Nebraskaland

OCTOBER 2015 • NEBRASKAland 21 Wish I Was Fishing... By Sarah Kocher For most fisherfolk, there are only two types of days: days when we're fishing, and days when we wish we're fishing. Fortunately, Rich Tosches's book, Zipping My Fly: Moments in the Life of an American Sportsman, has provided an adequate alternative for the latter. Zipping My Fly sweeps the reader through anecdotes based on Tosches's many fly-fishing adventures. The stories, elaborate in themselves, border on fantastical when touched with Tosches's humor. Half his comedy gets its charm from its repetition; his one-liners make you feel as though you can see Tosches sitting at his computer, giggling to himself as he types about Monica Lewinsky and the breeding habits of sheep (and, of course, fly-fishing). This is paired with humor so ridiculous, you're laughing at the surprise of its randomness as much as the punchline. The stories themselves also encompass a pleasing variety, excellent for all who already enjoy or would like to learn more about the many aspects of the sport: tying flies, international fishing trips, tournaments, the sport's challenges – including, but not limited to, aggressive cows – and, among other things, hooking your own ears with your fly rod. Tosches nails the delicate balance between encouraging his readers to keep turning pages and to get outdoors themselves (hooking ears not recommended.) ■ NEBRASKAland Visitor and Last issue's winner of the Visitor drawing was Wayne Cross of Madison, Nebraska, who found the firefly on page 29. Readers are encouraged to contact NEBRASKAland within 10 days after this issue's publication with the correct page number and name of this issue's "Visitor" – a critter found in Nebraska. We will then gather the correct entries and draw one to win a NEBRASKAland mug. To enter each month, write: NEBRASKAland Visitor 2200 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68503. Or e-mail: Tim.Reigert@Nebraska.gov with "Visitor" in the subject line of the message. HINT: This issue's visitor is not on pages 4, 12, 21, 53, or 70. The Eastern firefly (Photinus pyralis) is common in Nebraska, and relatively large, with adults approximately ½-inch in length. Its head is protected by the reddish-yellow pronotum, with a black spot in the center. Its wings are concealed by pliable black wing covers, unlike most beetles which have hard wings covers. Fireflies are active mostly at night, when you'll see their flashes of light on a summer evening. But does that light also make them a target for predators? The answer is no; in fact, just the opposite. Fireflies contain chemicals that taste bitter and may even be poisonous to predators. Their lights act similarly to bright coloration, warning hungry birds and spiders that a firefly is not a tasty treat. Should a firefly be attacked, it can release drops of blood, known as reflex bleeding, to deter the predator, which quickly learns to look look elsewhere. Special thanks to Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist, Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Photo from Thinkstock. W By S F wh Fo in a when touched f it titi hi ER OC ) ■ know de CTOBE et ic lo ec S s kin bl d k OCTOBE – ng blood, d, kno to de whi lo look ok Spe PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS Deer Stand Safety By Jeff Kurrus According to the Tree Stand Manufacturers Association, 82 percent of hunters who fall from tree stands are not wearing full body harnesses, and falls from a tree stand are the leading cause of injuries during the gun deer season, according to studies in both Wisconsin and Ohio. But don't wait until firearm season to begin wearing a full body harness. Start now, and visit Tmastands.com for more information on staying safe when you're off the ground during deer season. ■ PHOT PHOT PHOT PHOTO BY O BY O BY O BY JEF JEF JEF JEFF KU F KU F KU F KURRUS RRUS RRUS RRUS This photo was taken from 20 feet up in a climbing stand on the private land of Chris Polenz in Sarpy County. Neither you nor I can survive this fall, so wear a full-body safety harness anytime you are hunting off the ground in any capacity.

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