Conservation

Some of us pointy-headed fish biologists share an adage, “The only constant in nature is change.” If you live in Nebraska, you should know that is truth.  Our weather is always changing.  Our climate changes from year to year.  We have wet spells, dry spells.  I have heard sandhillers say, no matter how wet it has been, that we are never more than about three weeks away from the next drought. That is life in the Great Plains. If you …

Just want to mention a couple of friendly reminders in my blog today.  I hear a lot of things from a lot of anglers, and it seems there are always a lot of misconceptions and misinformation. . . . Total Length There are a lot of ways to measure fish.  With length limits you WILL need to measure at least some of them.  Pointy-headed fisheries biologists measure what we call total length.  The total length of a fish is measured …

I have had several blogs about Nebraska mustelids (members of the weasel family).  Badgers and skunks have provided some entertaining encounters, and I often share a shoreline with a semi-aquatic mink while I am fishing.  Mink were one of my Gramps Roth’s favorite catches on his trap line, and they have been for me too. There is another semi-aquatic mustelid that I am still waiting to run into–otters. On a couple of occasions at Calamus Reservoir, I believe I saw …

I suppose I better explain the reference in the title of this blog, some of you ain’t old enough to get it. Back in 1992, you know, last century, there was a movie called A River Runs Through It.  It was about fly-fishing. Actually, it was about a lot more than that.  If you really want to know, check out the old Siskel and Ebert Review. My review is shorter:  It was about the adventures of two Maclean brothers growing …

By all accounts, this whole coronavirus thing has done is put more people on the water.  There is no doubt we have more folks fishing this year.  That is a good thing, and you know I have touted that time spent fishing is good for health, good for the soul.  You can grab a rod, get outside, socially distance, and get away from all the lunacy.  A lot of families that had their summer sports seasons canceled have discovered they …

It was just earlier this year that I learned that Big Foot’s name was Daryl! Good name. Now, I find out he also plays the sax! If that does not mellow you for the weekend, he has a whole YouTube channel, Saxsquatch! And, be sure to check out his website for all the CD’s, even old records and of course T-shirts! Many of you know that Sasquatch (and a variety of other wild creatures) guard some of my best fishing …

I have not provided the usual state record updates this year.  There was a slow start to the year with little to report.  Then, June rolled around and there were three, big, state record fish caught in back-to-back-to-back weeks.  I blogged almost immediately about them because they were so notable .  Let me get back on track by giving a full run-down here.  Might as well start from the beginning, way back in February. . . . Silver Carp Hayden …

Back in March I blogged about the Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation project at Ft. Robinson.  Yes, we have a number of fishing waters on and near Ft. Robinson and we are in the midst of a major rehabilitation project on those waters.  I had some photos of the project near completion back in March, have some even better ones since completion now.  There was also a news release a few weeks ago that I want to dust off and share again …

Got another update I want to highlight; this time I will get it out before the weekend! This will not affect a lot of anglers, but it will some: Red Willow’s Willow View boat ramp closed due to damage LINCOLN, Neb. – The damaged Willow View boat ramp at Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area is expected to be closed for the remainder of the year. A concrete extension to the ramp sloughed away over time, creating a hazard for …

A nationwide mourning dove banding program has been helping biologists monitor population trends of the species while also providing interesting stories of the movement and longevity of this migratory game bird. The banding program began in 2003. The information it provides, combined with more obtained from the examination of wings of harvested doves, is used to estimate the number of doves in the nation and the age structure and productivity of the population. That information, as well as hunter and …