TO ALL NEBRASKANS:

This spring issue of "Outdoor Nebraska" is dedicated to all Nebraskans who through their sportsman clubs have played a major role in the preservation of our natural resources . . . and to the thousands of vacationists who will spend restful and entertaining hours at the numerous state parks and recreation grounds this spring and summer.

Vacationing In Nebraska Fascinates The McGregors

The friendly tune, "Dear Hearts and Gentle People," floating out of the radio of the McGregor car, echoed the feelings of all but one of the six McGregors as they rolled comfortably along the smooth surface of highway number 34, somewhere between Lincoln and Grand Island.

The one dissenter to the spirit of relaxed anticipation was the self-designated chief of the crew, Mrs. McGregor, who had been chattering above the voice of the radio ever since Omaha. In fact she was still speaking, "I don't care, Henry McGregor, what the Outdoor Nebraska map says, I say you are out of your head more than usual to drag me and the children around the prairies of Nebraska, wasting a perfectly good vacation we could be spending in Colorado. Now, Henry, stop trying to interrupt me, I know your little story by heart. We will save 50% of what we would spend in the mountains and we will see wonderful sights we have never dreamed of here in Nebraska. Well all I can say to you, Henry McGregor, is that the only reason I am doing this is just to show you how wrong you can be, and from now on I will plan our vacations."

And so it went on, mile after mile.

The first stretch came at Grand Island where Mr. McGregor noted in his Outdoor Nebraska map the location of the state-owned Stolley park, where an old original blockhouse still stands which protected the white settlers from the Indians. The McGregors enjoyed their visit with Mr. Markhofer, the Park superintendent, who pointed out the unusual collection of living plants and trees scattered throughout the Park, which is used primarily as a picnic area. That is, all but Mrs. McGregor who sat in the car. Henry did catch her peeking around at the Park when no one else seemed to be looking.

As the city of Grand Island faded behind them, and eager freckle-noses pointed toward the west, Henry made this retort, "That was a pretty little - -" only to be silenced by Mama's "Oh, Henry, you make me sick! Of course it is all right as parks go, but no different or prettier than that Gretna Hatchery you took us to one Sunday down near Omaha, nor that park at Nebraska City where Mr. Morton's Arbor Lodge is maintained, but what I want is a complete change of scenery."

Mrs. McGregor got her wish when the kids let out a war-whoop that made her stir from her lethargy. They were somewhere between Lexington and Elwood, on a little side trip that Henry had squeezed in when Mama wasn't looking. Indeed the kids spotted it first. "Oh, Daddy, Mommy, look, look! It's the ocean!" Well, Bobby could hardly be blamed for the comparison as he had never seen any lake larger than Carter Lake. As they drove through the roadways lined with young trees, planted by the Game Commission, across the long dam itself to another one of the Game Commission's developed areas, Mr. McGregor was inwardly

pleased to note that except for the kids' exclamations, the car was quiet for the first time since Omaha. In fact, as Henry and the kids started pulling in the big fighting crappies at the end of Johnson Lake, Mama stepped out of the parked car and was showing signs of excitement when little Helen caught her first crappie. This change of heart became more and more noticeable after similar stops at other man-made lakes scattered at random between Lexington and North Platte. Henry knew his map well and didn't miss any of them, Gallagher, Midway, Plum Creek and Jeffrey. Mama actually became noisy over the Tricounty Cape Cod development.

Another day of loafing at North Platte's Lake Maloney paid dividends in many ways, not to mention the "good" that the kids "got out of" the visit to the Game Commission's new brick Walleyed Pike Hatchery, where Superintendent Howard showed the "kids" how this, the largest of all the hatcheries, operates.

Henry was more than surprised when "Mama" acquiesced to another side trip, and a long one at that, from North Platte to the Commission's Wellfleet Lake, and then on for another afternoon of fishing and night sleep at the clean, but camp-like cabins at Hayes Lake on the picturesque stream where historic Duke of Alexis killed his last buffalo.

The next day they bade farewell to Superintendent Johnson at Hayes Lake, after paying only a minimum rental for their cabin, which seemed more than reasonable, even if the cabins were not completely modern.

