Fly-Fishing Merit Badge
2013
Injuries and Treatment (1)
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Cuts
Scratches
Puncture wounds
Hypothermia
Dehydration
Heat exhaustion
Heatstroke
Fish Hook Removal (1)
Press
Press
Safety Practices (1)
Name and explain five safety practices while fishing
1. Trip itinerary
2. Wading
3. Boating
4. Canoe travel
5. Near-drowning
A Balanced System (2)
Reel
Rod
Line
Leader
Assembling a balanced fly-fishing rig is as easy as matching
the numbers on the fly line to the numbers on the fly reel
and rod.
How should you care for this equipment?
Balanced System in Action
Type of Line
How and when to use these lines?
Release button
Reel frame
Handle
Adjustable drag
knob
Counterbalance
Spool
Spool arbor
Post
Reel foot
Standard fly reel
Line guard
Arbor Knot (3a)
Needle Knot (3c)
Nail Knot (3c)
Loop-to-Loop (3c)
Double Surgeon’s Loop (3d)
Step 2
Step 1
Final
Blood Knot (3d)
Improved Clinch Knot (3e)
Fly Tying (4)
• Tie at least two of the following flies:
– Dry flies
– Wet flies
– Nymphs
– Streamers
– Bass bugs
– Poppers
How are DRY FLIES used?
• What do they imitate?
Royal Wulff
How are WET FLIES used?
• What do they imitate?
Woolly Bugger
How are NYMPHS used?
• What do they imitate?
March Brown Nymph
How are STEAMERS used?
• What do they imitate?
Little Trout
How are BASS BUGS used?
• What do they imitate?
Green Leech Bass Bug
How are POPPERS used?
• What do they imitate?
Red and White Bass Popper
Casting (5)
• Demonstrate the ability to cast a fly 30 feet
consistently and accurately using the following
techniques:
– Overhead cast
– Roll cast
Matching the Hatch (6)
• Go to a suitable fishing location and make
observations on the type of insects fish may
be eating.
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Floating on the water
Flying in the air
Beneath the water
Hiding under rock
• Explain the importance of matching the hatch.
Leave No Trace (7)
• Explain the importance of Leave No Trace.
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Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
• How does it positively affects fishing resources?
Leave No Trace Cont. (7)
• How does it positively affect fishing
resources?
• Discuss the meaning and importance of catch
and release (“biological LNT”).
• Describe how to properly release a fish safely
to the water.
Biological LNT: Bait Fish
Why are bait fish not to be released?
• Be aware that releasing live bait and bait
water can introduce undesirable fish,
parasites, or diseases to native fish.
• Dispose of unused live bait and any water in
the bait bucket on land well away from any
water.
Fishing Regulations (8)
• Review regulations affecting game fishing
where you live.
• Explain why they were adopted?
• What do you accomplish by following these
regulations?
Proper Conduct (9)
• Explain what good outdoor sportsmanlike
behavior is.
• How does it relate to a fisherman?
The Outdoor Code (9)
As an American, I will do my best to:
• Be clean in my outdoor manners
I will treat the outdoors as a heritage.
I will take care of it for myself and others.
I will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields,
woods, and roadways.
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Be careful with fire
I will prevent wildfire.
I will build my fires only where they are appropriate.
When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out.
I will leave a clean fire ring, or remove all evidence of my fire.
The Outdoor Code Cont. (9)
• Be considerate in the outdoors
I will treat public and private property with respect.
I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping.
• Be conservation minded
I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil,
waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy.
I will urge others to do the same.
What Does the Outdoor Code
Mean to a Fisherman?
What about:
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Littering
Trespassing
Courteous behavior
Obeying fishing regulations
Fish Caught (10)
• Catch at least one fish.
• If regulations and health concerns permit,
clean and cook a fish you have caught.
Otherwise, acquire a fish and cook it.
Fish Caught (10)
• How do you release one fish unharmed?
• How did you clean and cook one fish?
Credits
The presentation slides and photos were compiled by Bill Pepito,
member of the National Fishing Committee, Central Region
Outdoor Program fishing chair, certified angler educator with the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Special
acknowledgement to the BSA national fishing team for its
assistance and Troop 190 from the Northeast Illinois Council,
whose picture is posted in this presentation. The presentation is
a work in progress and is subject to change. Send your
recommendations, suggestions, comments to my attention at
billpepito@gmail.com or billpepito64@yahoo.com. FISH ON!