Conservation

This news release went out late last week.  Time to spread the word some more: Public urged to Clean, Drain, Dry after zebra mussels found in private lake Invasive zebra mussels recently were found in Beaver Lake, a private water body near Plattsmouth in eastern Nebraska. An adult mussel was first found on a boat lift in mid-May. Follow-up sampling by Nebraska Game and Parks Aquatic Invasive Species Program confirmed the presence of microscopic young zebra mussels and adults in …

I hesitate to post a blog with fly-fishing tips or advice.  Believe me, I am far from being any kind of fly-fishing expert.  I do however know a guy who guides fly anglers in Montana and have learned a thing or three from him.  He is my nephew.  From my time whipping fly rods in the air and drying off a few, I know this is true.  Write it in stone: Oh, by the way, some of you quit reading …

I see the date on this is NOW.  Better spread the word. . . . Grove Trout Rearing Station to close temporarily for maintenance The Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal in Antelope County will close to visitors June 20-21 for maintenance and inspection of the diversion pond. “While the maintenance takes place, staff will be using heavy equipment, and public safety is taken into consideration for this closure,” Fish Production Manager Joe Cassidy said. “Recreationists and anglers may experience …

It is Friday.  Another weekend is upon us.  For many of us, that means at least a little time on the water!  We need it!  We have earned it! You know I have a ton of fish pictures.  I keep taking them, but I love seeing fish pictures from others too.  I never get tired of them. Saved a quote from a wise fishing friend about all those fish pictures, those “hero shots”: The “Hero Shot” pose is a standard …

Pollinator Week is June 19-25 By Alie Mayes, Community Science Specialist Most of us know the basics of what a pollinator is: an animal that moves pollen within a flower, or between flowers, in a way that aids in plant reproduction. We also understand that pollinators are vital to the health of ecosystems, and they provide invaluable services to humans, including pollination of many of the fruits and vegetables we eat. It seems fitting, then, that once a year we …

Some of you are going to wonder about me when you read this blog post.  A few more of you will dismiss it because you will think it has nothing to do with fishing.  It does, I promise.  Dare you to keep reading. . . Recently, I spent some time with my daughter and son-in-law watching birds or “birding”.  Oh sure we did it with some chuckles and jokes along the way, but honestly we had a lot of fun.  …

I realize that we are past Memorial Day and way past the “start” of boating and fishing season.  You may have seen these reminders before, but if they are reminders, is there ever a bad time to be reminded?  Or, to be reminded again? Many of you while you are fishing will be in a boat.  So. . . . Boat safe with these 10 safety tips Follow these 10 tips reduce the risk of incidents and help ensure a …

A week ago I blogged that nobody catches fish all the time, Fishing not Catching.  Good anglers know there is much to learn, even on those trips when no fish are caught.  Maybe especially on those trips? For many of us it is a life-long learning process.  I smile at this internet thingy.  Folks ask a question or three on the interwebs and think they know everything they need to about catching fish.  Sure, you can learn a lot from …

If you have read my blog for a while, you know that I get side-tracked from fishing every year when the turkeys are gobbling.  Spring is a great time in Nebraska’s outdoors except for one thing:  There is so much to do and so little time!  Once I finally satisfy my spring turkey addiction for a while, I wander around picking mushrooms: I did not have a good mushroom year.  I think it has been too dry. Then, as I …

By Alie Mayes, Community Science Specialist Lady beetles, also known as ladybird beetles or ladybugs, are common and widely recognized insects. They are marketed in popular culture as charismatic and “cute,” featured on a variety of children’s clothing, toys and even TV shows. But what do we really know about lady beetles in Nebraska? Life History Lady beetles belong to the beetle family Coccinellidae. They are commonly thought of as red with back spots, though different species have varying colors. …