Fishing

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Each fall trout make a migration to city park ponds and state parks lakes across Nebraska. Some find their way from the Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal to Stanton Park Pond in Falls City. Others migrate to Riverside Park Pond near the zoo in Scottsbluff from Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery near Benkelman. By truck and trailer, more than 50,000 10-inch rainbow trout find new homes in 43 easy-to-fish locations around …

I do not do this often.  I blog regularly, no matter where I am, what I am doing.  But, I gotta tell you I may be off my schedule a bit here this coming week.  I will be traveling to a family celebration, a niece’s wedding.  Being out of the office, away from the computer, I likely will not post blogs as regularly as usual. Never fear, some time on the water will get worked in.  When I get back, I …

If you have spent anytime in the great out-of-doors, you should have a skunk story or three.  If you do not, well, you need to spend more time outdoors. I can think of several.  How to arrange them. . . ? Chapter 1, In the Beginning I have heard lots of skunk stories.  Can remember some doozies from my granddads.  Back in the day, skunk pelts were worth some money.  Gramps Roth would have said, “back when a dollar was …

In case you missed the memo.  This coming Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing Day. I know you are probably as tired as I am of politicians and bureaucrats telling you what to do, but the Governor proclaimed it! If you want to watch yesterday’s proclamation ceremony, GO HERE. There you go.  Do you need any more excuses to get outdoors to hunt or fish this weekend?  Better yet, how about seeing if you can combo-up, hunt and fish both!  …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. — A rainbow trout is as beautiful as its namesake, no matter where it appears. But come mid-October, this fish will be swimming in city park ponds and state park lakes across Nebraska. This is a rainbow anyone can easily catch. Here is how: Fishing gear and bait – Keep it simple! Simple rods and reels are best. Fancier ones work, but for young and old alike, the push-button spin-cast …

One of the frustrations of fish identification is that different fish are called a variety of common names.  Sometimes it depends on who you ask. That may not be a problem unless you are a pointy-headed fisheries biologist.  Then, calling the right fish by the right name is important.  That does not necessarily mean a person has to go around spouting scientific names, but we can be a little bit “anal” about using the right names for the right fish. …

Gotchya! Not what you thought it was going to be, was it?  Ha. Believe me, even when the temperatures were a hundred degrees a week or two ago, my phone was ringing with questions about fall trout stockings.  They are coming.  They happen in October, every year.  When we have a schedule, we will let everyone know.  “Stay tuned”. Oh, and by the way, there are plenty of fish to catch NOW.  Don’t need no stinkin’ stocking truck. If you …

It was a lesson learned.  Unfortunately, like many things in life, it was learned the hard way. It was a beautiful fall evening.  From what I could see, it looked like there should be a fish or two up feeding.  I bounced my crankbait off a rock, paused for just a split second, and felt the “thump” on my line, that “thump” that I live for.  I set the hooks into a really nice fish.  As I fought it, right …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Keep your catch of fish as fresh as possible and you will be rewarded with a wonderful meal that is the finale to a fishing trip. In mid-October, trout will be stocked across Nebraska in small city park ponds and state park lakes. These pan-sized fish offer a person the delicious main course of a meal. From the lake to the table, every step is critical in making the best of what …

Just a couple of news items I want to include in the ole blog today.  Yes, I know these are going to be of limited interest, but there are a few anglers who will want to know.  That is why I do it! After last year’s flooding, I noted that a number of pits on our lower Platte River State Recreation areas were going to need renovations.  That process is going to take some time, not all of those fisheries …