Fishing

I try to keep things positive on my blog, most of the time.  There also are certain topics that have politics written all over them and I have to be careful what I say about those too.  On the other hand, Nebraska fish and fishing is what I do, both professionally and personally, and there are certain issues that Nebraskans, Nebraska anglers in particular, need to know about. This story ran in the Omaha World Herald this past Saturday.  If …

Without a doubt Burchard Reservoir is one of our best fisheries in southeast Nebraska.  The reservoir has a watershed comprised almost entirely of grass and because of that, even though it is a relatively old reservoir, it maintains excellent water quality, great habitat including an abundance of aquatic vegetation, and quality fishing for largemouth bass, panfish and channel catfish.  Over the years, the outlet structure on the Burchard dam had deteriorated to the point that it needed replaced.  That project was …

I have pursued, and caught, some of the biggest, baddest fish that swim Nebraska waters.  Spending hours, even days fishing hard with little to show for it knowing that the one fish I might catch could be huge is not a problem–love fishing like that every chance I get.  But, I also love a little more action and a return to my roots, the same roots most of us anglers share, sitting on a shoreline dabbling bobbers and baits in …

You all know I am a Nebraska “homer”–“There is No Place Like Nebraska”.  Yes, part of the reason for that is it is my job, but more importantly, Nebraska IS home, always has been. So, it is nice to see Nebraska waters get some recognition as having excellent fishing. . . . In-Fisherman Top 10 Midwest Walleye Fisheries I fully realize there is a lot of good fishing in a lot of places and I have a list of out-of-state waters …

Just received this note from Lindsay Shearer, Nebraska 4-H Camp Operations Coordinator, about a special offer on the 4-H Outdoor Skills summer camps listed here.  I recently wrote about these camps, and others, on the blog The Power of Summer Camp.      hershy “We still have several spots available in the Outdoor Skills Sessions that are hosted in partnership with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, at all 3 of our locations (State 4-H Camp, Destination Camps and Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center). …

I am heading up to Sioux City this weekend; will be at the monthly meeting of the Siouxland Fly Fishing Club Saturday morning.  The club meets at 9:00 a.m. to do some fly-tying and then their meeting and my presentation, will get going at 10:00.  If you are in that area, please stop by.  They meet at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center on the Iowa side of the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers.  Come for the meeting if you can, …

Get your Nebraska outdoor law and regulation questions ready for Conservation Officer Rich Berggren of Waterloo on my Saturday Morning Great Outdoor Radio Show. It airs LIVE from 9-10 a.m. CST on Omaha’s KOZN Radio/1620 AM “The Zone.” Here’s a photo of Rich on a youth spring wild turkey hunt. Rich and I will be covering various do’s & don’ts, regulation reminders and tips for fishing, boating, state parks, wildlife, hunting and even more. Rich will also touch on what it’s like to be a conservation officer. You’ll find this program to …

I get a little tired with the exclusivity some anglers have:  You know, “I’m a walleye angler”, or “I only fish for bass”, “Catfish or nothing”.  I get it, we naturally have our favorites, but it gets real old when some are so snobbish that they despise other fish that end up on the end of their lines.  They just do not get it.  Oh, I have my favorites too, but I believe that you can actually become a better angler for …

Time is flying through the Memorial Day weekend already and that means summer is off and running!  We have already hosted a couple of Family Fishing Nights, but things are really going to get busy now!  We have more family fishing events scheduled for this summer than ever before, let me highlight them: In our southwest region, In our northeast region, In the panhandle, In southeast Nebraska, And in the metro areas, If you would like to see all the …

The three-day Memorial Day weekend is about the fun of getting together with family and friends for cookouts, camping expeditions, fishing excursions, river float trips, etc. However, Memorial Day weekend is truly about saluting and remembering those individuals in the U.S. Military who lost their lives while in the service to our country, particularly in combat. My thoughts also drift to my son-in-law, Tyler Nichols of Omaha, NE. Tyler is currently serving with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. Tyler and …