CERTIFIED ANGLER INSTRUCTOR

CAI COURSE 2026 SE-1

ONLINE and IN-PERSON

This is a hybrid CAI training course.  Four online sessions and one in-person day at Camp Barstow.  18 hours total to complete.  Participants will be trained on Scout safety while fishing, techniques to rig, bait, and find fish.  Fish cleaning and preparation for cooking.  Fish identification and biology.  How to plan a fishing event at the pack, troop & crew levels.  We will also have hands on training for fly tying, fly rod use, spinning, spin cast, and telescoping pole fishing.  You must complete all online modules and in-person modules to complete the course.   Cost is $20.00 per participant.

This CAI course is for adult leaders and Scouting youth age 15 and up, must have earned their Fishing & Fly-Fishing Merit Badges, and enjoy teaching fishing skills to our youth and want to enhance their teaching and event planning skills in the fishing area. This course is open to participants from all BSA councils nationwide.

This class will be taught virtually online on Wednesday nights from 7:00pm-9:30pm.  The meeting link and password will be sent to participants prior to the start of the course once registration closes.

The online portion of the course will be delivered as follows:

• Module 1  September 9   (Intro, Cub Scout and Scouts BSA Fishing Programs) 
• Module 2  September 16 (Fishing Tackle)
• Module 3  September 23 (Safety, Ethics, Fishery Management, Knots) 
• Module 4  September 30 (The nature of fish, Where to find fish, Fishing Basics)

The in-person portion of the course:

The In-person portion will be on October 2-3, 2026 at Camp Barstow.  Saturday Breakfast and lunch will be provided.  We will use campsites with Adirondacks or you may bring your tent or hammock.  Arrive after 5:00pm on Friday and will conclude by 4:00pm on Saturday.

Are you searching for programs that will lead to member recruitment, reactivation, and retention? Then we think we have just the Scouting America Supplemental Training course for you! Like many things in Scouting, the Scouting America Certified Angling Instructor (CAI) training course is designed to be fun with a purpose!

What can Certified Angling Instructors do?

· Teach the Scouting America Fishing Basics course.

· Train and qualify Scouting America Angling Educators.

· Serve on your Council’s Fishing Committee or Start one.

· Be a subject matter expert for Fishing Derbies, Summer Camp, Merit Badge clinics, and fishing related advancement.

Course Highlights

· Become recognized as a Scouting America Certified Angling Instructor and receive an Official Train the Trainer Certification CS-61 and a CAI patch.

· Learn basic fishing and fly-fishing skills including fly casting, fly tying, knots, and how to teach them. Receive the materials to assist you in delivering the program as well as online resource locations.

· As a CAI you will have the opportunity to get fishing and fly-fishing equipment at greatly reduced rates for teaching Scouts.

Participants will:

· Understand available resources for unit angler education program development to inspire member recruitment and retention.

· Gain education and insight through active participation in dozens of Angling Education learning activities.

Activities include:

· Age and Skill-Level based programs.

· Focused on the aims of Scouting America Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Sea Scout, and Venturing programs.

· Focus on the methods that include Outdoors, Angling and Conservation.

Who can attend?

· All registered adult volunteers.

· Youth, that are 15 years or older can participate and must have earned their Fishing & Fly-Fishing Merit Badges.

· Open to both In-Council and Out-of-Council attendees.

· No prior fishing experience is required.

Learn more about the BSA’s Certified Angler Instructor program, which trains leaders to execute fishing programs at the local council level. After completing the training make sure to update your training record with PAS Code: CS61

Find the CAI brochure here: BSA Fishing CAI Trifold Brochure

For questions, contact Course Director David Inman at dinman411@gmail.com