{"id":14,"date":"2026-06-13T04:06:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T04:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mylivingsacrifice.com\/devdemo\/JoeHumphreys\/index.php\/homework\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T15:01:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T15:01:32","slug":"homework","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mylivingsacrifice.com\/devdemo\/JoeHumphreys\/homework\/","title":{"rendered":"Homework & Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

PRINTABLE DRILLS  ·  SCORECARDS  ·  AT-HOME PRACTICE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Homework & Practice<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>

Printable drills, scorecards and trackers for every week of the Stream School. The scorecards reward the four elements of Joe’s method - depth, drift, line control, imitation - plus stealth and stewardship, so a kid can have a great day without landing a single fish. We measure the process, not the luck.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Hit print and the whole pack comes out - photocopy the at-home sheet for every family.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

OBSERVATION BEFORE ACTION  ·  THE CAMP JOURNAL<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Sit, Watch, Then Cast<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

Joe’s rule: 15 minutes of watching before the first cast. Sit at the water, look for rising fish, identify current seams, watch for insects. The journal captures what you see. Over time it becomes a record of the water - what works, what does not, and when.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

BEFORE YOU CAST<\/p>\n

☐  What does the water look like? Describe the current - fast, slow, swirling?<\/p>\n

☐  Are any fish rising? If so, where - surface, mid-water, bottom?<\/p>\n

☐  What insects do you see in the air or on the water? Size and color?<\/p>\n

☐  Where are the current seams? Mark 2 spots where slow water meets fast water.<\/p>\n

☐  Where would you hide if you were a trout? Pick one spot and fish it first.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

END OF SESSION<\/p>\n

☐  What cast did you use the most? Did it work? Why or why not?<\/p>\n

☐  Did you get a strike? If so, what were you doing differently at that moment?<\/p>\n

☐  What was the hardest part of today - the cast, the read, the approach?<\/p>\n

☐  What would you do differently on this same water tomorrow?<\/p>\n

☐  What did you see in the water that surprised you?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

WEEKLY REFLECTION<\/p>\n

After each week, write one paragraph answering this question:<\/p>\n

“What is one thing you understand about fishing now that you didn’t understand before this week?”<\/p>\n

Write in your own words. Explain what you understand and why it matters - not just what you did.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Take these on the water. Download the full set as a print-ready PDF (one exercise per page), or print a single sheet below.<\/p>\nDownload the Practice Sheets (PDF)<\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

DRILL 1<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

The Rig-Race Drill<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

Kids arrive with tangled, unstrung rods. Make rigging a timed game - set up a rod from scratch - so it never eats your session again.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

THE 6-STEP SEQUENCE - POST IT<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Assemble the rod sections<\/strong> - line up the guides straight.<\/li>\n
  2. Double the fly line into a loop<\/strong> and feed the LOOP through the guides (easier than the thin end).<\/li>\n
  3. Attach the leader to the line<\/strong> - loop-to-loop (Double Surgeon’s Loop).<\/li>\n
  4. Add tippet to the leader<\/strong> with a Surgeon’s Knot.<\/li>\n
  5. Tie on the fly<\/strong> with a Davy Knot (or Improved Clinch). Wet it.<\/li>\n
  6. Hook the fly to the keeper,<\/strong> reel up the slack - ready to fish.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    RUN IT AS A RACE<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    AGE GROUP<\/th>\nTHE CHALLENGE<\/th>\nWIN CONDITION<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Ages 6-10<\/td>\nSteps 1-2 only, no timer<\/td>\nGuides lined up, line through all of them<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Ages 11-13<\/td>\nFull 6-step sequence<\/td>\nBeat 5 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Ages 14-17<\/td>\nFull sequence under 3 minutes<\/td>\nEvery knot passes a tug-test<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Print This Sheet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    CARD 2<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Knot Mastery Card<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Joe’s knot philosophy: teach a small set, drilled until automatic. Track each of the five core knots here.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    KNOT<\/th>\nWHAT IT’S FOR<\/th>\nTIED 3X UNASSISTED (INITIAL + DATE)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Davy Knot<\/td>\nFly to tippet (beginner’s go-to)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Double Surgeon’s<\/td>\nAdd tippet (join two lines)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Improved Clinch<\/td>\nFly to tippet (classic standard)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Perfection Loop<\/td>\nLoop at the leader butt<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Blood Knot<\/td>\nJoin two same-diameter lines<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Initial each box when the angler ties the knot correctly three times in a row, unassisted<\/strong>. Five knots = the Knot Tier badge<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Print This Sheet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    SCORECARD 3<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Casting Scorecard - Stop-High Target Lanes<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Track piles versus clean casts. Stop the rod HIGH and let the yarn land softly - control before distance.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Ten casts at hoop or paper-plate lanes (15-25 ft) with a yarn fly. Score each cast: In-lane = 2<\/strong>  ·  Close = 1<\/strong>  ·  Pile \/ tailing loop = 0<\/strong>. Track three rounds to see progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    CAST #<\/th>\nROUND 1<\/th>\nROUND 2<\/th>\nROUND 3<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    1<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    3<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    4<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    5<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    6<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    7<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    8<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    9<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    10<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
    \n

    COACHING THE SCORE - DON’T JUST COUNT<\/p>\n

    Piles (0):<\/strong> stroke too long - shorten it, stop higher.<\/p>\n

    Tailing loop:<\/strong> punching too hard - smooth ‘squeeze,’ don’t throw.<\/p>\n

