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: https://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1545575
64 Nebraskaland • May 2026 An Evening of Fishing Last year, Mark — whom I've been friends with for more than 35 years — invited me for an evening of therapy. In early July 2025, I met Mark, Ron, Marty and Gene Braun, a newer member, at the pond at 5 p.m., their standard starting time. While loading the boat with fishing gear, folding chairs and coolers, I asked Marty if he had gone to school with Mark. "No," he said. "Dietz didn't go to high school — he's still trying to get his GED." The tone was set. Before setting off, Mark was unanimously — and without his consent — voted captain for the evening, responsible for running the trolling motor. As I later learned, the designation made him the target of sarcasm whenever his steering failed to meet the approval of his mischievous passengers. We were soon underway, slowly trolling across the pond's quiet waters, quail whistling from nearby hills. In the heat of summer, the group starts each evening fishing for bluegill and crappie in the cooler, deeper water in the pond's center, using ultralight rods and casting 1/32- ounce jigs, mostly road runners. It took Mark years to talk the others into using 4-pound-test line and light jigs for panfish. "They couldn't keep up with me," he said. "I told them, 'You gotta go light, baby.'" They finally listened, and according to Mark, "now they catch fish." In the pond's clear water, heavier line is more visible, and fish avoid the jig. With an ultralight rod and 4-pound line, they can feel even the slightest bite, and casting light jigs is easier than with 6-pound line. On a good night, the group catches 30 to 40 panfish. Before long, the guys landed three crappies. When Marty reeled one in, he gave an unexpected kudo to the captain for "steering him onto one," then slipped the fish back into the water. "You know it's going to be a good night if I catch a fish," he added. Soon, small bass and bluegill were hitting. During summer, the group practices catch-and-release, mainly because, as Mark put it, "nobody wants to clean fish late at night." When ice fishing — when the fish are best eating — they keep moderate-sized bluegill and crappie and release the larger ones. The pond holds mostly 10- to 11-inch crappie and 8- to 9-inch bluegill. After four decades of fishing it, Mark has noticed that panfish size tends to run in cycles — large for a few years, then smaller. He isn't sure what causes the swings but believes water clarity plays a role. In wet years, runoff clouds the water, limiting sunlight and reducing aquatic vegetation. With fewer plants come fewer insects, and with less food the fish don't grow as quickly. As the evening wore on, the bantering and storytelling never let up. One frequent target was Steve — fortunately not in the boat that night — who has a reputation for being high-minded when it comes to fishing, spurning panfish "Yeah, it's got a little lead up front," he replied. "Just like you," Marty chimed in.