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/823575
MAY 2017 • NEBRASKAland 25 Last issue's winner of the Visitor drawing was Brad Dietz of Pierre, South Dakota, who found the springtail on page 57. 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 page 2, 15, 21, 25, 35, 44, 46, 47, 48, 50, 53 or 86. Special thanks to Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist, Nebraska Department of Agriculture. NEBRASKAland Visitor My Favorite Topwater Lures By Julie Geiser There is nothing like the thrill of watching a topwater lure work its way back through the water when suddenly from the depths or shallows, the strike happens. Three proven and popular lures that can be used for multi-species of fish including bass, crappie, white bass, northern pike and muskies are the Zara Spook, buzzbaits and poppers. These lures have been enticing fish to the water's surface for years; they can be seen and heard, and they all release vibrations of some sort. All three can be used in deep or shallow water to catch fish off guard or make them mad enough to bite. They all come in different sizes, shapes and colors to fit whatever fish species, big or small, you are after. The key to all of these is varying the speed and direction of the lure presentation to find what the fish like. Don't get in the rut of using these lures only in the mornings and evenings – pull them out all day long and see if the bite is on. ■ nd nd Zara Spook – Use a twitch and pause, twitch and pause retrieve that makes the lure walk back and forth across the water's surface. Buzzbaits – Begin reeling as soon as it hits the water. This lure is great for flushing fish out of shallow water as well as suspended fish. Poppers – Known for slow retrieves to catch fish that are unwilling to chase faster moving baits. Springtails (Order Collembola) are exceptionally small, wingless creatures, between 3 ⁄64 and 1 ⁄8 inch in length. They live in moist soil, feeding on decaying organic matter. While insectlike, they are no longer considered to be true insects. Springtails get their common name from an unusual tail-like structure on the underside of their abdomen, called a furcula, which moves the springtail in a unique way. The furcula is attached at the rear of the abdomen, and folds forward under the abdomen. It is held in place by a structure called a tenaculum. When the tenaculum is released, the furcula pushes down against the ground, causing the springtail to appear to jump, sometimes up to several inches. Occasionally springtails can be found in moist areas inside homes. But they cause no struc tural damage and do not bite, and are more a nuisance than a problem.