It was later when the McGregors pulled into Nebraska's large State Trout Hatchery, where Superintendent Weiss drove the kids' excitement to the highest peak yet, by hand feeding the thousands of big rainbow trout that the Game Commission propagates there for the fishermen of the State. The kids showed their pleasures by tossing their own suppers to the trout and watching the prairie dogs. The prairie dog town was previously unknown to them. Mama and Henry walked arm in arm along the beautiful trout ponds to the upper ponds where Mr. Weiss had told them they would see one _ of the largest, clearest, natural artesian wells, which incidently, produced all the sparkling water for this trout hatchery.

It was with a new feeling of appreciation that McGregor headed north to the greatest wonder of the trip to date. The great overpowering dignity and beauty of Lake McConaughy, next to the largest earth dam in the world, Kingsley Dam, just to the north of the city of Ogallala. Oddly enough it was Mama McGregor who first spotted this big lake. With the first glimpse she threw her past attitudes to the winds with an exclamation of, "Oh Henry, and kids. Look at the sky blue lake. It looks so big you can't see across it! Oh, Henry, do look!" Henry was indeed looking with a sense of mingled pride, amazement and piscatorial anticipation. One day was all the schedule indicated for Lake McConaughy, but the McGregors agreed to forget the schedule as the new cabin was most comfortable and the big power boats on the lake were fine, not to compare, however, with the walleyes, crappies and white bass that they were catching.

On the way out west they took the road along the Lake to Lewellyn, pausing at the little cemetery by the Garden County bridge to see the original stone over the historic grave of the young girl who was killed by the Indians as she filled her pail with water at a nearby stream. Indeed this was but one of the many actual signs of the old Oregon Trail that the McGregors found   Outdoor Nebraska 5 throughout the remainder of the western Nebraska trip.

Something then happened that was climaxed a little farther on as the McGregor car eased over the smooth western highway, past Northport, and Bridgeport and the flat Nebraska plains began throwing up strange giant rock formations. The kids grew noisier and Mama McGregor grew silent. As Chimney Rock, Castle Rock, Jail House and Court House rocks were passed, finally the McGregor car pulled up to the top of the mountainous Scotts Bluff National Monument southwest of Gering. Even the kids were silent in awe at the beauty of the drive, which transformed them as into another world as they followed the paved highway up and up through curving tunnels of solid stone, high walls and deep canyons.

Leaving their car they climbed to the lookout point of,this historical natural monument where all western Nebraska comprising the fertile Platte Valley, chased itself off to meet the Laramie plains in the distance. Daddy McGregor was pointing out the hazy Laramie peak off to the west when he noticed Mama was sitting on a flat rock dabbing at her eyes. He left the kids and hurried over to his wife. "What's the matter mother, does the height bother you," he asked. Mother McGregor looked up with tears and now soft voice, "Henry McGregor, I'm sorry, so very sorry, I am falling in love with our beautiful State and I am so very ashamed of the way I criticized this trip. Henry, it is just lovely."

It was quite some time later that the McGregors finally drove back down the drive to the plains below where they paused to obtain a rather full education for all of them in the attractive Spanish-type Nebraska history museum maintained by the National Park Service.

From the Scotts Bluff National Monument, Henry McGregor followed the dictates of his Outdoor Nebraska map and took the modern highway that winds through the high hills and deep canyons that easily equalled Colorado or Wyoming scenery according to Mama McGregor.

On up to the rustic Wild Cat Hills picnic area and big game refuge, maintained by the State Game Commission under the watchful eye of its caretaker, Superintendent Hewitt. Mama McGregor did not want to leave this area, with its strange geologic formations and   6 Outdoor Nebraska beautiful pines and wild deer, but now she had faith enough in Henry's Nebraska tour so that with his assurance that there was just as wonderful lands beyond to the north in Outdoor Nebraska, she was more than willing.

Henry decided to take lesser used highways through Nebraska's antelope country at the far extreme of western Nebraska. His decision paid off well, not only did the kids get to see an honest to goodness wild antelope herd, but they spent many hours hunting for agates and fossils through the world's most productive fossil quarries near the town of Agate. And then it was on to Harrison through a wild and rustic beauty spot of Nebraska, quite different from other parts that they had traveled, until they had reached the city of Harrison, way to the north. They were glad that they had marked a brief stop at Monroe Canyon, where the family met for the first time the real Nebraska pine ridge country.

