Fishing

Merit Badge Workbook

This workbook can help you but you still need to read the merit badge pamphlet.
This Workbook can help you organize your thoughts as you prepare to meet with your merit badge counselor.
You still must satisfy your counselor that you can demonstrate each skill and have learned the information.
You should use the work space provided for each requirement to keep track of which requirements have been completed,
and to make notes for discussing the item with your counselor, not for providing full and complete answers.
If a requirement says that you must take an action using words such as "discuss", "show",
"tell", "explain", "demonstrate", "identify", etc, that is what you must do.
Merit Badge Counselors may not require the use of this or any similar workbooks.
No one may add or subtract from the official requirements found in Boy Scout Requirements (Pub. 33216 – SKU 637685).
The requirements were last issued or revised in 2017 • This workbook was updated in January 2017.

Scout’s Name:__________________________________________
Cole Bakken Unit: __________________________________________
Troop 520

Counselor’s Name: ______________________________________ Counselor’s Phone No.: ___________________________

http://www.USScouts.Org • http://www.MeritBadge.Org
Please submit errors, omissions, comments or suggestions about this workbook to: Workbooks@USScouts.Org
Comments or suggestions for changes to the requirements for the merit badge should be sent to: Merit.Badge@Scouting.Org
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Do the following:
a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in fishing activities, and
what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
Drowning
Know whether people with you can swim.
Wear r a life jacket
Don't roughhouse on the boat
Don't take the boat out in rough weather
Minor Injuries
be careful with any sharp objects
basic first aid
Hypothermia
Wear warm clothes
Don't fall in the water
Seasickness
Don't take the boat out in rough weather
Take dramamine or other motion sickness medication

Workbook © Copyright 2017 - U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. - All Rights Reserved
Requirements © Copyright, Boy Scouts of America (Used with permission.)
This workbook may be reproduced and used locally by Scouts and Scouters for purposes consistent with the programs of the Boy
Scouts of America (BSA), the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) or other Scouting and Guiding Organizations.
However it may NOT be used or reproduced for electronic redistribution or for commercial or other non-Scouting purposes without
the express permission of the U. S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. (USSSP).
Fishing Scout's Name: ________________________
Cole Bakken

b. Discuss the prevention of and treatment for the following health concerns that could occur while fishing,
including cuts, scratches, puncture wounds, insect bites, hypothermia, dehydration, heat exhaustion,
heatstroke, and sunburn.
Cuts: Clean the wound, band-aid it

Scratches: Clean the wound, band-aid it

Puncture wounds: Clean the wound and band-ait it. If more serious, leave the knife or
object in, bandage around it, and get to a hospital

Insect bites: Put cream on for itching, make sure it isn't Lyme disease or
something serious

Hypothermia: Get in warm clothes, bundle up, treat for shock, warm up slowly

Dehydration: Cool down, put in shade, drink water in sips

Heat exhaustion: Cool down, reduce activity, drink water

Heatstroke: Cool down, reduce activity, drink water

Fishing - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 2 of 10

Fishing Scout's Name: ________________________
Cole Bakken

Sunburn:. Put cream on, keep burnt part out of the sun, don't pick at peeling

c. Explain how to remove a hook that has lodged in your arm.

1. If the barb isn’t all the way in, then gently pull it out because it’s just attached to the
first couple layers of skin. You don’t want to push the hook in because that will just do
more damage.
2. If the barb is in, then push the hook all the way through until it comes out, then cut the
barb end off. Pull the rest of the hook out the best way that it won’t go back and forth in
your arm. The goal is to minimize amount the hook goes back and forth in your arm.
3. The goal is to minimize the amount of damage the hook and barb does so need to use
your common sense.

d. Name and explain five safety practices you should always follow while fishing.
1. Always fish with a buddy because you a near the water and you might fall in.
2. Give someone a trip plan so people know where to look for you if you don’t
return.
3. Wear a life jacket
4. Don’t drink alcohol
5. Bring an extra paddle or a means of moving your boat manually in case your
engine dies or you lose a paddle.

2. Discuss the differences between two types of fishing outfits.

Type 1: Spin fishing

Type 2: Not being disruptive of other's experience, ensuring that the enviroment and fishing habitat is maintained.

