Most of you know that I am all fishing, all the time, but I love to hunt and trap too.  I seldom go more than a few days without drying off a fish or two, but in the spring when the turkeys are gobbling, I get distracted.  This spring has been no exception.  I spent as much time as possible listening to my favorite birds gobble from ridge tops, fields, and canyon bottoms.  When the time is right, often in …

We have five state fish hatcheries in Nebraska.  In any given year those hatcheries will produce over 30 million fish, around 30 different species, and those fish will be stocked literally from one corner of the state to the other.  More than 250 public waterbodies will be stocked each year.  If you are interested in what is stocked where, when and how many, you can see all of our fish stocking database.  By the way, that database includes fish stockings …

Our Nebraska spring turkey season is about to wind to a close.  It was several weeks ago that I blogged about one of my hunts this spring (Turkey Down!).  I was by myself on that hunt; according to my spring turkey hunting scrapbook it has been twelve years since I took a tom while hunting by myself.  A lot of feelings and thoughts run through my head, especially while hunting alone, I want to get some of them down “on paper”. …

I realize that the big Memorial Day weekend is behind us, so when I mention these updates, some of you are going to say, “Thanks for nothing, wish you would have told me this five days ago”.  Sorry.  However, in my defense, a couple of these just came across the wire: Flooding prompts Cottonwood Lake closure MERRIMAN, Neb. — Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area in north-central Nebraska has been temporarily closed because rains have flooded the park’s access road and …

I like stupid, dumb, funny commercials, especially ones that promote fishing and fishing products.  Finally, another one from Rapala! https://www.facebook.com/TargetWalleye/videos/341472503229643/ Actually, that one is just plain “corny”, but “RRRRRon sent me”! Have a great weekend.  I know many of us are looking forward to the long, holiday weekend, just remember why we have a long, holiday weekend!

Going to copy and paste a blog post today.  This story recently ran in Nebraskaland magazine and has been featured on-line.  I am betting you will like the fish stories. Retiring Lures Whether they be worn-out, abused, busted, or simply evoke fond memories, some of your favorite fishing lures sit on a desk, a shelf, or a fireplace mantle – a place of honor for retired lures.  ENLARGE Jeff Kurrus’ collection of retired fishing lures. A Mangled Fly – Ryan …

Got a couple, three news items I want to call attention to.  These news releases went out last week, want to spread them around some more, especially with the Memorial Day holiday just around the corner.  Boaters and anglers need to know: Access restored to park areas following historic flooding LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has reopened all or portions of several state park areas that were temporarily closed after sustaining damage during March’s historic flood. …

Did a little video for FaceBook yesterday.  Might as well make a quick blog post out of it too! https://www.facebook.com/NEGameandParks/videos/680755042345942/ Weather has been great this week, and so have the fishing reports!  GO FISH!

Yes, most of my blogs lately have been about our Take ‘Em Fishing campaign.  I am going to continue that today with a little different twist. . . . An important part of the campaign is getting long-time, avid anglers to take someone fishing.  Most of us got started fishing because someone took us.  For most it was a dad, brother, sister, granddad, grandmother, uncle, cousin, some family member, but it also could have been a friend or acquaintance.  The …

OK, if the governor telling you to Take ‘Em Fishing was not enough (Governor Ricketts Proclaims May as Take ‘Em Fishing Month), how about THE Coach, Coach Osborne? Again, make sure to check out the whole program, Find someone and get them out there!