Blowouts, Fishing featured in the June NEBRASKAland Magazine

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NGPC news release, 5/19/08:

LINCOLN, Neb. – If you ever wondered what a blowout is, wrestled over the decision of whether to release a fish you just caught or keep it for the skillet or wall, need advice on how to get started in archery, are looking for new areas to visit this summer, or are interested in a variety of other outdoor subjects, you’ll enjoy the June issue of NEBRASKAland Magazine.

The title of the lead story in this issue, “Blowouts,” by Senior Editor Jon Farrar, is a little misleading if you are thinking it must be a recap of some of the Nebraska football team’s victories in the 1990s, it is, instead, an in-depth look at craters found in the Sandhills.

In “Catch and Release,” Fisheries Biologist Daryl Bauer takes a look at both sides of the controversy of whether anglers should keep the fish they catch or release them to fight again another day.

NEBRASKAland Magazine Editor Doug Carroll talks about “Archery for Novices,” and makes suggestions on buying equipment, shooting correctly and the importance of diligent practice.

Associate Editor Jeff Kurrus’s article, “20 Lakes, 20 Parks,” gives readers a glimpse at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area (SRA) near Fremont, which provides the needs of thousands of people who have a large variety of outdoor recreational interests.

The history and future of a western Nebraska trout stream is described by Regional Editor Bob Grier in his article “Nine-mile Creek.” Grier describes how declining water levels related to the High Plains drought, restricted water use and more efficient irrigation application systems are taking their toll on what has long been a favorite fishery of rainbow and brown trout anglers.

In “Transplanting a Rare Orchid,” Gerry Steinauer, a botonist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, tells the story of how and why the small white lady’s-slipper, one of Nebraska’s rarest native plants, is being moved from a wet prairie north of Columbus to The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Preserve in Hall County.

Summer is the time for catfishing and one of the most effective ways to catch a mess of channels or flatheads is to fish the Platte River with the aid of an airboat. In “Blow Boat Cats,” Regional Editor Eric Fowler describes how Elmwood fisherman Dave Ortlieb uses his airboat to skim across the river’s surface to his favorite spots, where he has been catching fish since he was a teenager.

There are also articles about how hatchery production of white bass has helped improve Lake McConaughy’s white bass fishery; a look at pronghorn sheds; a quick description of the area at Interstate 80 Exit 285, near Windmill SRA and the Rowe Sanctuary; a summary of outdoor news across the state, and the usual letters to editor from NEBRASKAland readers.

NEBRASKAland Magazine is published 10 times per year by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and is available at Commission offices and newsstands across the state or by subscription from the Commission.

Subscription rates are one year – $18; two years – $33; and three years – $44. Subscribe by calling 1-800-NEB-LAND (632-5263) or online at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission - NEBRASKAland Magazine.