Then it was on to the old historic Fort Robinson at Crawford, now maintained by the Department of Agriculture. Along with a visit to Superintendent Mason of the Federal Trout Hatchery near Crawford, who, after a conducted tour through his beautiful hatchery, suggested that perhaps the McGregors should pause on their way to Chadron for a glimpse at Nebraska's huge adobe cliffs and its own badlands north of Crawford. Sure enough, there as if by a magic wand, the pine ridge dropped away temporarily to give away to the most weird masses of huge, eroded formations the McGregors had yet seen.

Chadron State Park and the hospitality of the Game Commission's Superintendent and Mrs. Snodgrass, had been described to Henry McGregor even back in Omaha, but the description had been grossly underrated as far as Henry was concerned. Because there in the heart of the pine covered hills and canyons, nestled a modern but natural haven of rest and peaceful nostalgia, clear running streams, long winding scenic drives, rustic swimming pool, and for the kids, endless miles of horseback trails. As for Mother McGregor, "Henry, it is just unbelievable. Just look at this cabin. Here we are, off by ourselves, and yet modern gas stoves with oven, gas refriegrator, hot and cold water, shower, modern toilet, and all the cooking equipment and clean bedding we need for home-like housekeeping. Oh, Henry, you've got to call the office for an extension of time on your vacation." And indeed these orders were followed with a full week in this vacation utopia. Sometimes there was dinner in the cabins, but if Mother McGregor was tired, they would eat at the rustic, but modern, clean cafeteria down the canyon in the Park.

Time has such a subtle way of skipping days in such a hideaway, and all too soon even the extension was over, and it was back home along the northern Nebraska route. But even the trip back was not the let-down that Mother McGregor had expected. First there was the stop at Shell Lake, for some real fishing in an area for the most part unmolested by the commercialization of man. And then a visit with Mr. Mendenhall and a trip over the Game Commission's beautiful Valentine Hatchery. Superintendent Mendenhall suggested that the McGregors also visit the Nebraska National Forest and the Valentine Federal Refuge in that area.

From Valentine it was on east and the hard surfaced highway led the McGregors through an unbelievable transformation from the rough, broken, pine covered hills of the west, to the endless, treeless, fenceless true sandhills of northern Nebraska. At first all of   Outdoor Nebraska 7 the McGregors were a little overcome with the loneliness and as Mother McGregor said, "A rather God-forsaken feeling." For there were apparently no people, mostly just an endless, tufted, green blanket. Henry being a bit of a, pioneer at heart couldn't believe that this was the feeling that one should have for this area. So, they started taking a few side trails to some of the listed sandhill lakes fed by artesian wells tucked away in the valleys of the hills. And sure enough, a winding sandhill trail would crawl up over a high grass hill to expose on the other side, a clear, cool lake awaiting the McGregors. Such lakes were not only a fisherman's paradise, but here Mother Nature was really at home with all the natural surroundings necessary to most every type of shore and water bird known to the McGregors, and many they had never heard of. It was on these side trails that they met some of the people who called these hills their home, and no friendlier humans were ever included in the McGregor's list of close friends than these fine people.

From there on, the country became more familiar, resembling that of their own areas as they proceeded east. Nightfall found the McGregors enjoying the hospitality in completely modern cabins of the Game Commission's Niobrara State Park, where Superintendent and Mrs. Jones invited them to enjoy fishing, boating and swimming in the Park, as well as the small golf course on this lovely island with its many tantalizing nature trails.

The last night was spent in an equally modern cabin at Ponca State Park where from the front screened-in porch the McGregor's could look down into Iowa and South Dakota on the other side of the old Missouri which separated them. Before taking regretful leave of Ponca Park, they had an interesting visit with Superintendent and Mrs. Heil, who pointed out that at all of the Commission's modern overnight parks the Commission also maintained modern large group camps for church, youth and civic groups.

The trip back to Omaha along the Missouri bluffs was in itself, different from all of the rest of the trip, but, of course, to the McGregors, was a familiar and welcome sight as home always looks good after a long trip, no matter where it may be.

The neighbors, of course, were on hand that evening to welcome the McGregors back and to find out how hard a beating Henry had taken at the long whip of his wife. Henry was trying to explain it all. "I tell you, fellows, we didn't see all of the old Cornhusker State. I wanted to hit the Bessey division of the Nebraska National Forest. I understand that it is a wonderful manmade forest, but that will come next year. But honestly, fellows, I have never taken a more interesting, restful, scenic trip, and, incidentally, never a more reasonable trip. It was just half of last year's cost.

