Bucyrus, Kan.—Three Olathe Bass Club members assisted Boy Scouts in earning their Fishing Merit Badges March 19 during a scout campout.
Olathe Bass Club (OBC) members Roger Kruep, Rick McLeod and Pete Morrone assisted 16 Boy Scouts from Olathe Boy Scout Troop 225 during the fishing segment of the troop’s annual March Madness Campout at a local farm. The club has held special fishing events for the local Cub Scout pack in the past, but this was the first time its members assisted the Boy Scouts, according to Morrone.
“The Olathe Bass Club thrives on supporting both the community and youth,” Morrone said. “This event was a huge success in an opportunity where we were able to serve both at the same time.”
Before fishing the pond at the farm property, the scouts listened to Morrone talk about size and creel limits and the importance of following these regulations on any body of water. McLeod spoke to the boys about fishing on private property and using selective harvesting to better maintain the pond. Kruep handed out 2016 Kansas Fishing Regulation booklets and an official measuring board to all of the boys. The three club members also talked about different types of reels and gave away some free lures to use on the pond.
The boys spent the next four hours fishing and working on the nine pages of requirements to complete their Fishing Merit Badges. The requirements included learning about fishing safety, equipment, regulations, fish care, catching fish, cleaning fish, eating fish and more.
Twelve of the Boys Scouts completed all the requirements and earned their fishing badges. Scout Jack Garbeff caught the biggest bass, a 6-pound, 10-ounce largemouth, and Morrone’s son, Coby, caught the most fish of the day with 13 bass.