Differences:
Spin fishing uses any gear not specifically for fly fishing, is typically in a boat or outside of the water, usually still water instead of rivers, uses
different rods

fly fishing is done wading in the water, usually in rivers, uses flies as bait, uses some length of floating line

Differences Fly Fishing Fishing

Rod Type Fly Rods – Lightweight, Used to cast line by false casting. Spin Rods – Heavier, casts monofilament line with singel cast.
Flies vs Lures Fly fishing uses flies (dry flies, nymphs, emergers, streamers) imitates all forms of food fish feed on.
Spin fishing uses heavier lures normally imitating fish

Line Type Fly line, leader, tippet, used to cast the lightweight flies. monofilament line or other type to cast heavier lures that don’t need heavier
line to cast.
Lakes vs Rivers Fly fishing is typically on moving water, though stillwater is still present and done frequently. Conversely, spin fishing is primarily
done on stillwater vs rivers.

Rod Type Fly Rods – Lightweight, Used to cast line by false casting. Spin Rods – Heavier, casts monofilament line with singel cast.
Fly Line vs Fishing Line Fly Rods – Lightweight, Used to cast line by false casting. Spin Rods – Heavier, casts monofilament line with singel
cast.
Presentation Fly fishing allows for an upstream presentation and stealthier presentation. In addition, you can work in tighter quarters when fly
fishing. Spin fishing works well for imitating bait fish or crawdads and are presented at all water depths and are retrieved vs thrown upstream and
brought to you.

Fishing - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 3 of 10

Fishing Scout's Name: ________________________
Cole Bakken

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.

Example of a Spinning Rod & Reel Example of a Salt Water Trolling Rod & Reel

How Casting out and reeling back in Mount to a boat and drive slowly
used:

When When spin fishing, usually from the When trolling in the ocean
used: shore or boat

Care: Keep rust and tangle free Keep rust, salt, and tangle free

Example of an Ice Fishing Rod & Reel Example of a Fly Fishing Rod & Reel

How Drop the line down the ice hole and wait Whip the line back and forth before
used: casting, line floats on the water

When When ice fishing When fly fishing, usually in a river

used:

Care: Keep rust, tangle, salt, and ice free Keep rust and tangle free

Fishing - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 4 of 10

Fishing Scout's Name: ________________________
Cole Bakken

 3. Demonstrate the proper use of two different types of fishing equipment.

4. Demonstrate how to tie the following knots: improved clinch knot, Palomar knot, uni knot, uni to uni knot, and arbor knot.
Explain how and when each knot is used.
 Improved clinch, Attach hook to the line, attach leader to fly

 Palomar knot, Used to attach a hook or fly to the line, the strongest knot

 Uni knot Used to attach a hook to the line

 Uni to uni knot Used for tying two lines together

 arbor knot. Used for attaching the line to a fly reel

5. Name and identify five Artificial Lures and five Natural Baits and explain how to fish with them.
Artificial Lures: (Here are some examples)

Spinner Plug Fly Plastic Worm Jig/Surface Plug

Fishing - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 5 of 10

Fishing Scout's Name: ________________________
Cole Bakken

Artificial Lures How to fish with it:

1. Spinner Reel in slowly, just fast enough to spin around

2. Plug Cast as a normal lure, reel in to make it look like a

minnow

3. Fly Fly fishing. Usinging wading in the water, whip the

line back and forth before casting, the line floats
on top of the water,

4. plastic worm Attach after a hook and troll with that

5. jig Jerk the jig as you reel it in to mimic a fish or

something in the water.

Fishing - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 6 of 10

Fishing Scout's Name: ________________________
Cole Bakken

Natural Baits How to fish with it:

1. Worm Stick a small hook in the head

2. Minnow Stick through the lip or tail

3. Eels Use in a double hook rig, weighted hook in the

head

4. Fiddler Crab Remove right claw and hook through where it

used to be

5. Clam Bits Put on hook, make sure it's not too big.

Explain why bait fish are not to be released.

Because it will affect the ecosystem by releasing invasive species.

Fishing - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 7 of 10

Fishing Scout's Name: ________________________
Cole Bakken

6. Do the following:
a. Explain the importance of practicing Leave No Trace techniques. Discuss the positive effects of Leave No Trace on
fishing resources.
Leaving no trace that you were there other than the fish you catch. This preserves the
environment and fish population for others to experience.

b. Discuss the meaning and importance of catch and release.

Catching a fish but not killing and eating it. Just doing it for the sport and then releasing
it. This allows you to have the challenge and fun of fishing without any effect on the fish
or ecosystem.

