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Big Weekend at Fort Rob

A couple fishes at Grabel Ponds at Fort Robinson State Park during fall with Red Cloud Buttes in the distance.
A couple fishes at Grabel Ponds at Fort Robinson State Park with Red Cloud Buttes in the distance. Photo by Justin Haag, Nebraskaland Magazine

By Daryl Bauer

Big doings for anglers are happening at Fort Robinson this weekend. If you can, come out and have fun with us!


Fishing events planned at Fort Robinson State Park

By Justin Haag, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Fishing will be the focus of a weekend of events at Fort Robinson State Park this month.

The activities Sept. 28-29 include a fly-fishing and fly-tying workshop, youth fishing instructor training and a community fishing event.

“Fort Robinson has been called Nebraska’s Fishing State Park, so these events should be a great fit,” said Larry Pape, Nebraska Game and Parks’ fisheries education specialist. “Fishing is a fun, convenient activity that can provide quality time for everyone, and we expect this to be a fun weekend for all who attend.”

Appropriate fishing and park entry permits are required, and all fishing regulations apply.

Fly-fishing and Tying Seminar, Sept. 28

The Cornhusker Fly Fishers will lead a program to teach people to tie flies for fishing and use them. Attendees will gather at the Buffalo Soldiers Barracks from 9 a.m. to noon to tie flies. After casting instructions at 1 p.m., the group will move to Grable Ponds for an afternoon of fishing.

The event is limited to the first 25 registrants and a $25 fee will help cover costs. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Registration information may be found at the “calendar” link of OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Youth Fishing Instructor Certification, Sept. 29

Game and Parks will certify youth fishing instructors 9 a.m.-noon at the Buffalo Soldiers Barracks.

Instructors are part of the Youth Fishing Program, a statewide team of volunteers and Game and Parks staff who host educational fishing events to inspire the next generation of anglers.

Participants will receive training and tools to conduct youth fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Game and Parks’ loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events. They also will receive program incentives. Instructors are encouraged to volunteer for such Game and Parks programs as Community Fishing Nights and the Outdoor Expos.

The event is free and open to the public, but participants must register at the “calendar” link of OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Community Fishing Event, Sept. 29

The public is invited to fish at Grable Ponds from 3-6 p.m. Game and Parks’ Community Fishing Events provide opportunities for people of all ages who have never fished or have not fished in years to learn and enjoy the activity. Rods and reels, as well as bait and fishing instruction, will be available for free as one of the state’s Community Fishing Events Trailers will be on-site.

The event also will highlight the improvements to Grable Ponds and other projects in the region. It is free and open to the public. No registration is required.