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Christmas Combo

ChristmasCombo2023

A few weeks ago I gave a little rundown on the fish caught during my several months of fall fishing (On the Water, Fall 2023).  Not knowing what our Nebraska weather might be, I have hinted since then that my open-water fishing for the year may not be done.  Oh, you know I would much rather be on the ice by sometime in December, but if life gives you lemons. . . . I kept fishing open-water in December.  In …

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2024 Fishing Guide

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Quick blog post today.  Just want to point out that the 2024 Fishing Guide can be seen online. Yes, there was a news release that went out at the end of December about fishing regulation changes for 2024 (Be Aware of Fishing Regulation Changes for 2024).  That news release ONLY highlighted changes for the coming year.  That has caused some confusion.  If you look up the complete rules and regulations in the Fishing Guide, those changes should make sense. The …

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Foraging for Edible Wild Plants (or Parts Thereof) in Winter

Wait, what? Foraging for Edible Wild Plants (or Parts Thereof) in Winter, seriously? Yup! Trust me. Don’t stop reading. Stay with me here. Gathering wild foods in Nebraska IS NOT … I repeat IS NOT just a spring, summer or fall outdoor activity, it can be done in winter even with snow cover. I learned this from my grandfather, Frank Hintz. And I have done it successfully. Remember, if I can do it, you can do it! Plus foraging this …

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Happy Stinkin’ New Year

DepthFinderJiffyIce2023

A week ago I posted a somewhat traditional New Year’s blog (Happy New Year, 2024).  You know, I included the customary, happy new year, make some resolutions, blah, blah, blah. Actually, many of you know, my new year starts each year the first time I walk on the ice, drill some holes and pull some fish through those holes!  Admittedly, that can be a bit of a moving target.  “New Year” came at around the Thanksgiving holiday last year.  Most …

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Annual Ice Safety Reminder

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(EDITORS NOTE:  I am hearing a few whispers about folks starting to venture on the ice, in Nebraska.  For most of us, we are NOT there yet, but hopefully we are getting close enough for me to do my annual reminder about ice safety.  Do not need to re-write that post, am simply going to dust off a previous one and run it again. . . . ) Believe it or not, I know there have been some folks on …

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An Ice Fishing Timer

A stopwatch is nearly as important to your fishing success as your rod and reel. By Jeff Kurrus Staring into an 8-inch hole in the ice, your eyes following the thinnest fishing line you’ve ever seen, might be the most addictive activity on the planet. So addictive, in fact, that a stopwatch is nearly as important to your fishing success as your rod and reel. Using this uncommon ice fishing device, an angler can assure that they will in fact …

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Happy New Year, 2024

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Friday blog post right ahead of a holiday weekend again this weekend.  Going to keep it short and light-hearted. Have never been a big observer of New Year’s resolutions.  I always figured that if you needed to do something the old Nike motto was appropriate:  “Just Do It”.  No sense in making resolutions or promises that you might or might not keep. However, the end of a year and beginning of a new one is a natural time of reflection.  …

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Hybrids, Walleye-Sauger

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Going to return to the subject of hybrid fish again today.  I already have blogged about several hybrids of the sunfish family, Lepomid sunfishes, and crappies.  Going to move on to another family of fish, the perch family, and a common hybrid. There is no doubt that walleye are one of the most popular sportfish in this part of the country.  Surveys of Nebraska anglers have consistently shown that walleyes are the fish they most prefer.  Walleyes are a fine …

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Ways to Give Back to the Outdoor Community in 2024

YouthFishingInstructor

The holiday season is upon us and the arrival of 2024 is just around the bend. The holiday period with the new year beckoning gives us a segue to pause and reset, recharge and re-focus our energies. In all sincerity, this season coupled with the new year allows us to curb our bad habits, improve ourselves, change our outlook on life to a positive one and see how we can make a difference. As avid outdoors-persons, this time of year …

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Trout Slam Update, End of 2023

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Have not given an update on Trout Slam recipients since this spring.  Admittedly, a big reason I have not done that is because there were very few entries most of this year.  Then we stocked cutthroat trout again this fall, and the entries started pouring in! Entries have slowed down again now, so let me summarize what we have had come in. . . . Trout Slam certificates and pins will be in the mail for 28 Trout Slams that …

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