Describe how to properly release a fish safely to the water.

Put it in gently with the water going through the gills if possible

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

Ensuring that there isn't overfishing and that the ecosystem isn't harmed by the people fishing or any other actions they take

8. Explain what good outdoor sportsmanlike behavior is and how it relates to anglers.

Not being disruptive of other's experience, ensuring that the enviroment and fishing habitat is maintained.

Fishing - Merit Badge Workbook Page 8 of 10

Fishing Scout's Name: ________________________
Cole Bakken

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.
How it relates to fishing: Being clean in my outdoor manners, being considerate in the
outdoors and being conservation minded

Littering: Keeps the water clean and doesn't ruin the atmosphere, keeps
pollution out of the water, keeps fish alive, clean in my outdoor
manners

Trespassing: Considerate of other's property

Courteous behavior: Considerate of other's experience

Obeying fishing regulations:

Leaves enough fish for everyone, keeps the fish alive for others, doesn't ruin the experience for others

 9. Catch at least one fish and identify it.

Identify the fish yellow muttonfish
 10. 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.)

When working on merit badges, Scouts and Scouters should be aware of some vital information in the current edition of
the Guide to Advancement (BSA publication 33088). Important excerpts from that publication can be downloaded from
http://usscouts.org/advance/docs/GTA-Excerpts-meritbadges.pdf.
You can download a complete copy of the Guide to Advancement from http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf.

Fishing - Merit Badge Workbook Page 9 of 10

 Wilderness Use Policy of the Boy Scouts of America
All privately or publicly owned backcountry land and designated wildernesses are included in the term “wilderness areas” in this
policy. The Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America and the principles of Leave No Trace apply to outdoor behavior
generally, but for treks into wilderness areas, minimum-impact camping methods must be used. Within the outdoor program of
the Boy Scouts of America, there are many different camping-skill levels. Camping practices that are appropriate for day outings,
long-term Scout camp, or short-term unit camping might not apply to wilderness areas. Wherever they go, Scouts need to adopt
attitudes and patterns of behavior that respect the rights of others, including future generations, to enjoy the outdoors.
 In wilderness areas, it is crucial to minimize human impact, particularly on fragile ecosystems such as mountains, lakes and
streams, deserts, and seashores. Because our impact varies from one season of the year to the next, it becomes important
for us to adjust to these changing conditions to avoid damaging the environment.
 The Boy Scouts of America emphasizes these practices for all troops, teams, and crews planning to use wilderness areas:
 Contact the landowner or land-managing agency (USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and private agencies, etc.) well before an outing to learn
the regulations for that area, including group size limits, to obtain required permits and current maps, and to discuss ways
Scouts can fulfill the expectations of property owners or land managers.
 Obtain a tour permit (available through local council service centers), meet all of its conditions, and carry it during the trip.
 Review the appropriate BSA safety literature relating to planned activities. (See Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Climb On
Safely, and Trek Safely.) Also see the Guide to Safe Scouting on the BSA Web site at
http://www.scouting.org/pubs/gss/toc.html for more information on current BSA policies and procedures for ensuring safe
activities, as well as the Fieldbook Web site at http://www.bsafieldbook.org.
 Match the ruggedness of high-adventure experiences to the skills, physical ability, and maturity of those taking part. Save
rugged treks for older unit members who are more proficient and experienced in outdoor skills.
 Conduct pretrip training for your group that stresses proper wilderness behavior, rules, and skills for all of the conditions that
may be encountered, including lightning, missing person, wildfire, high winds, flooding, and emergency medical situations.
 Participate in training in how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace, and be proficient and experienced in the leadership
and skills required for treks into wilderness areas.
 Adhere to the principles of Leave No Trace.

The Principles of Leave No Trace Outdoor Code

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare As an American, I will do my best to—

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces 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
3. Dispose of Waste Properly (Pack It In, Pack It Out) my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and
4. Leave What You Find roadways.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts Be careful with fire. I will prevent wildfire. I will build my fires
6. Respect Wildlife only when and where they are appropriate. When I have
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors 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.
Be considerate in the outdoors. I will treat public and private
property with respect. I will follow the principles of Leave No
Trace for all outdoor activities.
Be conservation-minded. I will learn about and practice good
conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands,
wildlife, and energy. I will urge others to do the same.

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