"Well, Hank," interrupted Joe Larson, his neighbor on the left, "You've got to talk-up your scenic trip over Nebraska with 'always see Nebraska first' stuff, since you planned the trip. But what about Mrs. McGregor,- she's the real answer to the quality of the trip." "You know Hank, I—," Joe was interrupted by Mama McGregor, who was talking on the phone, "Excuse me, Sarah, these men were talking so loud I couldn't hear a word you were saying. Now you say you want me to talk to a Club Thursday at two o'clock? Well, I'll be glad to. The title of my talk? Oh, let's see. Let's call it 'Nebraska, Our Own Vacation Land'."

More Recreation Grounds

Nebraska vacationists and sportsmen have five more State-owned recreation grounds at which to spend leisure hours than they had one year previous. The recent additions to the recreation chain are Hull Lake, Atkinson Recreation Grounds, Crystal Lake at South Sioux City, Lake Quinnebaugh, and Smith Lake. This brings the total number of recreation grounds to 55. In addition there are seven State-owned parks.

Last year's attendance was probably the highest ever recorded in history and this mark is expected to be surpassed during the 1950 season. With few exceptions, all of the recreation grounds provide fishing, picnicking and various other types of outdoor sports.

Following is a complete list and location of the recreation grounds:

Arnold Lake, 1 mile south of Arnold on State Highway #40; Atkinson Recreation Grounds, one-half mile west of Atkinson; Ballards Marsh Land, 20 miles south of Valentine on U. S. Highway #183; Blue River Recreation Grounds, south bank of West Blue River between Milford and Dorchester on U. S. Highway #6; Bowman Lake, 1 mile west of Loup City on State Highway #92;

Champion Lake, at Champion on the" Frenchman River; Cottonmill Lake, 3 miles west of Kearney on State Highways #30 and #10; Cottonwood Lake, 1 mile east of Merriman; Crystal Lake Recreation Grounds, 1 mile north of Ayr on Little Blue River, State Highway #281 south from Hastings; Dead Timber Recreation Grounds, 1 mile east and one-half mile south of Crowell on the Elkhorn River, State Highway #275;

Duke Alexis, 12 miles northeast of Hayes Center on Red. Willow Creek; Fremont Recreation Grounds, 4 miles west of Fremont on U. S. Highway #30; Goose Lake, 25 miles south of O'Neill on State Highway #8 to Ewing, continue southwest 23 miles, or Highway #53 continuing north from Bartlett; Hord Lake, 1 mile east of Central City;

Hull Lake, 3 miles south and 2 west of Butte; Jefferson County Recreation Grounds, 4 miles east of Alexandria; Litchfield Recreation Grounds, 5 miles northwest of Hazard; Long Lake, 20 miles south of Ains worth; Memphis Lake, adjacent to Memphis;

Pawnee Lake, 2 miles west of Guide Rock on Highway #3; Pibel Lake, 12 miles northwest of Spalding, State Highways #13 and #14 to Spalding, continue 11 miles up the Cedar Valley; Platteview Recreation Grounds, adjacent to Louisville along Platte River; Pressey Recreation Grounds, 20 miles south of Broken Bow on South Loup River near Oconto;

Rat and Beaver Lakes, 30 miles south of Valentine; Ravenna Lake, 1 mile east of Ravenna on the Loup River; Rock1 Creek Lake, 5 miles north of Parks, State Highway #34 on Rock Creek; Shell Lake, 14 miles northeast of Gordon; Smith Lake Recreation Grounds, 23 miles southwest of Rushville; Verdon Lake, 1 mile west of Verdon on U. S. Highway #73;

Walgren Lake, 5 miles southeast of Hay Springs, State Highway #20 then 5 miles southeast; Wellfleet Lake, adjacent to Wellfleet on Medicine Creek, State Highway #23; Wildcat Hills, 10 miles south of Gering, State Highway #29; Willow Lake, approximately 20 miles south of Valentine; Box Elder Canyon, 14 miles southeast of No. Platte; Cottonwood Canyon, 6 miles south of Maxwell; Gallagher Canyon, 9 miles south of Cozad;

All-Time Record Crowds Predicted at State Parks

An all-time high of 350,000 to 400,000 people are expected to enjoy the attractions and splendors of Nebraska's coveted seven state-owned parks during the 1950 vacationing season. This total, if it becomes a reality as predicted, would exceed the previous high set in 1949 of 220,000. The growing popularity and eminence of the parks combined with many major improvements are expected to be the determining factors in the record attendance.

