Two fathers and two sons go fishing. Each catches one fish, yet only three fish are caught. How?

How to think about it

1. Count the roles: two fathers and two sons sounds like four people, and four fish would be caught.
2. Only three fish are caught, so there must be three people. Someone has to be both a father and a son.
3. A grandfather is a father. His son is both a father and a son. The grandson is a son.
4. Three people, two of whom are fathers and two of whom are sons.

Why “a grandfather, father and son” is the answer

A grandfather, his son and his grandson make three people. The grandfather and the middle man are both fathers; the middle man and the boy are both sons. That gives two fathers and two sons with only three fishermen, and three fish. The riddle works because “father” and “son” describe relationships, not separate individuals.

Common wrong answers

• One of them lied. The riddle has an honest answer, so there is no need to assume a lie.
• Two of them shared a fish. Each person catches one fish, so sharing does not explain the count.