I have been lamenting the fact that our ice fishing season is late coming this year.  Good news is things are looking better! Of course you know that means everyone else will be complaining about the cold weather.  It is January, it is supposed to be cold! I am really pumped this year.  Got a bigger auger! Yes, I did need it! Hope you get on the ice soon.  Just make sure it is safe! And hope you need a …

A few weeks ago I gave a little rundown on the fish caught during my several months of fall fishing (On the Water, Fall 2023).  Not knowing what our Nebraska weather might be, I have hinted since then that my open-water fishing for the year may not be done.  Oh, you know I would much rather be on the ice by sometime in December, but if life gives you lemons. . . . I kept fishing open-water in December.  In …

Quick blog post today.  Just want to point out that the 2024 Fishing Guide can be seen online. Yes, there was a news release that went out at the end of December about fishing regulation changes for 2024 (Be Aware of Fishing Regulation Changes for 2024).  That news release ONLY highlighted changes for the coming year.  That has caused some confusion.  If you look up the complete rules and regulations in the Fishing Guide, those changes should make sense. The …

A week ago I posted a somewhat traditional New Year’s blog (Happy New Year, 2024).  You know, I included the customary, happy new year, make some resolutions, blah, blah, blah. Actually, many of you know, my new year starts each year the first time I walk on the ice, drill some holes and pull some fish through those holes!  Admittedly, that can be a bit of a moving target.  “New Year” came at around the Thanksgiving holiday last year.  Most …

(EDITORS NOTE:  I am hearing a few whispers about folks starting to venture on the ice, in Nebraska.  For most of us, we are NOT there yet, but hopefully we are getting close enough for me to do my annual reminder about ice safety.  Do not need to re-write that post, am simply going to dust off a previous one and run it again. . . . ) Believe it or not, I know there have been some folks on …

Friday blog post right ahead of a holiday weekend again this weekend.  Going to keep it short and light-hearted. Have never been a big observer of New Year’s resolutions.  I always figured that if you needed to do something the old Nike motto was appropriate:  “Just Do It”.  No sense in making resolutions or promises that you might or might not keep. However, the end of a year and beginning of a new one is a natural time of reflection.  …

Going to return to the subject of hybrid fish again today.  I already have blogged about several hybrids of the sunfish family, Lepomid sunfishes, and crappies.  Going to move on to another family of fish, the perch family, and a common hybrid. There is no doubt that walleye are one of the most popular sportfish in this part of the country.  Surveys of Nebraska anglers have consistently shown that walleyes are the fish they most prefer.  Walleyes are a fine …

‘Tis the season.  Over the coming days I will be outta the office a lot more than I am in.  Oh, I will turn on the computer long enough to post a blog or two.  Otherwise, I will try to spend as much time on the water or in the field as possible, probably with family. Right now it is time to leave the customary holiday greetings. Got a Christmas card to share with you: Did not say it was …

Have not given an update on Trout Slam recipients since this spring.  Admittedly, a big reason I have not done that is because there were very few entries most of this year.  Then we stocked cutthroat trout again this fall, and the entries started pouring in! Entries have slowed down again now, so let me summarize what we have had come in. . . . Trout Slam certificates and pins will be in the mail for 28 Trout Slams that …

I know the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery bicentennial celebration was several years ago now.  Makes no difference, my family and I still enjoy dropping in on the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center.  That beautiful facility overlooks the Missouri River just outside Nebraska City. We spent an afternoon there again recently with family that was in town.  We did not frequent the hiking trails nor any of the outdoor exhibits this trip.  There was plenty to see and learn …