12 Nebraskaland • April 2023
Jenny Feeken, of Gretna, begins to clean a mess of crappies after an April midday fly-fishing trip. Allowing the water to warm
up, as well as get a few extra winks, isn't a bad idea this time of year. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
By Jeff Kurrus
LUNCHTIME IN APRIL
The early bird gets the worm, right? Not necessarily
in April. While it's nice to watch the sun rise as many
days as possible any time of the year, it's unnecessary this
month. Plenty awaits you once you decide to enter nature
at lunchtime.
Turkey Hunting
Dawn for show, noon for dough the gobbler-chasing cliché
goes, but it's never truer than in April. With unpredictable
weather during the early spring, seeing flocks in the morning,
when toms are still henned up, is the norm. Midday can
become a different story, however, as birds begin to separate
and toms start to display their first moments of insecurity.
Be there when they do.
Fishing
The warmer the water becomes in April, the more active
the fish. Another good reason to sleep in is the sheer coldness
of the water on your hands on these mornings. The brain
tells you it's no longer winter, so you underdress almost
naturally, and any sort of gloves are nearly forgotten entirely.
Midday sun will warm up those digits and allow you to spend
even more time on the water, when the fish are truly starting
to become alive.
Hiking
Whether for the start of mushrooming or just to reacquaint
yourself with the woods, midday hikes in April are spectacular.
Every little ounce of color is coming to fruition all around
you. There's no better time to be afield. Just make sure you're
wearing some hunter orange to keep you and those sharing
the woods with you safe.
Biking
Not too hot, not too cold. April is the time to take a stroll
through a park. Despite the ideal weather, still bring enough
water, especially if riding on one of the state's many trails.
Boating
As excited as you might be, early April in Nebraska is
usually not the time to knock the dust off the water-skiing
rope. But it is the time to imagine what that will feel like
very soon from your spot on the water. If early summer is the
first time your boat gets on the water, we have some things
to discuss.
Sleep now, for everything you want to see will be there
when you finally arise. Unless you're a photographer. If this
is the case, get up with the turkeys.
IN THE FIELD
