Fishing

Sunday is Father’s Day.  Many of you know that I lost my father less than a month ago.  If you continue to read this blog post, you will have to indulge me as I share some more memories and thoughts about my Dad. Master Angler At the end of our spring turkey season this year I shared a memory of Dad (Paradox).  I am pretty sure that Dad and I killed our first spring turkeys together on the same day …

I do not own a boat, that is unless you want to count my float tube or “belly boat”.  Yes, I have a life-long dream of owning a boat, but I figured out a long time ago that a person can catch a lot of fish, and a lot of really big fish, from Nebraska waters without a boat.  I have even suggested in the past that in some fishing situations I can flat out out-fish boat anglers (The View …

My family and I enjoyed another relaxing weekend at Johnson Lake. The bite has been fairly good the past three weeks, however, most of the walleye are under the 15″ limit. Persistence paid off Saturday as I landed this 25-1/2″ trolling the flats off the island. I took a couple quick pictures with grandkids Katelyn and Kaleb and then back in the water he went to swim another day. Remember to take a kid fishing.

If you are interested in learning to fly-fish, and do not be intimidated, it is not that hard to learn, I found this on the calendar for this coming Saturday, June 14. That is being held at our Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, directions are included and a little map to let you know where it is located.  Class size is limited, there are a few spots still open, so be sure to call ahead and reserve yours.  The Cornhusker Fly Fishers are …

It’s amazing what a little nice weather can do – it allows us to get out and get some projects done, gives our gardens a shot in the arm and really turns on the bite. By the time you read this, many of you will already know that several species of fish have gone nuts across the state. The walleyes and wipers have been eating everything in sight with crappie, bass and catfish not far behind. As for our area, things …

I have a couple of somewhat random things to share with you before I head out the door for the weekend. First of all, you have probably heard me say before that understanding predator/prey dynamics is KEY to finding and catching fish.  That is doubly important for anglers because we not only have to find our quarry, we also have to make them bite!  So, here is a short video that I found.  I never get tired of watching big …

Northern pike have been swimming in Lake McConaughy since biologists stocked them around the time the reservoir on the North Platte River began filling in 1941. But judging by fish sampling data, angler reports and the 10 pike that topped 36 inches in length or 10 pounds to qualify for Master Angler there in 2013, the current population may be the best since. That doesn’t mean there are a lot of the toothy critters in the lake. “[The pike population] …

I hate “litter bugs”.  If I see another styrofoam worm container on the shoreline of one of my fishing spots, I am going to scream!  I have used the word “pig” before to describe folks who discard all manner of trash in our environment and especially around our public fishing areas.  I probably should not call ’em “pigs” because that is offensive to real pigs.  If I had my way, discarding trash of any kind on our public hunting and …

Had a cousin, actually first cousin once removed although I do not know what she was removed from, but I digress, anyway she shared this with me and I think it is pretty good advice, especially for a weekend! Oh, do NOT think that fly-fishing is just for trout!  Right now would be one of the best times of the year to use that fly-rod to catch some Nebraska bluegills!

Many of you know that the last month has been a difficult one for me.  If you did not know, my Dad was battling cancer since last December.  Although he never was in a lot of pain, he just lost all strength and vitality and passed away about sunrise on May 18.  As you can imagine, his condition and trying to be there for him and Mom have occupied a lot of time in the past few weeks.  But, as …