Fly Fishing

Merit Badge

Mr. R.

"The man who coined the phrase 'Money can't buy happiness',
never bought himself a good fly rod!"
Reg Baird - from the video "Labrador Trout"

Mr. R's Fly Fishing Passport^© (24-page, 4"x5" pocket guide) is available in PDF format to print out for non-profit use (requires free Adobe Acrobat^© Reader). Passports are copyrighted, but scouts and troops may use them free of charge if they create only one per scout. BSA councils must first contact Mr. R. before creating large quantities for scout camps, merit badge fairs, etc. (a small nominal fee will be charged).

FISHING FIRST AID

Req#
1

Explain to your counselor the injuries that could occur while fly fishing and the proper treatment, including cuts, scratches, puncture wounds, insect bites, hypothermia, dehydration, and heat reactions. Explain how to remove a hook that has lodged in your arm. Name and explain five safety practices you should always follow while fly fishing.

Recreational Water Injuries Swimming, fishing, and boating injuries.
A Parent’s Guide to First Aid Bleeding, cuts & scrapes, splinters, sunburn, heat emergencies, insect bites, sprains & fractures
Health World Online - Cuts, punctures, heat emergencies, sunburn, etc.
University of Maryland Medicine Dehydration and heat stroke
Columbia University Medical Guide Overexposure: Cold and Heat
Survive Outdoors, Inc Search on left side to Reference (many items!)
First-Aid Page Cuts, abrasions, heatstroke, stings, sprains, etc.
Lutheran General Hospital Management of fishhook injuries (good!)
HOOKED Safety Tips For Fishing

BALANCING A SYSTEM

Req#
2

Discuss how to match a fly rod, line, and leader to get 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.

Flyfishing Connection Lines and leaders
Beginner's Netguide to Flyfishing Excellent explanations on equipment
Patagonia Waters The Balance in the Equipment (good!)

KNOTS & THEIR USES

Req#
3

Demonstrate how to tie proper knots to prepare a fly rod for fishing:
a) Tie a backing to a fly reel spool using the arbor backing knot.
b)Attach backing to fly line using the nail knot.
c) Attach a leader to fly line using the needle knot, nail knot, or loop-to-loop connection.
d) Add a tippet to a leader using a double surgeon's loop or blood knot.
e) Tie a fly onto the terminal end of the leader using the improved clinch knot.

Beginner's Netguide to Fly Fishing - Knots Excellent drawings of the Arbor, Nail, Surgeon's Loop and the Improved Clinch Knot.
Noreast.comAnimated Palomar, Blood, and Improved Clinch Knot
MarinewsAnimated drawings of many knots, including the blood, palomar, and turle knots.
Fishing Cairns Drawings from "Fishing Knots & Rigs".

UNDERSTANDING USES AND TYING FLIES

Req#
4

Explain how each of the following types of flies are used: dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, streamers, bass bugs, and poppers. What does each imitate? Tie at least two types of the flies mentioned in this requirement.

The BSA Flyfishing merit badge book has excellent information and great drawings.

Tasmania Trout & Fly Fishing Centre Wet flies and their uses.
Montana River Fishing Company Dry & wet flies, nymphs, streamers.
All About Fly Fishing Fly tying manual (part 1).
Flyfisher's Paradise Online Fly Tying: Patterns
Kreinik Free trout and bass fly tying patterns

CASTING TECHNIQUES

Req#
5

Demonstrate the ability to cast a fly consistently and accurately using overhead and roll cast techniques.

^©B. DeMarteau

Beginner's Netguide to Fly Fishing - Casting Excellent start (see Animated GIF)
Henry Kanemoto Cast Types - Numerous casting techniques explained
Fishing Tips Step-by-step Flyfishing (see especially casting towards bottom)
African Fishing Holding the Rod & Placing the Line

MATCHING THE HATCH

Req#
6

Go to a suitable fishing location and make observations on the types of insects fish may be eating. Look for flying insects and some that may be on or beneath the water's surface. Look under rocks. Explain the importance of matching the hatch.

Flyfishing Connection Matching the Hatch (by Mark D. Williams)

LEAVE NO TRACE

Req#
7

Explain the importance of practicing Leave No Trace and how it positively affects fly fishing resources.

Leave No Trace Online version

FISHING REGULATIONS

Req#
8

Obtain a copy of the regulations affecting game fishing where you live. Explain why they were adopted and what you accomplish by following them.

For other states, search the Internet with "fishing regulations" and (your state's name).

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Online 2003 Fishing Proclamation.
Utah Poaching Hotline To report poachers.

SPORTSMANLIKE FISHING

Req#
9

Explain what good outdoor sportsmanlike behavior is and how it relates to fishermen. Tell how the Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America relates to a fishing enthusiast, including the aspects of littering, trespassing, courteous behavior, and obeying fishing regulations.

The Outdoor Code Online version
Fishing Courtesy The proper way for fisherman to act

CATCH & IDENTIFY FISH

Req# 10	Using the fly fishing techniques you have learned, catch two different kinds of fish and identify them. Release at least one of them unharmed. Clean and cook another fish.
	The BSA Fly Fishing Merit Badge Pamphlet has very good drawings of common fish and tips to help catch them.

Active Angler Learn to identify game fish

BSA Advancement ID#: 136
Pamphlet Revision Date: New 2002
Requirements last updated in 2002

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Webpage updated December 2003
Webmaster, Mr. R.