    Consistent 2s:<\/strong> add the ‘TUCK!’ call and a little weight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Print This Sheet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    SCORECARD 4<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    The Four-Elements Drift Scorecard<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Joe’s scoreboard, and the heart of self-coaching. After one drift through a seam, rate each element 1-5 and name ONE thing to fix on the next drift. A kid who scores well on drift, depth and stealth is fishing correctly - the fish will come.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    ELEMENT<\/th>\nWHAT ‘GOOD’ LOOKS LIKE<\/th>\nSCORE 1-5<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Depth<\/td>\nFly ticked the bottom \/ got down fast<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Drift<\/td>\nNo drag - fly moved at the speed of the bubbles<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Line control<\/td>\nRod tip up, slack managed, in contact<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Imitation<\/td>\nFly matched what’s under the rocks<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    One thing I’ll fix on my next drift:<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

    \n<\/div><\/div>

    BONUS: THE ‘GREAT DAY’ SCORECARD - WIN WITHOUT A FISH<\/p>\n

    The #1 morale fix. Points for doing it right - a perfect process day is 20 points, fish or no fish<\/strong>. Celebrate high scorers, not just whoever got lucky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    EARN POINTS FOR…<\/th>\nPOINTS<\/th>\nGOT IT?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Found 3 seams and named the feeding side<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Approached low - kept my shadow off the water<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Made 5 clean stop-high casts<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Got my fly to the bottom on a drift<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Tied my own knot on the water<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Kept a fish wet OR helped a buddy<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Took the ‘Look Up’ moment<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Print This Sheet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    FIELD SHEET 6<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Bug-Hunt Field Sheet<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Flip a rock in the riffle. Draw or tally what you find, then pick a fly to match. The daily question: “What’s on the menu today?”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    BUG I FOUND<\/th>\nCLUE (TAILS? CASE? SIZE?)<\/th>\nHOW MANY<\/th>\nFLY TO MATCH<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Mayfly nymph<\/td>\n3 tails, gills on belly<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Caddis larva<\/td>\nWorm in a stick \/ pebble case<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Stonefly nymph<\/td>\n2 tails, 2 claws, crawler<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Scud \/ cress bug<\/td>\nTiny gray-orange ‘shrimp’<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Midge<\/td>\nTiny thread-like wriggler<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Something else!<\/td>\nDraw it →<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Print This Sheet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    CHALLENGES 7<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Take-Home Challenges<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

    The at-home practice sheet for families - 5-minute daily practice that keeps skills alive between sessions and pulls parents in.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    SET UP A 5-MINUTE BACKYARD RANGE<\/p>\n

    Tie a 1-2 ft piece of bright yarn to the end of an old leader (no hook). Set out 3 paper plates or hula hoops at 15, 20, and 25 feet<\/strong>. That’s it - five minutes a day keeps the cast sharp.<\/p>\n

    THIS WEEK’S HOME REPS<\/p>\n

    ☐  20 short-stroke casts - stop the rod HIGH, let the yarn land softly (don’t throw it).<\/p>\n

    ☐  Tie a Davy Knot 5 times. Then tie it once with your eyes closed.<\/p>\n

    ☐  Practice the Double Surgeon’s Knot joining two pieces of string.<\/p>\n

    ☐  Watch water anywhere - a creek, a gutter in the rain - and find the seam where fast meets slow.<\/p>\n

    ☐  Do one ‘Look Up’ outside: stop, look around, name one thing you notice.<\/p>\n

    PRACTICE LOG<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    DAY<\/th>\nCASTS IN THE HOOP (\/10)<\/th>\nKNOTS TIED<\/th>\n‘LOOK UP’ ✓<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Mon<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Tue<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Wed<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Thu<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Fri<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Sat<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Sun<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
    \n

    Parents:<\/strong> you don’t need to fish to help. Just hold the hoop, count the hits, and ask “which knot did you practice?” Five minutes of attention beats an hour of equipment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Print This Sheet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    LADDER 8  ·  EARN THEM IN ANY ORDER<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    The Stream School Badge Ladder<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Climb from your first knot to independent fishing. Each rung is a badge a Harvey Leader signs off - proof of skill, not luck.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    \n
    \n
    \n

    RUNG 4<\/p>\n

    Independent Fisher<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Plan and fish a complete drift unassisted - adjust weight, read the seam, manage the line - then teach one skill to a peer at the capstone teach-back.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n

    RUNG 3<\/p>\n

    Water Reader<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Find 3 seams on real water and call the feeding side correctly. (Stream-Reading Tier)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n

    RUNG 2<\/p>\n

    Casting Master<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Score 14+\/20 on the casting scorecard - clean stop-high casts, no piles. (Cast Tier)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n

    RUNG 1<\/p>\n

    Knot Tier<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Tie all 5 core knots unassisted, 3 times each, signed off on the Knot Mastery Card.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n

    ALONG THE WAY<\/p>\n

    Earn the Bug Tier<\/strong> (ID 4 of the 5 core bugs and match a fly) and the Steward Tier<\/strong> (demonstrate keep-fish-wet + Clean\/Drain\/Dry). All five badges = Stream School Angler<\/strong> - certificate presented at the capstone teach-back, where the angler teaches one skill to a peer. Passing it on is the most Joe Humphreys thing a kid can do. Harvey Leaders sign off every badge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Print This Sheet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    INTERACTIVE PRACTICE<\/p>\n

    Score Yourself, Beat the Clock<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>

    The Rig-Race Timer<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Timed Drill<\/p>

    The Rig-Race<\/h3>

    Set up a rod from scratch, fast and clean. Hit Start, work the six steps, tap Next step as you finish each one. Beat the clock for your age group - then beat your own best time.<\/p><\/div>

    0:00.0<\/span>Step 0<\/span> of 6<\/span><\/div>