open water fishing

I have not spent a lot of time on Sowbelly Creek when I have been “out west” in our great state.  I am going to make sure I do the next time I am out in those parts! Fishing improvements made to Sowbelly Creek Thanks to a recently completed project by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, anglers are sure to enjoy better fishing on a half-mile section of trout stream in one of the Pine Ridge’s most scenic locations. …

Some of you are going to want to know the status of these boat ramps for this weekend: Low water causes boating issues at Panhandle reservoirs It’s been a hot, dry summer, and boaters visiting Lake Minatare and Box Butte state recreation areas may find launching and loading boats to be a challenge in coming weeks. Because of low water levels, the docks have reached the end of their track systems, making them unusable until the water rises sometime after …

As is often the case with my Monday blog posts, I am just trying to spread the word.  Here is the news release that recently went out: Main ramp area upgrades continue at Merritt SRA Declining water levels at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area near Valentine has provided the opportunity for additional upgrades to the main ramp area. The work will result in temporary closure of the ramp. Upgrades include extending the concrete boat ramp to accommodate safe low-water elevation …

I will flat out guarantee, when I get tired of all the “stuff”, the best thing to do is GO FISH.  I can tell you for a fact my blood pressure is lower when I am on the water.  However, I also realize there are times when you cannot “get away from it all” immediately.  When that is the case, you might as well dial-it up on your computer.  Take a break for mental well-being, pull up a video and …

You likely have heard about this story, it is all over and I suspect it is going to go even further. . . . I might as well put it in a blog post too. . . . A Nebraska angler, Andy Moore, was recently fishing up on the Missouri River in northeast Nebraska when he hooked into a fish.  It was a big fish, a really big fish.  It was an old fish, a really old fish.  Listen to …

From the looks of it, a lot of folks have forgotten about our Take ‘Em Fishing challenge this year.  I know school is starting and summer is coming to an end, but there is still time to find someone who has not been fishing, or has not fished for some time, and get ’em on the water! If you need more incentive, you can do that and be eligible to win prizes!  (HINT, HINT, wink, wink–with less participation this year, …

My buddy and co-blogger Greg Wagner posted a great blog on catch & release again last week.  I know a lot of people see his “stuff”, but I want to spread it around even more.  So, yes, again I am being lazy, Greg already did the work, all I am doing is suggesting you follow the link and READ IT! Release Big Catfish Unharmed Greg does a great job explaining why the release of fish, especially big fish is important.  …

There was a recent news release on some boat access improvements being done at Enders Reservoir.  I want to share that around: Boat launch improvements underway at Enders Reservoir SRA Boating access improvements at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area in southwest Nebraska have begun and are expected to last through the fall. Public access will be affected. Phase 1 of the project will restore boating access to Area A by extending the boat ramp. Other planned amenities here include Americans …

Let me have a little fun with my fellow fly-fishers today: I have heard enough negativity for one week, so before you start sending me more hate mail. . . LIGHTEN UP! My philosophy has always been to “use the right tool for the job”.  There are some fishing situations when a fly rod is absolutely the best tool!  In that case, HAND ME THE FLY ROD!!!! But, they really are just bobbers. Ha. Have a great weekend, GO FISH, …

Boating access improvements at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area in southwest Nebraska have begun and are expected to last through the fall. Public access will be affected. Phase 1 of the project will restore boating access to Area A by extending the boat ramp. Other planned amenities here include Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking, a new breakwater to protect the ramp, a new staging area near the ramp, and a new gravel parking lot with lighting. Once work at Area …