I don't often find the time to write regular articles for the websites anymore, but when Brad Siefert contacted me about the recent efforts of the Michigan Fly Fishing Club I couldn't turn him down.  I was once a Boy Scout and it instilled in me the love that I now have for the outdoors and hunting and fishing.   It is scary to think what would have happened had Fly Fishing Merit Badge been offered to me during my scouting career.

This Fly Fishing Merit Badge workshop was held May 17, 2003 at the Plymouth Twp. Park.  The program was offered to BSA troops in the area along with club member's children and non-members children.

Boy Scout merit badge requirements were followed.  All requirements were demonstrated, discussed and applied.  A BSA fly fishing merit badge counselor was on hand to certify each scout.

The day was divided up into 4 classes lasting 1.5-2 hours.  The classes were as follows:
1)  Fly tying.  A wooly bugger, wooly worm, simple dry fly and Mickey Finn.
2)  Knots, equipment, rods, reels, line, leaders, tippets, waders, vests, net, etc.
3)  Casting and fishing at the stocked pond.
4)  Entomology (what the trout eat)

Lunch and snacks were provided to all.  Thanks to several of the scouts moms for their help in that department.  One requirement was that the scout was to catch, clean, and eat a fish!  The club provided a small pond filled with 12-16 trout.  There was a supervised cleaning station next to the grills.

The merit badge was given out to around 50-55 scouts who completed the program.  There was even one group of scouts who traveled from Toledo, Ohio.

The program chairmen were Dale Ross and Jeff Parker.  There were over 30 club members from the Michigan Fly Fishing Club that came out and helped.