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Boy Scouts of America> Boy Scouts> Advancement & Awards> Introduction to Merit Badges> Fishing

Fishing


Fishing
BSA Supply No. 33231

In Scouting for Boys, Baden-Powell offers this advice: "Every Scout ought to be able to fish in order to get food for himself. A tenderfoot [beginner] who starved on the bank of a river full of fish would look very silly, yet it might happen to one who had never learned to catch fish."

Requirements

  1. Explain to your counselor the injuries that could occur while 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 fishing.
  2. Learn and explain the differences between two types of fishing outfits. Point out and identify the parts of several types of rods and reels. Explain how and when each would be used. Review with your counselor how to care for this equipment.
  3. Demonstrate the proper use of two different types of fishing equipment.
  4. Demonstrate how to tie the following knots: clinch, palomar, turle, blood loop (barrel knot), and surgeon's loop. Explain how each knot is used and when to use it.
  5. Name and identify five basic artificial lures and five natural baits and explain how to fish with them. Explain why baitfish are not to be released.
  6. Explain the importance of practicing Leave No Trace and how it positively affects fishing resources.
  7. Give the regulations affecting game fishing where you live. Explain why they were adopted and what you accomplish by �following those regulations.
  8. 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 sports enthusiast, including the aspects of littering, trespassing, courteous behavior, and obeying fishing regulations.
  9. Catch two different kinds�of fish and identify them. Release at least one of them unharmed. Clean and cook another fish.

Resources

Scouting Literature

Boy Scout Handbook, Conservation Handbook, and Fieldbook; Camping, Cooking, Environmental Science, First Aid, Fish and Wildlife Management, Fly-Fishing, Lifesaving, Soil and Water Conservation, and Swimming merit badge pamphlets.

Books

  • Baron, Frank P. What Fish Don't Want You to Know: An Insider's Guide to Freshwater Fishing. Ragged Mountain Press, 2004.
  • Bashline, Sylvia. The New Cleaning & Cooking Fish: The Complete Guide to Preparing Delicious Freshwater Fish. Creative Publishing International, 1999.
  • Circle, Homer. Bass Wisdom. The Lyons Press, 2000.
  • Earnhardt, Tom. Boats for Fishermen. The Lyons Press, 2001.
  • Kaminsky, Peter. Fishing for Dummies. IDG Books Worldwide, 1997.
  • Maas, Dave. Kids Gone Fishin'. Creative Publishing International, 2001.
  • National Audubon Society. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Fishes. Knopf, 2002.
  • Pfeiffer, C. Boyd. The Complete Book of Tackle Making. The Lyons Press, 1999.
  • Rosko, Milt. The Complete Book of Saltwater Fishing. Krause Publications, 2001.
  • Schultz, Ken. Ken Schultz's Fishing Encyclopedia: Worldwide Angling Guide. IDG Books Worldwide, 2000.
  • Sousa, Robert J. Learn to Fly Fish in 24 Hours. Ragged Mountain Press, 2006.
  • Vick, Noel. Fishing on Ice. Human Kinetics Publishers, 1999.
  • Wilson, Geoff. Geoff Wilson's Complete Book of Fishing Knots and Rigs. Australian Fishing Network, 2006.

Organizations and Web Sites

American Sportfishing Association and Future Fisherman Foundation
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: 703-519-9691
Web sites: http://www.asafishing.organdhttp://www.futurefisherman.org

The Catch and Release Foundation
19 Parmalee Road
Newtown, CT 06740
Toll-free telephone: 800-63-CATCH
Web site: http://www.catchandreleasefound.org

Izaak Walton League of America
707 Conservation Lane
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Telephone: 301-548-0150
Web site: http://www.iwla.org

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries
1315 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Telephone: 301-713-2334
Web site: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov

National Park Service
1849 C St., NW
Washington, DC 20240
Telephone: 202-208-6843
Web site: http://nps.gov

Trout Unlimited
1300 N. 17th St., Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22209-2404
Telephone: 703-522-0200
Web site: http://www.tu.org

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Main Interior
1849 C St., NW
Washington, DC 20240-0001
Web site: http://www.fws.gov

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