Barbs and Backlashes

When I finally got on the ice this winter, a big wave washed over me.  It rolled down from the sandhills onto the lake shore, and then flowed out onto the ice. As I was immersed, I thought of something I wrote years ago: All of those memories and more come flooding over me every time I walk onto sandhills ice.  There is just something about that place that washes over me.  I still get excited at the thought of …

You may have heard me say before that my calendar is a little different.  Most folks recognize January 1 as New Year’s Day.  My “New Year” starts the first day I walk onto the ice for the season.  “New Year” can start some time in December, or maybe later than that.  This year, unfortunately, it has been later, too much later. I was hopeful “New Year’s Day” was going to be around the end of December.  At that time, I …

The first of these workshops is only a week away, so I want to spread the word: Game and Parks will certify youth fishing instructors LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors at workshops in Lincoln and Kearney in the coming months. Instructors are part of the Youth Fishing Program, a statewide team of volunteers and Game and Parks staff who host educational fishing events. Workshop participants will receive training and tools to …

The first of these are coming next week.  Need to spread the word! Learn about Nebraska fisheries at public informational meetings LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers can learn about the status of Nebraska fisheries by attending one of eight public informational meetings this winter. Attendees will hear a presentation by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on current and future projects, aquatic invasive species, regulations, and a fishing forecast. Staff then will answer fisheries-related questions. The meeting schedule is: Jan. 27 …

Participated in a radio interview with a very well known bass jock one time.  I will not drop names here, but if I did, you would know who I was talking about.  It was winter and he was in the area meeting with one of his sponsors.  I guess pro bass jocks do that during the “off-season”. Off-season? We asked him about bass fishing during his “off-season”.  Asked if he had he ever ice-fished? He said he would try ice-fishing …

Yeah, I know.  I talk too much.  Going to be talking ice-fishing again tomorrow!  Some of the best ice-sticks in the state show up for this workshop! Then, I promise, I am going to quit talking about it! GO FISH!

Nebraska is not known as one of the top fishing destinations in North America.  Never has been, never will be.  We simply do not have that much water.  On the other hand, folks who think all the good fishing is in some other state are sorely mistaken. This topic was the subject of a blog post I did a few years back, “Grass is always greener”.  In that post I looked deeper into In-Fisherman’s annual Master Angler Program.  Their Master …

Quick blog post today, not a lot of time, but let me make some comments: First, some of you will be interested in this little news update:  Access to Hudson Lake has been reopened. Hudson Lake in Cherry County reopened to ice fishing. Hudson Lake, which is about 24 miles southwest of Valentine, is available for public recreation through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Open Fields and Waters Program. Hudson Lake is open to ice fishing until March 1, …

Those of us who ice-fish have always known it.  Others are just beginning to figure it out. . . . Only the “cool kids” ice fish! Don’t believe me?  This commercial has been running on TV lately: https://youtu.be/SY77PRsbu9c I know this, they do not come any “cooler” than Matthew McCounghey! And he’s ice-fishing! When I run into ole Matt on the ice sometime, we will have to share tips: I thought it looked like he could have used more bait …

I am still getting caught up on some “stuff” after the holidays.  Want to post some updates about several things in this blog post.  Yes, I know some of these have made the rounds already, know that the news has already been released, but I want to spread the word as much as possible.  So, in no particular order: Holmes Lake ice-fishing event canceled LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has canceled the Discover Ice-Fishing Clinic scheduled …