Conservation

Our “Take ’em Fishing” promotion 2020 has come to a close.  By any standards, even with the pandemic, maybe because of the pandemic, it was a huge success.  We had over 6,000 entries this year.  A lot of folks re-discovered fishing if not experienced it for the first time.  Here are some of the best stories: The importance of all of this is getting new folks introduced to fishing.  Someone took you, someone taught you, and we all need to …

I bristle when someone refers to Nebraska as a “mid-western” state. We are not “mid-western”.  We are Great Plains. Mid-western states are to the east of us.  Frankly, I have not seen much in most of them with which I would like to associate. Things are different once you get west of the Missouri.  Things are different once you advance west across Nebraska–the land, the sky, the sunrises and sunsets, the people. I was reminded about this again last week.  …

Yes, I know it is December.  Yes, Christmas is only three weeks away.  But, I also know with some warm afternoons, and some are in the forecast, there will still be some folks wanting to launch boats to fish and hunt.  So, I want to get the word out with this news release: Lake McConaughy SRA boating access improvement to begin LINCOLN, Neb. — The Martin Bay boat ramp at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area will temporarily close to public …

This year just keeps getting better.  Saw this reported today on In-Fisherman’s FaceBook page: At In-Fisherman, we pause to offer our condolences to the family of In-Fisherman co-founder Ron Lindner. Lindner passed away on Monday at the age of 86. Lindner is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dolores, and their seven children and numerous grandchildren. The brother tandem of Ron and Al Lindner were the masterminds behind the creation of the In-Fisherman Communications Network, which launched in 1975. …

The Not So Plain Plains Onion Of our state’s six species of native onion, the Plains onion, though small in stature, has the largest, and in my opinion, most elegant flowers. Unlike the other onions, its flowers are scented, a sweet fragrance reminiscent of hyacinths or cloves. Unfortunately, hidden among the prairie grasses, this uncommon little onion is rarely seen, except when exposed by its colorful May blooms. Rose-colored Petals Aptly named, the Plains onion (Allium perdulce) grows throughout the …

“Other than family and close friends, this is what I love and had made me who I am.” – Scott Smathers, Nebraska Sportsmen’s Foundation When Scott Smathers’ social post came in front of me, it resonated. He’d shared a hunting poem that has been circulating on Facebook since at least 2018, but the original author has not been tagged in those shares. However, the author’s words are worth reading and sharing, and that’s why I share them below.  Because this …

Going to be “outta the office” for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Nope, not going to be the usual holiday.  Nothing else has been “normal” this year, why would it be any different for Thanksgiving? However, one thing has NOT changed, and that is we have A LOT for which to be thankful!  Freedom, this beautiful state we call home, time spent outdoors, friends and family, health, food on the table, a roof over our heads.  Maybe we should all appreciate those …

I know many of you have already winterized the boats.  However, I also know that as long as we have liquid water, some will still be launching boats and fishing.  We have lots of folks that are using their boats for waterfowl hunting too.  You all should have made note of this news release at the end of last week: Trenton man injured in Swanson Reservoir boating accident LINCOLN, Neb. – A 46-year-old Trenton man was hospitalized with injuries following …

I have blogged several times about how everyone needs a good net man, and a good photographer.  Unfortunately, some never take their responsibilities seriously.  What you can do about that? Most of us could tell horror stories.  I can remember one nice walleye, the only walleye of the day, that got knocked off by my net man. It is even worse when you are netting your own! When it happens, and it will,  there will be mental and emotional anguish.  …

I spent a couple days drifting flies down a river this fall.  Mid-afternoon of the second day I had an epiphany.  It dawned on me that all I was really doing was something I had done probably since the first day I ever fished–watch a bobber. Sure, fly-anglers like to sophisticate-it up by calling them “floats”, or in this case a “hopper dropper”, but in practice, what I did was sit and watch for that ‘hopper to go under water.  …