Barbs and Backlashes

Going to go in a personal direction on my blog here again today.  Recently a cousin (second cousin actually, but who’s counting?) shared this photo on our family group FaceBook page: The adults in the photo would be my great-grandparents, the boy in overalls, second from the right on the running board would be my Grandpa, Oscar.  The photo was taken on the original homestead in western Nebraska.  A homestead that is still in the family! 150 Years of Ag: …

Looks like we are going to catch a break from our mid-summer’s heat throughout most of Nebraska over the next week or two.  That is nice although I expect July and August to be H-O-T, hot.  Over the past few weeks, I have been out and about during what has been some of our hottest weather this year.  I know there have been more than a couple of afternoons when the only possible activity was sitting in air-conditioning or immersing …

As a fisheries biologist I have had a bit of learning about science, enough to know that I will never know very much.  Given some time I can reference reams of information on a variety of topics, some more than others, depending on how much interest a particular subject has received from pointy-headed fisheries biologists.  The subject of aquatic habitat rehabilitation is relatively new, and to brag a little bit, Nebraska has been on the cutting edge with our Aquatic …

I am old, and I will never claim that I was ever one of the “cool” kids. I also completely realize that I will be just as big a “dork” at the end of this blog post as I was at the beginning. However, at the high school bass championships last weekend, for a couple of days, I hung around some anglers who were much younger and much cooler than me.  I heard some references to a song, a “Tournament …

I have been debating with myself whether to blog about this today or wait.  I decided it is timely and needs to be mentioned now, but right up front let me apologize because I do NOT have all the details or photos.  I will share what I know, what I have, but you may find more later. This past weekend the 2017 Nebraska High School Bass Championships were held at Merritt Reservoir.  The event this year was a little different, …

Some days I am not sure what to blog about.  Some days I have something in mind. . . . Then my phone starts ringing; the internet starts “chattering”.  A couple of things have been hot topics at my desk this morning. . . . Know the Regs!!!!! I can think of at least one news release we published already this open-water season reminding anglers to know the fishing regulations.  I can also tell you that not a day goes …

“All fishermen are liars except you and me, and sometimes I wonder about you.” There is at least some truth to that statement.  Certainly, one of the things we love about fishing is the stories, the experiences we have and the re-telling of those stories.  It is part of angling culture. For the weekend, just for fun, here are some fish stories you might enjoy reading.  Of course they are all true! 17 Mind-blowing Fishing Tales You know how I …

There has not been a lot of activity on the state record front, but I have a couple of fish and a couple of stories to share with you: Rod & Reel The first goes way back to April; the application literally came in right after I cleared the last batch of state record applications.  So, Brent Stephens of Kearney believes that we forgot all about his state record catch.  Sorry, Brent. I have told you about the “triploid” crappie …

I do not have anything new to blog about today, but I do want to return to a topic I have addressed many times–want to continue to keep this in front of everyone. . . . Unless you live under a really big rock, you have heard about aquatic invasive species and the threat they pose to our aquatic ecosystems and to our fisheries.  Everyone who uses any of our waters for fishing, boating, outdoor recreation of any kind, needs …

Just a reminder for the weekend, if you are in the North Platte area tomorrow, you might want to swing by Lake Maloney and check this out! Mostly we just have fun doing all things carp!  I know, I know, common carp are not my favorite fish either, but they are a challenge to catch, can be a lot of fun, and can be good eating too!  Don’t believe me?  Show up at Lake Maloney tomorrow and you just might …