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/977334
MAY 2018 • NEBRASKAland 19 NEBRASKAland Visitor Last issue's winner of the Visitor drawing was Steven Faust of Lincoln, Nebraska, who found the paper wasp on page 25. 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, 11, 17, 19, or 37. Several species of paper wasps (Polistes spp.) are found in Nebraska, including P. metricus. They can be distinguished from bees by their thin "wasp" waist. While coloration varies across species, their biology is very similar. Paper wasps are semi-social insects. Mated females overwinter in crevices or under bark, then emerge in the spring. They select a protected site, such as under the eaves of buildings, and build a small nest made of chewed wood fibers and saliva arranged into a comb of hexagonal cells. Then they lay eggs, producing non- reproductive female workers. These workers take over nest expansion, food collection and rearing of offspring; the reproductive female continues to lay eggs. Males are produced later in the season to mate with newly emerged reproductive females. Paper wasps feed on other insects, primarily caterpillars, and are considered beneficial insects. Special thanks to Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist, Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Lure of the Year – Buzzbaits By Jeff Kurrus Sometime last spring I had a conversation with longtime friend and fishing diehard Monte Mares of Seward. We were discussing our favorite lures and he told me that he loved to fish small crankbaits in the spring but, from then on, used buzzbaits. "The fish just can't stand it!" he wrote me. This last line kept me up at night last spring as I fumbled through my tacklebox, my eyes always coming back to the pile of buzzbaits that I often fished. But not often enough I soon learned. After taking Monte's advice, I caught more Nebraska Master Angler fish, and saw others catch more Master Angler fish, than I have in years. Nearly all of these fish came off of buzzbaits, including me catching three different species that were all Master Angler fish – multiple largemouth bass, northern pike and channel catfish. On different public lakes, I watched all three of these fish species hit white buzzbaits on the chase. The catfish was especially memorable as it, and its slightly smaller brethren I caught a short time later, ran more than 20 feet to attack my noise-making lure on top. For specifics, it's no different than using any other lure. Adjust the retrieval speed, whether or not it is twitched as it moves, or the color. Also take a look at its size and sound. I've seen days when the loudest, clackiest buzzbait was the ticket, and others where subtlety was the key. Regardless of what you choose, make sure you do make a choice by always having one tied on your second or third rod and reel. Then hold on when you get a strike. For if you're like me, you'll only know one thing for certain when the fish hits – it's a big one. ■ al winter r en This Master Angler northern pike was caught on the east end of Pelican Lake at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in Cherry County. PHOTOS BY JEFF KURRUS