Barbs and Backlashes

I am fully aware of the calendar and what weekend is upon us.  I am also fully aware of the unusual circumstances and challenges that face us this year.  That said, I know a lot of folks are looking forward to this weekend and are looking forward to spending some time outdoors!  I hope you get a chance to do that.  Sorry, all I am going to do is remind you of the obvious: More specifically, most of you will …

This coming Memorial Day weekend, more walleyes will be caught from Nebraska reservoirs than will be caught most any other week of the year.  In fact, on some waters more walleyes will be caught this coming weekend than any other month.  We have years of angler survey data from several Nebraska reservoirs that demonstrate that is a fact. The walleye spawn is over.  The fish have scattered, and they are feeding.  Oh sure, some cold, bad weather might slow that …

Spreading the word on this: Digital archive features first 50 years of Nebraskaland magazine LINCOLN, Nebraska — The first 50 years of Nebraskaland magazine are now available free in digital form online after a three-year collaboration between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Digital Research in the Humanities. Readers can view, browse and search the editions between 1926 and 1976 at Nebraskaland.unl.edu. The years made available capture changes in the magazine from its …

Let me share with you another one of my son’s adventures.  So far this spring, his adventures have been more notable than mine. . . . I once sat down in a lawn chair on a lake shore, looked down between my feet, and there laid a perfect arrowhead!  All the arrowheads I have found have been found “accidentally”, usually while fishing.  Oh sure, I have intentionally looked for arrowheads, but, never found any doing that.  “Skunked”. I proclaim no …

I have long touted Nebraska as a land of diversity.  We truly are the place where “north” meets “south” and “east” meets “west”.  Our state has a diversity of geography, climate and habitats.  As a result, we also have a diversity of fish and wildlife. You know that big fish turn my crank, big fish of any species, but who doesn’t get fired up by fish that weigh double-digits?  Yes, I spend a lot of time pursuing those fish every …

Again I know some of you have seen this already, but I am going to spread it around, again.  If there is one thing I have learned in the past couple of months, it is that you cannot repeat “stuff” enough! We have a new lake map available, this one for Conestoga Reservoir. Look here for a bigger version:  Conestoga Map. You will recall that we did a complete Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation project at Conestoga.  That project took time, a …

I am always brain-storming blog ideas.  Sometimes I even write a few down before I forget them.  I was wondering what light-hearted thing to blog about today. . . but wait, Sunday is Mother’s Day! I am betting in the past few weeks you like me have spent some time reflecting on family and good times past.  You are anxious for more good times ahead too, more time with family, but remembering helps right now.  I know I have shared …

It is hard to write a blog about fishing jigs.  Jigs come in an infinite variety of sizes, shapes, styles, colors, bodies, etc., etc.  Likewise, jigs can be fished in a variety of ways for a variety of species of fish.  You can catch anything that swims on a jig.  Furthermore, if you learn to be a good jig-fisher, you will flat out be a good fisher.  Period.  Many of the best sticks I know are great jig fishers. So, …

Maybe I am running out of stuff to blog about.  Maybe I am just getting growly from all this coronoavirus stuff. . . . Judging from the activity I am seeing on our waters and the questions I am answering over and over and over again, we gotta bunch of folks fishing this spring that have not been fishing for a while, or maybe never before.  So, let me go back to the very basics and compile a bunch of …

From what I am hearing and seeing, Nebraskans are doing a pretty good job of this! And that is a great thing!  Just make sure you do it a rod’s length apart! Have I ever mentioned that I prefer longer rods? Have a great weekend.  Stay safe.