the law while working with that group.

The retired Army combat veteran said he finds peace on the Skykomish River. Klement, 48, has enjoyed angling since he was old enough to hold a fishing pole. Now he’d like to share his skill with young people who might need a mentor to stay on the right track.

“So many of these kids are heading down the wrong path,” he said. “If we can catch just a couple and change their lives, it’ll be a tremendous benefit for the community.”

People can make arrangements to donate fishing gear by emailing Klement at silverhookd1@gmail.com.

Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.