Barbs and Backlashes

If you do not ice-fish, I pity you.  Really I do. Another cold front blew through last night, temperatures are back in the teens today and folks are grumbling about it.  Many times this week I have listened to people longing for spring, warmer weather, anxious to get a boat back in the water.  Looking at the calendar, it is mid-February.  I hate to tell you, but we live in Nebraska and there may be a lot of winter ahead …

I am a fisheries biologist by training, and well, it could be said that many of us look at the world in a warped way.  For example, today is “Valentine’s Day”, the day to celebrate love.  But, why is Valentine’s Day in February?????  What makes the middle of February more “lovey”?  Or, would it be “lovely”?  “Loveful”?  “Loving”?  Whatever? Anyway, I have postulated that the only logic in having Valentine’s Day in February is that it is in the middle …

I am thrilled to say that we still have ice and it looks like we are going to be ice-fishing for at least a little while yet.  I have drilled up to 16 inches of ice in the past few days.  Whoot, whoot!  As a matter of fact, the conditions I fished in this past weekend were as “raw” as any I have fished all season.  That reminded me of a subject I have not mentioned yet this ice season–the …

Started a new workout the other day. . . . https://www.facebook.com/pescadoresdeplantaooficial/videos/1750834808270238/ For some reason I keep getting funny looks from people.  But, I have to admit I am not getting as many from the ladies in Yoga pants as I was when I started.  You would think they never saw a guy in chest waders before! GO FISH! And, Big fish matter. EDITOR’S NOTE:  The video ain’t actually me, but it has been making the rounds on the inter-webs lately.  …

I have been blessed to have opportunities to fish with some really good anglers.  Had another couple days on the ice deep in the Nebraska sandhills doing that again this winter. It all started when a buddy let me know he had a legendary ice angler coming down to spend some time chasing big Nebraska bluegills.  He invited me to come out and fish with them.  It took some shuffling of my schedule, but I jumped at the chance.  Who …

I am always touting the diversity of fishing opportunities Nebraska has to offer; I believe that is one of the unique things we do offer anglers in the state.  That certainly includes cold-water fisheries that are capable of supporting trout year-round.  No, I am not talking about the urban and parks waters where we stock put & take trout in the fall, winter and early spring, I am talking about some of the prettiest places in the state where we …

Unless you live under some kind of big rock, you know that this weekend is the “super bowl”.  This year Minneapolis is hosting this great American event.   In conjunction with the big game, Rapala and a Minneapolis TV station are hosting a promotional event like you have never seen before! https://www.facebook.com/CBSMinnesota/videos/10156254630003825/ If you want to read more about it, here is the press release, NR.WCCO and Rapala Minnecentric Experience_012618. It sounds like a hoot, but I am wondering if somewhere there …

I did not get a blog post up today; not because I have nothing to blog about, believe me I have plenty, but because we did another FaceBook Live today–on the ice!  Those of you who might be new to the ice fishing game may be interested in watching: https://www.facebook.com/NEGameandParks/videos/10155235942003513/ We have some videos that cover a bunch of ice-fishing basics here too, How To Fish, Ice Fishing. With the forecast, it looks like we are going to be on …

It is that time of year again, banquet, sportshow, and workshop season.  I am actually as busy, if not more busy, at this time of year than any other.  Planning to be in Maxwell this coming weekend! Here are some more details: For the latest updates be sure to check out the Maxwell Outdoor Expo and Wild Game Feed FaceBook page. Stop by, say “Hi”, tell me a fish story, show me your fish pictures, take a look at mine!

Some of us hard-core ice anglers refer to “ice trolling” when we talk about drilling lots of holes and keep drilling them until we find fish.  I am a big believer in “ice trolling”. Looks like I am going to have to step up my game! Yes, sometimes ice-fisherman spend a long time between bites. Have a great weekend everyone, make sure the ice is safe, and GO FISH!