Additional group camps, cabins, modern playground equipment, better roads, and picnic facilities have been constructed so as to harmonize with the picturesque settings peculiar to each of the parks.

Park attendance has climbed steadily since 1945 when 81,996 vacationists and tourists viewed the attractions of the parks. Record attendance followed each succeeding year—122,310 in 1946, 140,000 in 1947, 201,855 in 1948, and 220,000 in 1949. Scenic Chadron park, nestled in the Pine Ridge area of northwestern Nebraska, was the No. 1 stop on the tourists' caravan with 61,125 visitors.

Chadron park, nine miles south of Chadron on state highway 19, consists of some 1,500 acres, the largest and most scenic of all the state parks. Thousands of acres of timbered canyons, densely populated with towering bluffs and stately pines provide beauty for all as nature has intended. The park is in the heart of the former empire of the mighty Sioux Indians. Cabins for   overnight vacationists, along with horseback riding, swimming and boating are available.

The original home of J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day, is preserved in the condition of bygone years at Arbor Lodge State Park off U. S. highway 75 at the outskirts of Nebraska City. The mansion, containing 52 rooms, is nationally famous. The grounds are padded with every known type of tree grown in Nebraska in addition to many other beautiful species found in other states and foreign countries.

Ft. Kearny, 10 miles southeast of Kearney on state highway 10, is the actual site of the historically famous Ft. Kearny army post. There travelers find the original parade grounds and remnants of the stockade and other fort buildings.

A heavily-wooded island of 400 acres, formerly settled by the traveling Mormans in 1846, comprises the Niobrara state park, one mile west of Niobrara on state highway 12. Its visitors find entertainment and relaxation in the cabins, boating, swimming and picnic facilities.

Ponca State Park, in the Ponca Indian country overlooking the Missouri river, has several hundred acres ol scenic forest covered lands. Shelters, lookouts, horseback trails, cabins and playgrounds are a few of the feature attractions. From this park visitors can see both the states of South Dakota and Iowa. Ponca park is four miles north of Ponca on state highway 9.

Stolley state park, site of the first exercising of squatter's rights in Nebraska in the year 1857, is three miles southwest of Grand Island on state highway No. 2. Two buildings of historical importance are preserved. They are Fort Independence, first building constructed for protection against the Indians, and the first school built in Hall county.

For those people interested in reserving cabins at the parks, a schedule of rates and available cabins follows on the next two pages.

Schedule of Park Rates

CABINS: 1 or 2 persons, $2.00 per day, $10.00 per week. All cabins are equipped with one double bed with linen and blankets, one sink, two chairs, running water, lights, two-burner natural gas plate, and gas heat. Ice is furnished at cost.

GROUP CAMP: Accommodations for 20-150 people. A $10.00 per week deposit is necessary when making reservations. Minimum charge of $5.00 per day. Cost per person is $.50 per day, $2.00 per week. The following accommodations are furnished:

Messhall—tables, gas cooking and heating stove, dishes, cooking equipment, water, lights.

Two barracks for sleeping quarters, 77 beds and mattresses, men's and ladies' rest rooms, hot and cold showers. No bedding furnished. Piano available at $1.00 per day, $5.00 per week.

SEND RESERVATIONS TO PAUL R. HEIL, PONCA STATE PARK, PONCA, NEBRASKA.

MODERN CABINS NOS. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 & 27: Two double beds—one or two persons at $4.00 per day, $24.00 per week; three or four persons at $5.00 per day, $30.00 per week. Extra cots with bedding $1.00 per day, $5.00 per week.

CABIN No. 1 (MODERN): One double bed, one or two persons at $2.50 per day, $12.50 per week. Equipped for light housekeeping.

CABIN (NOT MODERN) NO. 16: Three double beds. Equipped for light house-keeping. $30.00 per month.

CABINS (NOT MODERN) NOS. 18 & 19: One double bed. Equipped for light housekeeping. Rented by month only. No. 18 at $20.00 per month, No. 19 at $25.00 per month.

