Barbs and Backlashes

By all accounts, this whole coronavirus thing has done is put more people on the water.  There is no doubt we have more folks fishing this year.  That is a good thing, and you know I have touted that time spent fishing is good for health, good for the soul.  You can grab a rod, get outside, socially distance, and get away from all the lunacy.  A lot of families that had their summer sports seasons canceled have discovered they …

It was just earlier this year that I learned that Big Foot’s name was Daryl! Good name. Now, I find out he also plays the sax! If that does not mellow you for the weekend, he has a whole YouTube channel, Saxsquatch! And, be sure to check out his website for all the CD’s, even old records and of course T-shirts! Many of you know that Sasquatch (and a variety of other wild creatures) guard some of my best fishing …

I have not provided the usual state record updates this year.  There was a slow start to the year with little to report.  Then, June rolled around and there were three, big, state record fish caught in back-to-back-to-back weeks.  I blogged almost immediately about them because they were so notable .  Let me get back on track by giving a full run-down here.  Might as well start from the beginning, way back in February. . . . Silver Carp Hayden …

Back in March I blogged about the Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation project at Ft. Robinson.  Yes, we have a number of fishing waters on and near Ft. Robinson and we are in the midst of a major rehabilitation project on those waters.  I had some photos of the project near completion back in March, have some even better ones since completion now.  There was also a news release a few weeks ago that I want to dust off and share again …

Got another update I want to highlight; this time I will get it out before the weekend! This will not affect a lot of anglers, but it will some: Red Willow’s Willow View boat ramp closed due to damage LINCOLN, Neb. – The damaged Willow View boat ramp at Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area is expected to be closed for the remainder of the year. A concrete extension to the ramp sloughed away over time, creating a hazard for …

I need to spread the word on this: Registration open for virtual Hunting, Fishing R3 Summit LINCOLN, Neb. — The 2020 Hunting and Fishing R3 Summit is going virtual this year, streaming live over Zoom from 10 a.m. to noon CST Aug. 5. Register at OutdoorNebraska.org/r3summit on or before Aug. 2 to receive the virtual meeting Zoom link via email. Those unable to attend will be able to watch a recording of the summit online at a later date. “We …

Yes, there have already been news releases on these, and no, I am not letting anyone know before the weekend.  But, I am betting there are still some who have not heard.  So. . . . Rock Creek Lake SRA, hatchery temporarily close after storm washes out road July 24, 2020 LINCOLN, Neb. — Rock Creek Lake State Recreation Area and Rock Creek Hatchery in Dundy County are closed until further notice after a Thursday night storm washed out access …

I have seen a lot of funny things happen at boat ramps.  The hotter, busier the boat ramp, the better it gets. Watched a fiberglass inboard/outboard get deposited about ten feet short of the water one time.  The crunching sound sent shivers up my back. Another time it was a husband and wife team, the greatest entertainment potential.  No matter what, they could not get the boat to come off the trailer.  Back it in deeper, rev the boat motor, …

Have not blogged about this for a while.  I usually “stir” a few folks when I do.  I grin maniacally when that happens; it means some have had to stop and think for a minute. It is mid-summer, it is hot, time to do it again. . . blog about catch & release and proper fish handling. Now, understand where I come from on this subject.  I AM ALWAYS GOING TO COME DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE FISH, THE …

Many of you know about the complete aquatic habitat rehabilitation project recently completed at Conestoga Reservoir.  If you have not had a chance to check it out, you need to.  As a matter of fact, a bunch of folks are catching fish there already, although none of the fish are very big yet. There was a ton of dirt work done at Conestoga.  We also built/installed a variety of angler access improvements and fish attractors.  I said you need to …