Fishing Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

BSA has created updated versions of the Troop Program features for Scouts BSA. The Fishing program feature is available in digital format on the BSA website or can be purchased as a publication from you local Scout Shop.

The Fishing feature teaches Scouts helps Scouts appreciate the ups and downs of the sport of fishing. The program feature includes some general information and some more specific ideas for meetings:

• How to find places to fish
• What fishing gear and tackle you need
• How and when to set the hook
• How to land a fish
• How to remove a hook safely
• Fishing knots

Suggested troop meeting ideas are grouped by essential, challenging, or advanced. Here are a few you can see in the guide.

• Discuss fishing basics (essential)
• Attempt the Fishing merit badge (essential)
• Use an open faces spinning outfit (challenging)
• Provide an opportunity to earn the Fly Fishing merit badge (advanced)
• Learn how to cast (essential)
• Learn the roll cast and the overhead cast (advanced)
• Learn five basic fishing knots (essential)
• Teach fishing knots to others using the EDGE method (challenging)
• Also learn fly fishing knots (advanced)
• Learn about fishing tackle (essential)
• Inspect fishing gear (challenging)
• Repair fishing gear (advanced)

There are also several games suggested to keep things interesting at your troop meetings

• Name that fish
• Fish identification challenge
• Casting accuracy challenge
• Fishing knot patrol challenge

The plan even provides Scoutmaster’s minutes and ceremonies for meetings.

Then there is the “Main Event”. Once again, there are suggestions for essential, challenging, or advanced. Details and planning aids can be found in the online guide.

• Go on a fishing day trip (essential)
• Camp overnight and go fishing (challenging)
• Have a weekend campout which focuses on fly fishing or bait casting (advanced)

Find some related helps and achievements for the Fishing Troop Program Feature below.

The Outdoor Code

Every Scout who is spending time outdoors should be familiar with the Outdoor Code. It is especially important for Webelos, Scouts BSA, and Venturers who are out camping regularly.

Take Me Fishing: Places to Fish in Your Area

TakeMeFishing.org has an interactive map which will help you to locate the places to fish closest to you. Just enter your zip code. You might be amazed to find local parks that allow fishing!

Scouts BSA First Class Aquatics Requirements Helps and Documents

First Class requirement 6 is is designed to ensure that Scouts are safe in the water. Scouts complete a swimming test and learn about safe boating.

National Outdoor Awards – Aquatics Segment Requirements

To complete the requirements for the National Outdoor Award Adventure Segment, a Scout or Venturer must be a proficient swimmer, have some lifesaving skills, complete the mile swim, and spend some time enjoying aquatics adventures such as swimming, paddling, fishing, or scuba diving.

Scouts BSA Tenderfoot Camping and Outdoor Ethics Requirements Helps and Documents

Tenderfoot requirement 1 is related to camping and the outdoors. New Scouts learn to prepare for a campout and find out what should be on their packing lists. They use these skills when they camp overnight. They also learn how to be responsible citizens in the outdoors.

Scouts BSA Second Class Nature Requirements Helps and Documents

Second Class requirement 4 is about nature. Scouts learn to identify the signs of animals in their vicinity.

Scouts BSA Second Class Camping and Outdoor Ethics Requirements Helps and Documents

Second Class requirement 1 is related to camping and being outdoors. Scouts learn to select a campsite and how to have good manners in the outdoors. They put these skills to use by going on outdoor activities.

Scouts BSA First Class Camping and Outdoor Ethics Requirements Helps and Documents

First Class requirement 1 is related to camping and being outdoors. Scouts learn how to have good manners in the outdoors. They put these skills to use by going on outdoor activities.

Scouts BSA First Class Leadership Requirements Helps and Documents

First Class requirement 10 is related to inviting and welcoming others. Scouts invite a friend to come to a Scout activity.

Fishing Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts working on the Fishing merit badge learn to safely catch, clean, and cook fish. They familiarize themselves with a variety of fishing equipment and the knots needed to use it. They also learn about different species of fish and types of baits.

Fish and Wildlife Management Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts working on the requirements for the Fish and Wildlife Management merit badge learn about the populations of fish, birds, mammals, and other wildlife. They study the habitats of wildlife and learn about careers in this area.

Fly Fishing Merit Badge Helps and Documents

By working on the requirements for the Fly Fishing merit badge, Scouts come to appreciate and enjoy catching fish with a fly rod. They learn how to prepare for a safe fishing outing and to observe local regulations. Scouts become familiar with the knots needed for fly fishing. Then they put their knowledge to use by catching some fish.