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
Holmes Lake. "It's not just about finding where they are: teasing helps, just a gentle tug as they approach," Josh said. He mostly catches and releases, and aims for walleye and catfish but finds them most elusive. He's happy with crappie. "It's a more active sport with a fish finder," said Eric Einspahr. "You drill a hole, stick the finder down, and if nothing is there you move on. You don't have to sit for half an hour to see if something bites." But some prefer the mystery of what's beneath, or maybe it's not only fish they are after. Some seek pure, uninterrupted time with a best buddy while others want solitude to recharge. Ukrainian immigrant Petr Korol is one of several Eastern Europeans I met and "zimnya ryealka," or ice-fishing, is deeply rooted in his culture. He used his "plyushnya" to chop a hole. A common tool where he comes from, it's a sharp metal spike on a five-foot hand-carved shaft. "Good for Ukrainian bears too?" I asked. "Yes, yes!" he said, smiling but serious. With gestures and broken English we spoke on a wind- chilled morning. As he fished bare- handed my gloved fingers burned. I asked him how he endured it. "Nobody gloves ice-fishing in Ukraine," he said. In his homeland, Petr used to fish the enormous Dnieper River where he once had to enlarge his hole to retrieve a 100-pound catfish. Asked if he had any fishing tips, he responded, "Don't go out if the wind is from the east or when the moon is new. Everyone in Ukraine knows that." Wind or moon in their method or not, on thick-enough ice you will see them out there – those devoted Lincoln anglers – content in their surroundings, silently watching their line. Think them courageous or crazy as you pass, they don't care either way as long as the fish are biting. ■ Blake Hauser of Lincoln pulls crappies from Bowling Lake with the advantage of his Vexilar fish finder. Salmo Darter lures are one way to attract bluegills. 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. DECEMBER 2014 • NEBRASKAland 29