Nebraskaland Magazine
Just for the record, this weather stinks!!!! I have not had nearly enough ice-fishing this season! WARNING: DO NOT stroll up to me and start a conversation by stating how nice the weather is right now. Growling and Grumbling will be forthcoming. If you are the “blue bird of happiness” because of this February warm spell, just keep right on flying past me.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming. . . .
I highly doubt that there will be any safe ice anywhere in the state this weekend, maybe some in northeast Nebraska, but even there I am doubting it. So, it appears our ice-fishing season is over. It was too short. We need ice well into March! I have several blog ideas for the next week or two, but I will try to fit in a little summary of my and my partners ice season here in the coming days. Stay tuned, there will be at least one fish picture you will want to see (wink, wink).
I am already hearing some reports of fish caught from open water and I am sure there are going to be a lot of folks just itching to get out. Early spring fishing strategies are going to be in order–target cold-water and perhaps cool-water fish, maybe some ice-out channel cats, THINK WARM. Anyplace where the water may warm a couple of degrees on a sunny afternoon may be your best spot to fish.
I will be fishing early spring, open water soon myself, but I believe this is one of the toughest times of the year to catch fish. Everyone gets the fever to rush out and wet a line on a warm afternoon, but the water is still very cold. In addition, early spring weather is schizophrenic and we will have wild swings between winter and spring for several weeks to come. Every one of those cool-downs will make the fishing very challenging and for some species just about impossible. Those are all reasons I would rather sit on a bucket on the ice as late into spring as possible–it is A LOT easier to catch fish through a hole in the ice under those conditions.
But, as I have said before, one thing you must learn as an angler, hunter, trapper is to be adaptable, versatile. We will be!
Fly-Tying Seminar
I just caught a short news release on this yesterday, I know this is short notice, but if you can, you should check this out:
Beginning Fly Tying Seminar
NORTH PLATTE — The Big Mac Fly Club will be hosting a beginning fly tying seminar for individuals wanting to learn the basics of fly tying.
The seminar will be held on Saturday February 20, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MT at the Lake McConaughy Visitors Center and Water Interpretive Center located south of Kingsley Dam on Hwy 61.
This event is free of charge but will be limited to the first 25 participants. Lunch will be provided by the Fly Club.
Featured at the seminar will be Sue Armstrong, a nationally recognized fly tier.
Please contact the Visitors Center at 308-284-8800 to make a reservation. If you have your own tools please bring them, if not, the club will provide tools and materials for use.
I am not a huge fly-fisher, but I do fly-fish. I have dabbled with fly-tying since I was a kid. Looking back, I marvel at the primitive tools and materials I used back then, but that was all I had. Even though I have some better tools and materials now, I am still a fly-tying Neanderthal! Sue Armstrong is one of the best, most-accomplished, fly-tying artists in the world. Her work is unbelievable. If you have any interest at all, you should attend that seminar at the Lake McConaughy Visitor’s Center tomorrow! I wish I could make it!
