Requirements
1. Do the following:
(a) Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while
participating in fly-fishing activities and what you should do to anticipate, help
prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards. Name and explain five safety
practices you should always follow while fly-fishing.
(b) Discuss the prevention of and treatment for health concerns that could
occur while fly-fishing, including cuts and scratches, puncture wounds, insect
bites, hypothermia, dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and sunburn.
(c) Explain how to remove a hook that has lodged in your arm.
2. Demonstrate how to match a fly rod, line, and leader to achieve a balanced
system. Discuss several types of fly lines, and explain how and when each
would be used. Review with your counselor how to care for this equipment.
3. Demonstrate how to tie proper knots to prepare a fly rod for fishing:
(a) Tie backing to the arbor of a fly reel spool using an arbor knot.
(b) Tie backing to the fly line using a nail knot.
(c) Attach a leader to the fly line using a nail knot or a loop-to-loop connection.
(d) Add a tippet to a leader using a surgeon’s knot or a loop-to-loop connection.
(e) Tie a fly onto the terminal end of the leader using an improved clinch knot.
4. Explain how and when each of the following types of flies is used: dry flies, wet
flies, nymphs, streamers, bass bugs, poppers, and saltwater flies. Tell what each
one imitates. Tie at least two types of the flies mentioned in this requirement.
5. Demonstrate the ability to cast a fly 30 feet consistently and accurately using
both overhead and roll cast techniques.
6. Go to a suitable fishing location and observe what fish may be eating both above
and beneath the water’s surface. Explain the importance of matching the hatch.
7. Do the following:
(a) Explain the importance of practicing Leave No Trace techniques. Discuss
the positive effects of Leave No Trace on fly-fishing resources.
(b) Discuss the meaning and importance of catch and release. Describe how
to properly release a fish safely to the water.
8. Obtain and review a copy of the regulations affecting game fishing where you
live or where you plan to fish. Explain why they were adopted and what is
accomplished by following them.
9. Discuss what good sportsmanlike behavior is and how it relates to anglers.
Tell how the Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America relates to a fishing
enthusiast, including the aspects of littering, trespassing, courteous behavior,
"catch and release," and obeying fishing regulations.
10. Catch at least one fish and identify it.
11. If regulations and health concerns permit, clean and cook a fish you have caught.
Otherwise, acquire a fish and cook it. (You do not need to eat your fish.)
Resources:
Scouting.org Merit Badges - Requirements
boyscouttrail.com Merit Badges