Fishing

I have been getting “out” and practicing some social distancing when I can.  But, like many, I have spent a lot of time recently watching stuff on the internet.  Let me share a couple that I liked: First one is an interesting, but short, battle with a muskie: If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that most of the time I am standing in a pair of waders while I am fishing.  I fish from …

Merritt Reservoir has long been one of Nebraska’s top fishing destinations. Merritt is an irrigation reservoir, but unlike some others, it fills every year because of the ample flow of the Snake River. It consistently has great water quality and abundant prey fish. And with this year’s adoption of a 50-inch minimum for what many consider to be Nebraska’s greatest fish, the muskellunge, Merritt has entered rarefied air as a trophy fishery. “Merritt has alewives, white suckers and various panfish,” …

Step away from ordinary equipment to fly-fish Nebraska’s trout streams. Let’s get this out of the way early. When looking for fly-fishing advice, you might want to go elsewhere. Mind you, I have fly-fished many times, but when it comes to getting serious about catching fish, a spinnerbait or can of nightcrawlers is usually involved. My fly-fishing dates back to the 1990s when I was gifted a rod-and-reel combo package. As with all fishing, it was fun. Too often, though, …

Other than my wife and daughter, I have had little interaction with any other humans for the past several days.  Anytime I touch a surface, or come within 10 yards of another person, off I go to wash my hands. At least to this point, our governor has not ordered us to lock down for a couple of weeks.  So, yes, I would still tell you that you can sneak away for a little fishing and practice social distancing. I …

One of the biggest Aquatic Habitat rehabilitation projects we are working on right now is out at Ft. Robinson.  Yes, that is way out in northwest Nebraska, and yes, you should make a trip there sometime!  There are a lot of fishing opportunities in and near Ft. Robinson, as well as a ton of other things to see and do.  Oh, and it is some of the purdiest country in the state! Some of the fishing my family and I …

Certainly if you have spent anytime watching the news this week you are gloomy. Weather most of the week was that way too, and then it snowed again last night! How about a colorful brook trout to brighten things up? Nebraska does not have a lot of brook trout waters, but we do have a few!  I have always said I love those places because they are some of the prettiest in the state, and so are the fish that …

Though we are in uncharted territory with COVID-19 regarding advisories and mandates, truly there is no better place to gain easy personal solitude or social distancing from the virus than in nature! All state park area grounds are open! They are not closed! They remain open to you for all sorts of outdoor pursuits – Sightseeing, picnicking, running, hiking, biking, camping, wildlife watching, fishing, mushroom hunting, etc. The Cowboy Trail is also open for use. Enjoying time in our state …

We currently are in what I believe to be one of the hardest times of the year to catch fish–early spring.  Do not get me wrong, there are some great fishing opportunities now.  However, the water is still very cold and the weather is very schizophrenic.  Whatcha gonna do? Well, for starters, my buddy Greg ran a blog this week on 7 Key Early Spring Fishing Tips.  Check it out.  A lot of Greg’s blog included “stuff” I have said …

I know everything you are hearing about right now relates to the coronavirus.  I also know that some of that news changes not only by the day, but by the hour.  I wish I could avoid that topic all together, but that is not the case now.  So, let me share with you some coronavirus information as it relates to our outdoor recreation.  This news release just went out: Commission takes measures to keep staff, public safe in response to …

I do not know what to blog about today.  The past couple days have been unlike anything any of us have ever experienced.  Many of us are wondering what is going to happen next???? Under “normal circumstances” I would tell you to GO FISH! Unfortunately, it is March and you know early spring in Nebraska means crazy weather changes.  This weekend looks cold and wet, snowy. If we get stuck indoors for very long, or God forbid, quarantined, I am …