NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/417216
I often wondered about those bucket-sitting people as I whizzed by Lincoln's Holmes Lake and Bowling Lake. What are they catching, what drives them? So over the course of two winters, I slid out to visit. There are three camps of people when the topic turns to ice-fishing: those who haven't tried it but think it might be fun, those who do it every chance they get and those who think both other groups are nuts. There also seem to be common denominators in this predominantly male group at the lakes: many grew up in small towns, most are all- around outdoorsmen and all are thankful to have their winter pastime just a short drive from home. Also notable are those with cherished childhood memories of family outings. Some are eager to build a bond with their own. When Eric Einspahr's daughter entered the world four years ago, he pondered their life together. "I thought about how I wanted her to remember me and how I remember my dad," he said. "I have great memories of warm- weather fishing trips growing up so I reconnected with the outdoors with her future in mind. Fishing summers again became such a passion that I felt a void when winter came." It was then that Eric reinvestigated the contents of his father's homemade, hand-me- down ice-fishing gear box. That box brought Eric to the ice and someday his daughter will join him – when she's ready for the cold. On behalf of those who love winter outdoor activities, I'll explain. We don't enjoy being cold – which is the crux of the misunderstanding – we like the challenge of existing outdoors in whatever nature gives. And we dress for it. We're fairly comfy. Being in cold weather brings a profound alertness and an element of euphoria: it is daring. Ice-fishing here comes in short stretches. Ice less than four inches thick is unsafe, and hazards are not always obvious. Lake ice also alters form no matter the thickness, producing one of nature's most mesmerizing sounds. Newly forming fissures sound like empty 50-gallon metal drums being pulsated by cushioned drumsticks. Across the lake everyone has their fishing formula and lures vary widely, most commonly including some combination of jigs with corn or grubs, or colorful artificial flies for panfish and trout. Those few with fish finders have a massive advantage. With his finder on Bowling Lake, Blake Hauser of Lincoln pulled crappies and bass at a baffling tempo using grubs on a teardrop jig. Within flickering lights dancing onscreen like a World War II radar image, Blake pointed out his lure, the lake bottom and the approaching school of fish. Josh Hoover-Rathjen prefers using a Salmo Darter lure, or jigs with wax worms. His finder pinpointed black crappie at Three Camps Story and photos by Mark Harris Jeff Nelson of Lincoln spends quality time with his pal, Yegang, on Holmes Lake. 28 NEBRASKAland • DECEMBER 2014