CABIN (NOT MODERN) NO. 20: Two double beds, one three-quarter bed. Equipped for light housekeeping. $25.00 per month. Fuel furnished at cast.

GROUP CAMP: Accommodates 50 to 200 people. One hundred persons is minimum. Cost per person $.50 per day, $2.00 per week. One hundred and thirty-seven beds and mattresses furnished. Butane gas kitchen equipment at $2.50 per day. Metered butane gas at the following rates: First 200 cu. ft. @ $1.00 per 100 cu. ft. Additional gas @ $.40 per 100 cu. ft. Minimum charge for gas $2.00 per day. Walk-in refrigerator $2.50 per day.

Swimming facilities, horseback riding, boats and minnows are available.

SEND RESERVATIONS TO L. M. SNODGRASS, CHADRON STATE PARK, CHADRON, NEBRASKA.

CABINS: Three rooms—one or two persons. Five small cabins, east side, at $4.00 per day, $24.00 per week. Four large cabins at $5.00 per day, $30.00 per week. Extra cots with bedding $1.00 per day, $5.00 per week. Extra cots without bedding $.50 per day, $2.50 per week.

All cabins equipped with one double bed and two cots and equipped for light housekeeping.' Dishes and bedding furnished.

Everyone renting cabins has use of the following at no extra cost: Hot and cold showers, six-hole golf course, swimming pool, and fishing (regular fishing permit required).

LOG SHELTER: $3.00 per day, $15.00 per week.

MESS HALL alone: $5.00 for one evening. $7.50 for one day and evening. Fuel furnished.

GROUP CAMP: Accommodates 20-150 persons. Minimum group of 20, minimum charge $5.00 per day, $40.00 per week. Per person $.50 per day, $2.00 per week.. Following accommodations are furnished: mess hall, tables, stove, dishes, cooking equipment, water, light, 96 cots and mattresses, hot and cold showers, mens' and ladies' rest rooms, fuel two (20' x 70') barracks accommodating 96, one (20' x 48') barracks for sleeping quarters and one (16' x 24') barracks for sleeping quarters.

BOATS: $1.50 per day or $1.00 per one-half day or $.35 per hour.

MINNOWS: $.25 per dozen straight.

SEND RESERVATIONS TO H. E. JONES, NIOBRARA STATE PARK, NIOBRARA, NEBRASKA.

CABINS: Three 3-rooms, one or two persons at $2.50 per day or $12.50 per week, bedding and dishes furnished. Extra cots with bedding at $1.00 per day, $5.00 per week. Extra cots without bedding at $.50 per day, $2.50 per week. Fuel and ice furnished at actual cost of production and delivery. Showers without cost for all using cabins.

MESS HALL BUILDING: $2.50 per day minimum charge. $.25 per day per person. No weekly rates. Forty-eight cots and mattresses furnished.

BOATS: $1.50 per day, $1.00 per half day, and $.35 per hour.

MINNOWS: $.25 per dozen straight.

SEND RESERVATIONS TO DALLAS JOHNSON, HAYES CENTER RECREATION GROUNDS, HAYES CENTER, NEBRASKA.

This Spring issue of "Outdoor Nebraska", published by the Nebraska Game, Forestation and Parks Commission, marks an achievement unprecedented in the magazine's history. Due to popular request and the desire of disseminating fishing and hunting problems and accomplishments to a greater number of sportsmen, the Nebraska Game Commissioners unanimously approved the sales of the magazine on news stands throughout the state. Previous to this issue, the only sales of "Outdoor Nebraska" were by subscriptions entered with the Lincoln office of the Game Commission.

This issue, and all subsequent issues of "Outdoor Nebraska", has been doubled in size—48 pages. Previous issues were 24 pages. Due to the increase in size and costs, it is necessary to boost the subscription price. Since the initial publication, many years back, and all through the war years, the magazine subscription price remained the same. The new subscription rates are 50 cents for one year (four copies) or $2.00 for five years (20 copies). Even with the increase the magazine sells below that of similar magazines.

As it is the aim to present to the readers stories of interest regarding the outdoors, everyone is cordially invited to submit suggestions and criticisms. These will be received with great appreciation.

Publication dates of issues are Winter, Jan. 1; Spring, April 1; Summer, July 1; and Fall, October 1.

