Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Let me begin this post by play the part of pointy-headed fish biologist and define terms. The word “adipose” is used in the title. That refers to the fleshy fin on the back, near the tail, of some species of fish. For example, channel catfish have an adipose fin; trout have an adipose fin. Walleyes, bass, sunfish, and pike do not.
Having said that. . . . I often proclaim the diversity of fishing opportunities in Nebraska. Believe me, I am fully aware that other states have some great fishing. I have experienced some of that myself and have many out-of-state waters on my bucket list. On the other hand, learned a long time ago that the best way to be consistently successful is to spend as much time on the water as possible. Accurately assessing the potential of waters you can fish often and learning to fish them is the way to becoming a successful angler. As a result, I spend a lot of time fishing Nebraska waters, many of them close to home, but also taking advantage of every opportunity I get to travel the state.
In recent weeks I have been from one corner of Nebraska to the other. Caught fish all along the way. Thinking back, I realized that the one thing all of those fish happened to have in common was that they had adipose fins.
Starting in southeast Nebraska, our fall has been relatively warm. That has provided extended opportunities to target some warm-water species. Species like flathead catfish:
Then I took a swing west and fished waters that were a lot cooler. Along the way I found some beautiful cutbows!
Reaching the northwest corner of the state, I fished several small streams located in some of the most scenic spots Nebraska has to offer. Initially, the weather was still warm, and to avoid sweating I only spent an hour or two one evening trying to catch a brook trout. Spooked some then watched one eat my fly only to set the hook, turn him over and have my fly come back at me. Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!!!!
He was here, in the grape pool:
Then a front blew through. The wind blew, lightning flashed, and the rain came down. When there was a lull, with just a few minutes of daylight left, I managed a couple of rainbows. It was dark and rainy and I did not get any photos. You will have to take my word, they looked like this:
One last day on the water brought a few brown trout to the net. Nothing big, but beautiful fish:
Everything was released. They are there so I can catch them again. Maybe you can too.
I guess to continue my tour I need to find some rainbow smelt and trout-perch. . . .