Fishing
The Missouri River has opened up some very good
fishing opportunities this last month. The recent rains have
raised the river to flood stages that have not been seen in some
time. This high water time brings lots of opportunities for
fishermen to not only catch fish but to catch a variety of fish.
Not only Channel cats and larger Blue cats, but also what has been
keeping the fisherman coming back are the carp swarming during the
higher water levels. Carp like to pillage the riverbanks, not
normally submerged with water, for insects and worms that were
caught by the sudden rise in the river level. You can visually see
them working these areas looking for food. Carp are also notorious
for spawning (laying and fertilizing eggs) in the shallower waters
when the river suddenly raises. This works to the Fisherman’s
advantage by allowing them to see where the fish are gathering.
All that needs to be done at that point is laying the bait in the
area and wait for the bite. Then the fight is on to get him to the
bank. Carp have been known to pull the fishing rod right out of
your hand. Many locals will spear carp in the high water times by
simply wading into the areas that the carp are working and gigging
them. These fish are taken for harvest and many times it’s fish
fry time with the large amount of fish taken in this manner. The
Bait of choice is still night crawlers, with fair action on dough
& stink baits. And the live baits are coming on with moderate
action. So with that said, you should shake it up a little with
several different baits and hit the riverbank because they’re
biting.
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This month’s fishing picture is Joe Studebaker
from Peru with a German Carp. |
Hunting
Spring Turkey Seasons are nearing their
end. Once again the hunting was slow starting and seems to be
coming on right at the end of the seasons. There are plenty of
turkeys in the area which I have explained before this is not
always good. The spring season only allows you one male turkey and
if you can’t call them away from the hens you’re in trouble.
The cooler weather seemed to set the breeding season back a
little. The early season they could be worked fairly easily but it
was warm (>70 degrees). Then came three weeks of 40 and 50
degree temps that set them back to the point that they wouldn’t
gobble in the morning or the evening – don’t get me wrong they
were there but just weren’t aroused enough to come to a call.
That and I think all the gullible ones were killed in the warmer
early season. The ones that are left are pretty shifty and have
their eyes and ears open – not much gets by them. So staying
still and controlling your calling is the key. I’ve been told by
several local residents & farmers “Those Turkeys are all
over, haven’t you got yours yet?” Well sometimes that’s
easier said than done. To the average person a 20-pound tom turkey
looks pretty easy to kill waltzing around the roadside or field.
But it’s harder than it looks because you are hunting them with
a shotgun or a bow & arrow. That means you have to have them
within 25 yards of you to kill them. Their feathers act as armor
for both techniques. With a bow & arrow you aim for the vitals
(heart & lungs) and with a shotgun you aim strictly for the
head. But one wrong noise or move and they are out of shooting
range right now. Basically, that’s where the rubber meets the
road “get them close, stay still, & let them have it!”
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This month’s hunting picture is myself with a
19 pound Tom with a 10 inch beard and a nice mess of Morel
Mushrooms. |
Deer Permit Reminder:
Starting
June 13th Residents who do not yet have their FIRST
permit, including those who were unsuccessful in obtaining a
permit in a Draw unit, can purchase their FIRST permit. Permits
that remain in Draw units are available at this time. This also
includes Statewide Archery, Statewide Muzzleloader and Statewide Youth.
Starting
June 27th Nonresidents
& residents who do not yet have their permit, can
purchase their permit, in any unit subject to availability,
including statewide archery and muzzleloader. Purchase online or
by mail through the Lincoln office. Contact the Nebraska Game
& Parks web page today at http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/guide/hguide.html.
That does it for me this month. The exciting thing
about fishing The River is you never really know what you’re
going to catch. You really should give it a try while the fish are
biting regularly. You won’t be sorry.
Remember I’m not an expert but I have my share of
luck. I wonder if the experts are having any luck today?
So until next time “Happy Hunting & Fishing.” |
