How To

One of the most amazing experiences in the hunting lifestyle is taking a new hunter to the field repetitively. I have mentored new hunters for some time and encourage any of you who hunt to join our cadre. Coaching apprentice hunters should start with our own family or friend networks, however, be on the lookout for aspiring hunters in all sorts of unexpected places. It is now vital to reach out to new and different audiences who are eager to …

Just want to mention a couple of friendly reminders in my blog today.  I hear a lot of things from a lot of anglers, and it seems there are always a lot of misconceptions and misinformation. . . . Total Length There are a lot of ways to measure fish.  With length limits you WILL need to measure at least some of them.  Pointy-headed fisheries biologists measure what we call total length.  The total length of a fish is measured …

I have had several blogs about Nebraska mustelids (members of the weasel family).  Badgers and skunks have provided some entertaining encounters, and I often share a shoreline with a semi-aquatic mink while I am fishing.  Mink were one of my Gramps Roth’s favorite catches on his trap line, and they have been for me too. There is another semi-aquatic mustelid that I am still waiting to run into–otters. On a couple of occasions at Calamus Reservoir, I believe I saw …

I suppose I better explain the reference in the title of this blog, some of you ain’t old enough to get it. Back in 1992, you know, last century, there was a movie called A River Runs Through It.  It was about fly-fishing. Actually, it was about a lot more than that.  If you really want to know, check out the old Siskel and Ebert Review. My review is shorter:  It was about the adventures of two Maclean brothers growing …

By all accounts, this whole coronavirus thing has done is put more people on the water.  There is no doubt we have more folks fishing this year.  That is a good thing, and you know I have touted that time spent fishing is good for health, good for the soul.  You can grab a rod, get outside, socially distance, and get away from all the lunacy.  A lot of families that had their summer sports seasons canceled have discovered they …

It was just earlier this year that I learned that Big Foot’s name was Daryl! Good name. Now, I find out he also plays the sax! If that does not mellow you for the weekend, he has a whole YouTube channel, Saxsquatch! And, be sure to check out his website for all the CD’s, even old records and of course T-shirts! Many of you know that Sasquatch (and a variety of other wild creatures) guard some of my best fishing …

I have not provided the usual state record updates this year.  There was a slow start to the year with little to report.  Then, June rolled around and there were three, big, state record fish caught in back-to-back-to-back weeks.  I blogged almost immediately about them because they were so notable .  Let me get back on track by giving a full run-down here.  Might as well start from the beginning, way back in February. . . . Silver Carp Hayden …

Back in March I blogged about the Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation project at Ft. Robinson.  Yes, we have a number of fishing waters on and near Ft. Robinson and we are in the midst of a major rehabilitation project on those waters.  I had some photos of the project near completion back in March, have some even better ones since completion now.  There was also a news release a few weeks ago that I want to dust off and share again …

Got another update I want to highlight; this time I will get it out before the weekend! This will not affect a lot of anglers, but it will some: Red Willow’s Willow View boat ramp closed due to damage LINCOLN, Neb. – The damaged Willow View boat ramp at Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area is expected to be closed for the remainder of the year. A concrete extension to the ramp sloughed away over time, creating a hazard for …

A No-nonsense Approach to Scent Control Besides Nebraska farmers, no group in the state frets over the weather more than deer hunters. They study barometric pressure, moon phase, temperature and daylight hours, trying to figure out when deer will move and where. Of all these factors, they pay the most attention to the wind, and for good reason. While we experience the world through our eyes, deer live in a world of smell, and the wind is what delivers that …