How To

Today, I am going to return to a familiar topic–catch and release or more specifically selective harvest.  Some of you will ignore me, I know you will.  That’s fine, just know there is science behind it! Do not take my word for it.  Instead, this time, take the word of retired Canadian fisheries biologist, Gord Pyzer.  He knows his stuff! https://www.outdoorcanada.ca/this-science-proves-that-keeping-small-fish-while-releasing-the-big-ones-improves-the-fishery/?fbclid=IwAR0Hne0rvM-GSCgbvlG9EArU4J0xtgdpAGSW7KZvGzDy0244tNM16KxnRds I hear complaints all the time about certain anglers “keeping fish that are too small”.  You know what?  That …

This year there are more tick bites being reported than in previous years. To prevent tick bites, be proactive and know how to help prevent them. Ticks will hide on a blade of grass or other plants waiting for a potential host to walk by – reaching out with its legs the tick catches a ride on an unsuspecting host; this behavior called “questing” will catch many people off guard during the tick season. People enjoying outdoor activities such as …

Trying to think of something to blog about today when I was asked a familiar question, “What are these black specks on my fish?” There are a variety of fish parasites that are present in our waters.  They are there all the time and nothing can be done about that.  From time to time, those parasites will be obvious on or in the fish. Of course the first concern is usually if those fish are safe to eat? There are …

A few weeks ago I suggested there were a lot of really good reasons to take someone hunting or fishing, Take ‘Em.  Our Take ‘Em Hunting and Take ‘Em Fishing promotions offer prizes for those who take someone new hunting or fishing.  Prizes are a good reason. But it is a lot more than that. That was the point of my Take ‘Em blog. A few days after posting that blog, I was reminded of some other good reasons to …

Was good to get out of the office the end of last week and help with the 2021 High School Bass Championships.  The tournament location was Red Willow Reservoir.  Many of you know that water levels at Red Willow were minimum pool for several years while dam repairs were completed.  Since then, the water has returned within 10 feet of full pool.  As water levels have risen it has flooded a bunch of terrestrial vegetation.  Fish populations are thriving in …

Making sure the “word” gets spread on this, again: Game and Parks urges boaters to Clean, Drain and Dry to stop invasive species LINCOLN, Neb. – While many Nebraska boaters are eager to enjoy a summer day on the lake, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges them to be wary of a nasty hitchhiker: the zebra mussel. Over the Memorial Day weekend, Game and Parks watercraft inspectors found two boats with zebra mussels attached attempting to launch. Each boat …

I continue to be called bad names for wearing them. Most recently, I was called a “super wimp” for having them on my hands. I have been labeled an “inadequate angler” since I have donned on them. I have been told that my “bravado” and “edge” have been lost when it comes to fishing because I am handling fish while wearing rubber gloves. Ah yes, THOSE GLOVES. People have also had their curiosity piqued by those of us who wear rubber …

The last day I walk off the ice every winter is a bad day.  I hate that day.  Oh sure, I am on the water or in the field somewhere in Nebraska twelve months of the year, but I really love ice-fishing. So I kind of ease into spring.  You know what it is like in early spring. . . well, more like winter many days.  Sure, we will get a day or two of beautiful, warm, sunny weather, but …

Going to blog about something that comes up every year about this time.  I have had a few phone calls and messages about it already. . . . Every year about this time we get reports of dead crappies or dead bluegills on a variety of waters.  It is understandable that folks are concerned when they see dead fish.  Of course assumptions are always the worst, that there has been some pollution event or there is something “bad” in the …

Park 2 of 3 Have you ever wondered why the photos you take at dusk turn out grainy or blurry? Why is it that only the left ear of your deer photo is sharp and the rest of the scene is out of focus? Simply put, your camera doesn’t see the world like you do. The first installment of this series, released in the May 2021 edition, covered mainly field of view and focus, but also mentioned depth of field. …