Barbs and Backlashes

Once in awhile I still get to play a part as a fisheries biologist when folks ask me to assist in the identification of “mystery” fish they have caught.  On rarer occasions I am asked to help identify even more obscure aquatic critters.  One of those occasions happened a few weeks ago when I took a phone call from a gentleman.  I had met this gentleman recently in person when he brought in a state record fish for certification.  I …

This news release went out last week; I have not heard much “chatter” about it: Niobrara River instream flows approved for NRDs and Game and Parks LINCOLN, Neb. – Jeff Fassett, director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, on Oct. 19 signed an order granting application A-19406 to appropriate water for the purpose of instream flows on the Niobrara River to maintain habitat for the fish community. The instream flow permit was granted to the Nebraska Game and Parks …

A few of us were talking a week or so ago about “scary” outdoor experiences we have had, you know, Halloween-type stuff.  I spend a lot of time fishing after dark, and usually try to use lights as little as possible (do not want to spook the fish), but honestly, I can recall very few incidents in the dark that had me spooked.  Oh sure, there have been bats fluttering right over my head, spiders, hooting owls, howling coyotes, and …

Found something funny/scary on the inter-webs.  Thought it was appropriate for today! https://youtu.be/-f2b5J7_1mo Can’t they hire an actor that at least knows how to hold a spinning rod?  However, the choice of bobbers was spot on! “Trick or Treat” and GO FISH! Our house will be the one handing out Snickers (not really, we’ve got Gummi Bears).

Let me say a few things about our Master Angler Award program in my blog today. . . . First of all, yes, we are running a little behind in getting Master Angler certificates mailed out.  If you sent in a Master Angler application since late summer and are wondering what happened to it, please be patient.  We are working a body short here in the office right now, and had to re-order the pins we send out for catch …

Last winter I told you about a little trip I took to the beautiful Nebraska sandhills; a trip to assist with some filming for a TV fishing show, TV Ice Fishing. Obviously, that filming was done for a couple of ice-fishing episodes for Jason Mitchell Outdoors.  The filming last winter was done for ice-fishing episodes that will be airing this ice season.  Well, they started airing ice-fishing episodes on Jason Mitchell Outdoors a couple of weeks ago, and the second …

October means paddlefish snagging season below Gavins Point Dam for those who drew a tag.  I have not said anything about this year’s season, but I want to mention that I have heard some great reports!  From what I have been hearing, the catch rates have been very good, and fish of a variety of sizes have been caught. I know a couple of guys who had tags this year, one of them his first paddlfish tag ever, and they …

Fall is big fish time, some of my biggest fish every year are caught in the fall.  With big fish in mind, I am a believer in big baits = big fish, all the time, but especially in the fall.  Go big, or go home. Sometimes a guy just needs to tackle-up to some heavier, bigger tackle to handle those bigger baits and big fish.  I guess the professional bass fishing circuit finally got with the program and are now …

Got out of the office for a bit today; ran over to Mahoney State Park and met one of our stocking trucks at the Century Link Pond.  Josh C. from our Calamus State Fish Hatchery was hauling some of the catcable-size, put & take rainbow trout today.  We met him there and did a quick “FaceBook Live”, while the trout were stocked. I know, the audio and video was not the best, but we were LIVE! https://www.facebook.com/NEGameandParks/videos/10154989546958513/ If you want …

Our volunteer, certified, youth fishing instructors are a huge help in many of our aquatic education efforts.  If you are an avid angler and would like to help out, would like to give back to the sport and resource, becoming a certified youth fishing instructor would be a great way to do it.  Here is another opportunity for certification: Become a certified youth fishing instructor Oct. 21 in Lincoln LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify …