Fishing

I see the date on this is NOW.  Better spread the word. . . . Grove Trout Rearing Station to close temporarily for maintenance The Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal in Antelope County will close to visitors June 20-21 for maintenance and inspection of the diversion pond. “While the maintenance takes place, staff will be using heavy equipment, and public safety is taken into consideration for this closure,” Fish Production Manager Joe Cassidy said. “Recreationists and anglers may experience …

It is Friday.  Another weekend is upon us.  For many of us, that means at least a little time on the water!  We need it!  We have earned it! You know I have a ton of fish pictures.  I keep taking them, but I love seeing fish pictures from others too.  I never get tired of them. Saved a quote from a wise fishing friend about all those fish pictures, those “hero shots”: The “Hero Shot” pose is a standard …

Some of you are going to wonder about me when you read this blog post.  A few more of you will dismiss it because you will think it has nothing to do with fishing.  It does, I promise.  Dare you to keep reading. . . Recently, I spent some time with my daughter and son-in-law watching birds or “birding”.  Oh sure we did it with some chuckles and jokes along the way, but honestly we had a lot of fun.  …

I realize that we are past Memorial Day and way past the “start” of boating and fishing season.  You may have seen these reminders before, but if they are reminders, is there ever a bad time to be reminded?  Or, to be reminded again? Many of you while you are fishing will be in a boat.  So. . . . Boat safe with these 10 safety tips Follow these 10 tips reduce the risk of incidents and help ensure a …

A week ago I blogged that nobody catches fish all the time, Fishing not Catching.  Good anglers know there is much to learn, even on those trips when no fish are caught.  Maybe especially on those trips? For many of us it is a life-long learning process.  I smile at this internet thingy.  Folks ask a question or three on the interwebs and think they know everything they need to about catching fish.  Sure, you can learn a lot from …

If you have read my blog for a while, you know that I get side-tracked from fishing every year when the turkeys are gobbling.  Spring is a great time in Nebraska’s outdoors except for one thing:  There is so much to do and so little time!  Once I finally satisfy my spring turkey addiction for a while, I wander around picking mushrooms: I did not have a good mushroom year.  I think it has been too dry. Then, as I …

Got a couple of news items which I want to spread: Summit Lake SRA event celebrates improvements Celebrate the completion of recent improvement projects at Summit Lake State Recreation Area near Tekamah on June 10. A ribbon cutting for a new playground will take place at 11 a.m. Enjoy archery, fishing and kayaking for free from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with provided equipment. A fish fry is scheduled at noon; meals are $12 for adults, $8 for age 12 …

Painting baits is rewarding, economical and fun. Story and photos by Justin Haag Many a fly angler knows the satisfaction of catching fish on a hand-tied masterpiece. For those more inclined to cast and retrieve for pike, bass and walleye, here is a way to emulate that remarkable experience: painting crankbaits. Quality crankbaits are some of the most expensive products to tie to the end of a line. At $5-20 each, losing one to a deep snag can put a …

In the past few weeks I have been so bold as to proclaim the fish are biting, everywhere.  I have heard tons of good reports and seen so many photos from so many waters, so many species.  Do not ask if the fish are biting just GO FISH!  Have also said that May and June are consistently the best months for open-water fishing every year.  We are right in the middle of that now. However, one of the things I …

I have not given a state record update since last year’s summary.  Right now I do not have a lot to update, but I never know when applications will come in.  If I wait for more, it could be months before I do an update.  So, might as well tell you about what I have. . . . Back in April, Chuck Hensel from Valentine was fishing Merritt Reservoir.  He caught a common carp that beat the old state record …