How To

It is mid-summer, it is hot, and that means primetime for bluegreen algae blooms.  There is a lot of hysteria and misunderstanding about our waters and algae blooms.  I originally wrote this blog over ten years ago.  Let me dust it off, update some things and hopefully clear up some misconceptions. . . . Bluegreen algae have become a phobia for some folks.  If you are one of those, you better sit down because there is not a body of …

I watched closely as the guy excitedly reeled in the fish he had hooked from a local sandpit lake in eastern Nebraska. Upon landing it, I heard him dismally say: “Oh man, it’s a damn drum, that’s a trash fish, I gotta throw this back.” At this point, I walked over to the man and casually said: “Hey, that’s a nice freshwater drum you’ve caught. Did you know those are good eating if you prepare them right?” “Are you kidding …

Heading out the door for the 4th of July holiday.  I do not know about you and yours, but this is one of our favorite holidays!  Pretty much every year we celebrate our freedom with “pomp and parade, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations”.  Just like ole John said we should! I promise, I will try to find some time to get on the water too! Hope you have a great holiday.  Be careful, but remember, “It’s not …

Part 3 of 3 Have you ever been frustrated because some parts of a photo are way too bright while others are so dark you can’t see any details? Why does the image on the screen of your phone or camera look so much less vibrant and impressive than the gorgeous sunset in front of you? Simply put, your camera doesn’t see the world the way you do. The first two parts of this series covered the more mechanical aspects …

Going to share an article for this blog post.  I have mentioned Gord Pyzer before, retired Canadian fisheries biologist, and great stick.  So yes, this article was written a little over a year ago, and this guy fishes mostly in Canada.  But, he is right on with these ten mistakes!  Read this.  I am betting there is something there that will make you a better angler! The top 10 fishing mistakes—and how to avoid them!

Hunters, anglers and trappers have been and continue to be the original conservationists!  How? By buying permits, hunting and fishing gear! Thank you for your support.  Our resources thank you. While you are at it, you better pick up a couple more crankbaits in at least a couple more colors! Fishing is worth any amount of effort and any amount of expense to people who live it, because in the end you get such a large number of dreams per …

I cleaned some “stuff” off the dresser at home.  Found some newspaper clippings I wanted to keep.  While I was filing them away at the office these old clippings fell out: Those would be my maternal grandparents.  The clippings were from the Atkinson Graphic.  I love looking back at those old pictures; love remembering times spent fishing with my grandparents.  I am betting I know the exact farm pond Gramps caught the bass from.  Wonder if he caught it on …

We are quickly advancing towards July.  Natural prey is going to be peaking in Nebraska waters in the next few weeks, and the bite is naturally going to slow.  Happens every summer. In spite of that, I have heard some great reports from a lot of Nebraska reservoirs.  There is still time to get in on it. I have stated before that probably more walleyes have been caught from Nebraska reservoirs on bottom bouncers and spinner rigs than all other …

I will tell you that the days of building big reservoirs are likely long past.  However, some relatively small reservoirs will continue to be built in Nebraska.  Most of them built by Natural Resource Districts (NRDs).  In most cases these projects are in urban areas to provide flood control and perhaps some recreation.  Fortunately, we, the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission Fisheries Division often are involved in the design and construction of these reservoirs.  Our assistance is provided for water …

It bothers me to no end that people have such cavalier excuses regarding why they don’t want to wear life jackets on the water in a boat. In my 44 years at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, I have seen my share of boating tragedies. I have seen the victims of boating fatalities who were not wearing their life jackets. You never, ever forget them. Often the victims died right in front of close family members and good friends …