Barbs and Backlashes

Going to blog about something that comes up every year about this time.  I have had a few phone calls and messages about it already. . . . Every year about this time we get reports of dead crappies or dead bluegills on a variety of waters.  It is understandable that folks are concerned when they see dead fish.  Of course assumptions are always the worst, that there has been some pollution event or there is something “bad” in the …

It is the eve of the Memorial Day weekend; the unofficial, official start to summer.  I know many of you have big plans for the weekend, camping, boating, picnicking, and yes, of course, FISHING!  We are right in the middle of May-June, some of the best fishing of the year, every year, on waters all over the state for a variety of species.  Simply put, right now, do not ask where, do not ask what baits, do not pass “GO”, …

In recent years we have tightened up some of our baitfish regulations.  Simply put, in eastern Nebraska, you pretty much cannot collect your own baitfish and use them in any waters other than the water from which they were collected.  Of course, many wonder why we are so restrictive? Let me tell you that invasive species are a huge threat to our fisheries.  They are such a threat that they can keep a fisheries biologist awake at night.  Without exception, …

Thank goodness the coronavirus is finally running its course.  We are starting to schedule some fishing events again!  This news release went out recently, but I want to share it, spread it around some more: Discover Fly-Fishing expands program for 2021 LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans are becoming increasingly curious about fly-fishing. So much so, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, with the help of Cornhusker Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited, has expanded its Discover Fly-Fishing event schedule for 2021. The …

We are a couple, three years into our “Take ‘Em” hunting and fishing promotions.  By now you should know the deal–you take someone new hunting or fishing, take a picture of them, enter it on-line for a chance to win prizes.  It could be someone who has never hunted or fished, could be a kid, but also could be someone new, someone who has not been on the water or in the field for a while. The whole idea is …

From time to time someone asks, “If you could only have one lure/bait, what would it be?”  My answer to that question has always been the same, a jig!  However, you know as soon as I say that I have to post disclaimers and explanations. . . . “A jig” is really not a fair answer.  Jigs come in an infinite variety of sizes, styles, colors, actions, and bodies.  Of the 500 pounds of tackle in my tackle box, probably …

I have blogged a number of times about our completed Aquatic Habitat project at Conestoga Reservoir.  In at least a couple of those blogs I included videos.  Well, there are a total of six videos of the Conestoga project.  You can see the entire playlist here: Again I also realize that many of you have already seen at least some of these.  Forgive me for trying to “spread them around” even more. Better yet, if you get a chance, stop …

The past couple of weeks I have been on a soap box trumpeting the need for folks to have some fish identification skills. Might as well have some fun with it.  Watch the video, consider it to be your Friday quiz: Here is the second part: The weekend is here.  Get on the water, put your skills to work!

It is still spring and the turkeys are still gobbling.  Yes, I will get back on the water, soon, but please indulge me while I blog about spring turkey hunting again. . . . After writing my blog last week about The Casual Turkey Hunter, I got to thinking.  I have seen a number of mature toms killed in the spring.  Several of those I have pulled the trigger on myself, and a bunch more I have gotten an “assist”.  …

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about the importance of having some fish identification skills, You Gotta Know!  Yes, I believe that even beginning anglers have a responsibility to know what they are catching. At that time, I mentioned that we had a fish identification aid in the works.  Now we have it! Fish Key Again, I would recommend EVERY angler spend some time looking at that publication and brushing up on their fish identification skills.  However, keep a …