On August 31, 1803 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set off on the water from Pittsburg taking the Ohio River downstream   They had been instructed by President Jefferson to find passage through to the west coast and to fulfill a mission to explore the United States.  They traveled through territory that had never been mapped and through landscapes where plants and animals had never been recorded.  To survive, the Expedition had to hunt and fish.   Their adventure was not just about survival, they also fished for fun. 

 

Staying on major rivers, the Expedition traveled more than 3,700 river miles from the junction of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers to the mouth of the Columbia River wher it reaches the Pacific Ocean. By the end of their trip, they discovered 178 different plants and 122 animals that had never been described before.  This total included 14 different fish species.

 

The Federation of Fly Fishers has created a resource for use with middle school age students.  A 24-page student booklet describes the true story of the greatest fishing story ever - the story of Lewis and Clark told through fishing.  A companion booklet is provided for instructors, educators and teachers to help guide the use of the student booklet.

 

The booklet was inspired by "Undaunted Anglers: Fishing with Lewis and Clark" exhibit that was part of the FFF Fly Fishing Discovery Center.  Funding was provided for by Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Montana Chapter of American Fisheries Society.