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Stuff Every Fly Fishing Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the Fly Fishing merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.

Knowing Fly Fishing Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

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Chapter 1: Licenses and Regulations

What is a dry fly?

Short answer: A fly that floats on the surface

A dry fly floats and does not pierce the water surface significantly.

Groan of the day: Dry flies never get in too deep.

Sources: Fly fishing

What does a nymph fly imitate?

Short answer: An aquatic insect larva or pupa

Sub-surface flies like nymphs resemble aquatic insect larvae, nymphs, and pupae.

Groan of the day: Nymphs are a little under the surface.

Sources: Fly fishing

Why was Spey casting developed?

Short answer: High banks left no room for a back cast

Spey casting developed where high banks did not allow space for the usual back cast.

Groan of the day: High banks, high skills.

Sources: Fly fishing

What is hypothermia?

Short answer: Dangerously low body temperature

Hypothermia is dangerously low body temperature, a risk in cold water.

Groan of the day: Cold water can chill you to the bone, so dress for it.

Sources: Scouting America: Fly Fishing

Why is matching the hatch important?

Short answer: Fish feed on insects currently hatching

Matching the hatch means using a fly that resembles the insects fish are eating.

Groan of the day: Match the hatch or miss the catch.

Sources: Fly fishing

The cheat sheet

The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.

  • In fly fishing the line's weight carries the fly, while spin and bait fishing rely on the lure or sinker's weight.
  • Artificial flies typically mimic small invertebrates like insects to attract insect-eating fish.
  • A dry fly floats and does not pierce the water surface significantly.
  • Flies are made by fastening hair, fur, feathers, or other natural and synthetic materials onto a hook.
  • Fly fishing is most renowned for trout, grayling, and salmon, though many species can be caught.
  • Sub-surface flies like nymphs resemble aquatic insect larvae, nymphs, and pupae.
  • Wet flies known as streamers generally imitate minnows, leeches, or scuds.
  • The most common cast is the forward cast, whisking the fly back then forward.
  • Spey casting is essentially a large roll cast, developed on the Scottish River Spey.
  • Spey casting developed where high banks did not allow space for the usual back cast.
  • In deep water streams, an inflatable personal flotation device adds a degree of safety.
  • Felt is banned in some states because it can carry fish and plant diseases that harm fisheries.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. What makes fly fishing different from spin or bait fishing when casting?
    • The weight of the line carries the fly
    • The weight of the sinker pulls the line
    • The fly is heavy enough to throw itself
    Show the answer

    The weight of the line carries the fly. In fly fishing the line's weight carries the fly, while spin and bait fishing rely on the lure or sinker's weight.

  2. What safety item adds protection in deep water streams?
    • A longer leader
    • An inflatable personal flotation device
    • A heavier fly
    Show the answer

    An inflatable personal flotation device. In deep water streams, an inflatable personal flotation device adds a degree of safety.

  3. What should you do if the nymph is drifting too fast?
    • Add more weight
    • Cast again
    • Perform an upstream mend
    Show the answer

    Perform an upstream mend. If the nymph drifts too fast, the fisherman should perform an upstream mend.

  4. Why is heatstroke a serious emergency?
    • It requires immediate medical help
    • It goes away on its own
    • It only affects fish
    Show the answer

    It requires immediate medical help. Heatstroke is serious and needs immediate medical help.

  5. What knot ties a fly onto the end of a leader?
    • The nail knot
    • The improved clinch knot
    • The arbor knot
    Show the answer

    The improved clinch knot. The improved clinch knot ties a fly onto the terminal end of the leader.

Now make it stick

Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.

This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 12 are in the game for members.

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