Scouts from across the country gathered for two weeks of hands-on adventure at R-C Scout Ranch, earning merit badges, catching trout, and gaining conservation skills—all made possible by dedicated volunteers and a partnership between Trout Unlimited and Scouting Arizona, Grand Canyon Council
For the sixth year Arizona Council Trout Unlimited volunteers conducted another great Fish Camp with the Grand Canyon Council BSA. Returning this year as Camp Director is our Education Chair, Arthur Greenway. Arthur did a fabulous job planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the myriad aspects of two weeks of fish camp.
The camp consisted of two one-week sessions in June, held at the R-C Scout Ranch in the cool Ponderosa Pine Forest 20 miles east of Payson Arizona. Over two-dozen Scouts from Arizona, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania earned fly fishing and fishing merit badges, and a lifetime of memories. Each camper received some sweet SWAG, including a sling pack loaded with a box of flies, nippers, forceps, leader, and tippet. Each youth received a Trout Unlimited membership, an AZGFD annual Hunt-Fish Combo license, along with a hat, a shirt, and a unique Fish Camp patch. The patch design, pictured above, includes rockers for various trout species caught. This year we awarded rockers for Gila, Brown, and Rainbow trout. Plus, again this year each camper can earn a free Reddington 8ft 6in 5wt rod and reel upon completion of follow-up fishing related activities within their own community.
More camp photos Session 2 More camp photos Session 3 Highlights included keynote addresses by Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) Commission Commissioner James Goughnour and Commissioner Marsha Petrie Sue giving the campers insight into the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s role in managing over 800 species and giving credibility to the Camp by setting the stage for the week-long program. But the campers didn’t sit around in class all-day listening to speeches; they learned fishing basics of equipment, knots and casting techniques, fly tying, fish anatomy, dissection and pathology, entomology, including using a seine to capture aquatic invertebrates, aquatic invasive, nuisance species, water and soil conservation, including ‘leave no trace’ philosophy, daily excursions to other streams and mountain lakes, an introduction and understanding of AZGFD rules and regulations for fishing and taking of aquatic species, How to properly catch, clean, and cook a fish, part of the Fishing and Fly-Fishing merit badge requirements. The overwhelming response from all they planned to tell others about the wonderful time they had in Fish Camp! The volunteers also shared these feelings.
Our Sponsors: Thanks to Our Sponsors This camp would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, including:
- Arizona Game and Fish Department
- Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation,
- Arizona Wildlife Federation,
- AZ Fly Shop,
- Destination Fly Fish,
- Orvis,
- Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited,
- Old Pueblo Chapter Trout Unlimited,
- Zane Grey Chapter Trout Unlimited.
But the most important contribution came from our volunteers; without which we could not have run a successful camp. Their enthusiasm devoted their time, energy, and expertise to made the camp a success. Those volunteering on-site included: Steve Berry, Marco Cecala, Alan Davis, Arthur Greenway, Kara Jensen, Tom Knight, Neal Repogle, Mark Rosin, Ron Stearns, Kim Tillery, and Alec Young. Also, special thanks to our Scouting Arizona Council, (Grand Canyon Council), partners, and particularly to Greg Harmon, Director of Program Services, and Katie Fisher who helped us run the camp, and to John Goode, who served as camper wrangler and liaisons with Grand Canyon Council. A special shout out to CEO Andy Price, who helped make this program a reality.
Author Credit: Zane Grey Chapter Trout Unlimited
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