How To

Tomorrow, September 29, is National Hunting and Fishing Day.  Governor Ricketts signed a proclamation this week recognizing that here in Nebraska. I have always thought that a national hunting and fishing day is especially appropriate for Nebraska because we have some great opportunities for a variety of fish and game.  We are the mixed bag capital!  Fall is a great time to “combo up” and do both, hunt and fish. Need an example?  One of my co-workers here in our …

A couple of weeks ago I gave a “heads-up” that we were finally getting some cutthroat trout stocked in Nebraska waters again.  Many anglers have been looking hard for a cutthroat to complete their Trout Slam.  At that time, the first of those stockings was made in the White River southwest of Ft. Robinson.  We have stocked a few more thousand of those fish since then, here is the complete list: White River 1,000 Wood Reserve Ponds 600 Middle Fork …

As you hit the field this deer season, be sure to keep tree stand safety in mind. Every year hunters have accidents, some fatal, when hunting out of a tree stand. Before the season starts, here are some tips to consider: • Always check old tree stands for safety. Look at welds, nuts and bolts to make sure they are secure. • Check all tree stand straps and replace any that are weathered or frayed. • Always use a safety …

Again this is not new news, just trying to spread the word: Become a certified youth fishing instructor this fall LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors in Lincoln and North Platte this fall. Workshop participants will receive training and tools to conduct youth fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events. They also will receive program incentives. Instructors are …

I believe that one of the most important skills that any outdoors-person can possess is observation–being able to sense things in “the wild” and interpret what they mean.  Us trappers call it “reading sign”.  It is knowing tracks and seeing trails, and a lot more than that.  Trapping is a great way to hone those skills.  Observing sights, sounds, smells and sometimes even tastes can tell you what is going on, if you just take the time to learn. Modern …

Honestly, I have been thinking of what might be a good blog post for today.  I always have a bunch of ideas, but none of them seemed like good ideas today.  So, I started scrolling back through some pictures to see if something might come to mind. . . . I noticed a bunch of pictures I took of our 6,000 gallon fish tank at the state fair.  The display of fish at the Nebraska State Fair goes back a …

Want to spread the word on this. . . .Tomorrow night here in Lincoln. . . . Here, this will get you more excited! Here are the details:  Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O Street, doors open at 6:00 p.m., show starts at 7:00.  You can get tickets HERE. Cornhusker Fly Fishers and Nebraska Trout Unlimited are sponsoring this showing.  Show up to support those two great organizations and have a bunch of fun hanging out watching fly-fishing films with a bunch …

I have often touted fishing as the perfect sport because EVERYONE can participate.  Oh sure, you can be a spectator, but you shouldn’t be! TakeMeFishing.org recently started a campaign which includes a series of videos of various anglers telling their stories.  The “I Am an Angler” theme is that fishing is for everyone and anglers come in a diversity of shapes, sizes, and stories!  If you have some extra time this weekend, follow the link and watch the videos.  They …

You have probably heard it said that 10% of the water contains 90% of the fish.  I do not know about the exact percentages, but on any given day it is certainly true that there will be a whole lot of water that simply does not contain the fish you want to catch.  You cannot catch ’em where they ain’t.  Successful fishing involves the ability to eliminate unproductive water and find fish, and the best anglers do that well. How?  …

I know this on short notice and I know it is out where many may not be able to attend.  Don’t care, needs to be mentioned anyway.  If you can be there, do it! Open house for new stream section is Tuesday MITCHELL, Neb. — The Dry Spotted Tail Creek partner group is inviting the public to view the newly completed stream section at the Platte River Basin Environments property west of Mitchell. The area will be open from 5:30-7:30 …