How To

Some of you will know the story I am about to tell.  It played out on the interwebs earlier this summer.  At the time, it was difficult to get all the information and understand what was really happening.  Things have settled now and we know more, so let me recount the incident. . . . Once upon a time, someone was walking the shores of Lake McConaughy and came upon some unidentified fish.  They looked like this (I can show …

As is often the case with my Monday blog posts, I am just trying to spread the word.  Here is the news release that recently went out: Main ramp area upgrades continue at Merritt SRA Declining water levels at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area near Valentine has provided the opportunity for additional upgrades to the main ramp area. The work will result in temporary closure of the ramp. Upgrades include extending the concrete boat ramp to accommodate safe low-water elevation …

I will flat out guarantee, when I get tired of all the “stuff”, the best thing to do is GO FISH.  I can tell you for a fact my blood pressure is lower when I am on the water.  However, I also realize there are times when you cannot “get away from it all” immediately.  When that is the case, you might as well dial-it up on your computer.  Take a break for mental well-being, pull up a video and …

You likely have heard about this story, it is all over and I suspect it is going to go even further. . . . I might as well put it in a blog post too. . . . A Nebraska angler, Andy Moore, was recently fishing up on the Missouri River in northeast Nebraska when he hooked into a fish.  It was a big fish, a really big fish.  It was an old fish, a really old fish.  Listen to …

From the looks of it, a lot of folks have forgotten about our Take ‘Em Fishing challenge this year.  I know school is starting and summer is coming to an end, but there is still time to find someone who has not been fishing, or has not fished for some time, and get ’em on the water! If you need more incentive, you can do that and be eligible to win prizes!  (HINT, HINT, wink, wink–with less participation this year, …

Story by Angie Kokes Photos by Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley Dove hunting offers generous bag limits and opportunities statewide. Although these birds can be hunted in almost every corner of the world, one of the most serene destinations to do so is in the Sandhills of Nebraska. If you can hear the melancholy tune of an old windmill creaking, you have found the ideal location to try your hand at bringing these tasty morsels out of the sky, while marveling in magnificent …

My buddy and co-blogger Greg Wagner posted a great blog on catch & release again last week.  I know a lot of people see his “stuff”, but I want to spread it around even more.  So, yes, again I am being lazy, Greg already did the work, all I am doing is suggesting you follow the link and READ IT! Release Big Catfish Unharmed Greg does a great job explaining why the release of fish, especially big fish is important.  …

Let me have a little fun with my fellow fly-fishers today: I have heard enough negativity for one week, so before you start sending me more hate mail. . . LIGHTEN UP! My philosophy has always been to “use the right tool for the job”.  There are some fishing situations when a fly rod is absolutely the best tool!  In that case, HAND ME THE FLY ROD!!!! But, they really are just bobbers. Ha. Have a great weekend, GO FISH, …

It has been a while since I have done a Trout Slam update; here it is: We have had 15 Trout Slams completed so far in 2022.  Fourteen different anglers have completed the Trout Slam this year; one angler has completed it twice this year.  Of the fourteen anglers that completed a Trout Slam in 2022, seven of them have completed at least one Trout Slam previously.  Four of those “repeats” completed their second Trout Slam (Kurt Seevers, Justin Bignell, …

I have a news release I want to share: Wagon Train SRA lake to be chemically renovated Aug. 10 Wagon Train State Recreation Area lake will be chemically renovated Aug. 10, weather depending, to remove the existing fish population. Activities at the rec area, about 2 miles east of Hickman, will be limited that day. The rotenone treatment is aimed at eliminating common carp, white perch and gizzard shad, which are detrimental to aquatic habitat and water quality. Because rotenone …