How To

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 …

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 …

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 …

I know the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery bicentennial celebration was several years ago now.  Makes no difference, my family and I still enjoy dropping in on the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center.  That beautiful facility overlooks the Missouri River just outside Nebraska City. We spent an afternoon there again recently with family that was in town.  We did not frequent the hiking trails nor any of the outdoor exhibits this trip.  There was plenty to see and learn …

I treasure my time spent alone in nature or in a rural setting, especially this time of year in Nebraska. If I don’t get some alone time in the great outdoors, I end up getting a little restless, grumpy and cabin fever-like (just ask my wife, Polly). Alone time is essential with the hustle and bustle of the season and all that is happening in this world. Sure, it is safer and more fun to share your outdoor adventures with …

I know many of you look for this publication every year.  If you don’t, you should. Drum roll, please. . . . We will have the “hard copies” available in all the usual places as soon as possible.  Probably shortly after the start of the new year. But, now you know where the fish are at.  I cannot guarantee they will bite.  That is up to you. GO FISH!

I hope you do not think I post these news items on my blog just for filler.  I guess if you do, you can always choose not to read.  Whatever. Nonetheless, I learned a long time ago that no matter how much you publicize things, there will always be someone who does not hear.  I know this news release has been around for a few days; I am going to spread it around again, some more, especially with the stinkin’ …

It is the late period for deer hunting now and things can sure get tougher. In fact, things can even get tougher than they were during the regular firearm deer hunting season. After all, the rigors of the rut are pretty much over. But don’t put away your gear! Hear me out. I want to use a football analogy that many of you who hunt deer will understand when it comes to the late-season. For a football team, it is …

Last blog post I gave a little run down of my fishing adventures this fall.  Oh, by the way, we still have open water and I ain’t done yet. I mentioned in that post that fall is my favorite open water fishing of the year.  There are a lot of reasons for that, but good opportunities to catch big fish rank near the top of the list. Also believe that the autumn provides some of the most gorgeous sunsets of …

A week ago I gave a report on the hunting successes members of my family have had this fall (Family in the Field, Fall 2023).  I did that because I also love to hunt.  Unfortunately, as I mentioned at the end of that blog post, there is so much fish and game and so little time.  I would like to do it all, but just cannot.  I have however slipped out and chased roosters a couple of times this fall.  …