Fishing

It’s Friday, time to lighten up.  I found this video, one of Fat Cat Newton’s, it was shot at the beginning of last year’s ice season, but the tips here will help going into this season. Yes, there was more to that video, if you want to see the rest of it, and more like it, if you want to waste some time this weekend, Fat Cat Newton. I watched that video and immediately thought of an interview I did …

The ice fishing season is just getting started in Nebraska; in fact some waters are NOT safe yet, but without a doubt anglers are hitting the ice where they can throughout the state.  I love to ice fish as much or more as the next guy and there are lots of reasons for that.  I absolutely understand that some fried fish are definitely part of the ice-fishing experience, and may it always be so!  Fresh fish caught from local waters …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Stay safe on the ice this winter while enjoying a day of ice-fishing. Follow these tips from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for safety on the ice: — The minimum ice thickness for supporting one person is at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice. — Drill holes or use an ice chisel or spud bar to check the ice conditions while working your way out to your fishing spot. — Wear a life jacket. — …

Going to call attention to another blog/article in my blog today.  Yes, some of you will have already seen this in NEBRASKAland magazine or on the internet, but again this deserves to be seen by as many folks as possible, so I hope to call even more attention to it. The current issue of NEBRASKAland has a story entitled “Ice Fishing:  Search for the Heyday”.  Mostly, it is a story about one of the best ice anglers I know, and …

I have already suggested some things to do during this “‘tweener time” while we wait for safe ice.  Naturally, one thing we like to do as anglers is reminisce about past trips, past successes, big ones caught.  That reminiscing could include years past or just the current year, but for me, this time of year, I like to look back over the fall fishing that I just finished. I fish hard in the fall, as much as possible.  It is …

Ice fisherman Don Cox reflects on 25 years of fishing through the ice Don Cox of Mullen clearly remembers 28 years ago. He was at Pelican Lake on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge ice-fishing with his brother-in-law, Dave Fehlhafer, near an angler they nicknamed Red Man. While Red Man was catching some of the largest bluegill Don has ever seen, Don and Dave weren’t doing so well, spending most of the time second-guessing their tackle and technique. Nowadays, Don doesn’t …

I am not going to pretend to know when we will have safe ice.  If I did know, I would still tell you that it is up to YOU to be sure that it is safe every time you walk on the ice.  I am not going to take someone else’s word for it and you should not either.  You have to make that call yourself. I will tell you that we are getting close to seeing safe ice, but …

It’s December. Snow has fallen. It’s winter for all practical purposes. There is a no need to be a couch potato this time of year staying cozy by the fire for hours or binge watching a preferred TV show. Not when there are fun things to do outside, that is! There is actually host of activities that can be done in Nebraska throughout the winter months. So, gather your winter garb, here are some ideas for you: Cross-Country Skiing/Snowshoeing When the snow flies …

I am not going to tell you when we are going to have safe ice.  I learned a long time ago that you cannot point to a day on the calendar and say that will be when you can start ice fishing.  You have to check it, make sure it is safe, every time (topic of a lot of past blog posts, and will be for future posts). However, I do know this:  It is time to get ready, time …

Took an extra day off over the long Thanksgiving holiday and missed the weather and bad roads coming home.  Need to catch up with another blog post. . . . I “called my shot” a bit last week expecting that I would spend some time both hunting and fishing with family over the long weekend.  We feasted, played games, enjoyed the time together and yes, hunted and fished. It always feels good to go for a little walk after the …