Eastern Nebraska Angler Learns Why's, Why Not's

During recent years I have made it a habit to go fishing at least once a week during the fishing season and sometimes two and even three times a week. And this season I plan to follow the same pleasure-making routine only now more equipped with increased vigor and enthusiasm. In past years I have been a very dissatisfied angler. I lived in the eastern part of the state and that alone seemed to indicate what kind of success I had the misfortune to experience. I always succeeded in catching some fish, yes, but the majority of those were small in size. There were, of course, some exceptions. I caught a couple of nice catfish in the Blue river last spring—one weighed 12 pounds and the other seven. I even had the good luck to win a battle with a five-pound bass in a nearby sand pit. But those small fish, there were so many of them.

I just couldn't make myself realize why there was such a big difference between fishing in the eastern and western parts of the state. Out in western Nebraska there is a big number of particularly outstanding fishing waters, many of which are natural, but many of which are also man-made. Why couldn't we have a decent place to fish here in eastern Nebraska, a place where we could catch "real" fish, fish that were big enough and plentiful enough to be any angler's prize? This question was constantly running through my mind. I had remembered reading an article where the largest percentage of license buyers lived in the eastern part of the state. If this was true, why didn't we who live in the east at least receive our share of the lakes.

I lived in Lincoln at the time and still do. Oak Creek lake, about one mile from town, was the nearest fishing spot. It fell far short of being any fishing   Outdoor Nebraska 15 paradise. The Blue river was about 19 miles from Lincoln, Memphis lake about 24, and the Platte river 25. Those were the major fishing waters, major in the sense that they were the best of a poor lot of fishing spots. The "really" good places to toss in the line were more than 100 miles from town. I could go there once or twice a year but that was all, the expense and time element was too great to afford more excursions of great length. So consequently I did most of my fishing at Oak Creek lake and the nearby rivers and sand pits. I tired of catching small fish and working muddy rivers. I decided to do some investigating and I did. I now assure you I'm a lot more appreciative of what we have here in eastern Nebraska than ever before.

I learned many things, all of which helped to satisfy my unhappiness. I discovered that the big majority of fish caught in our eastern waters were stocked at one time and that the cost of such fish to the Game Commission was amazingly high. A trout for example, some of which are planted annually in the state lakes at Fremont and Louisville, cost 34 cents each to be stocked. The cost of stocking other fish, though not as costly as the trout, was still high. There is little reproduction in our shallow lakes and muddy streams. I found out that if I caught ten good-sized fish during the season I more than received the equivalent paid for my license.

The fishing pressure, though not news to me, was and remains so heavy that large fish are caught shortly after they are stocked. It would be virtually impossible to supply large fish to meet the demand of every angler. I inquired why we don't have more lakes in this sector of the state. There were many reasons, all of which appeared influential. The water supply, for instance, is far from being adequate to accommodate more waters, let alone suffice for what we have now. There just aren't any large springs or clear water streams. The rivers and streams are too muddy to be proper habitat for any species other than the catfish, bullheads, carp and other rough fish. I learned to my amazement that the Blue river, also Turkey creek, were once fine homes for trout, bluegill and bass. And that the Blue river actually was named for the clear, blueness of the water. Both of the streams are now heavily loaded with silt. The reasons for this, I discovered, are many. There is little control of silt on farms; meadows and pastures—formerly holding the soil from being carried off—are now plowed up and being planted with other crops; trees have been cut down; and the rivers straightened and widened. The latter change enables the stream to carry more water and consequently more silt. It destroys spawning and resting places for the fish and eliminates much of the natural food.

Most of the rivers in the eastern part of the state have their origin in the western and northern portions of Nebraska. By the time they reach our locality they have picked up huge quantities of silt and changed to warmer temperatures. Fish won't grow just anywhere. They need a suitable habitat. This having satisfied one question, I asked another. I wanted to know if any steps were being taken to improve our eastern Nebraska fishing to any degree. I happily learned that good lake sites are being sought. Before a fishing water becomes a reality, the site must be near to an adequate water supply which is free of silt. The site must permit a lake of deep enough size so asto assure freedom from freezing out in the winter and drying out in the summer. Deep lakes or waters are a necessity for productive fishing. I also learned that the state is maximizing its efforts in the goal of better fishing by dredging lakes and attempting to control silt. The state is experimenting with walleye reintroduction to the Blue river. It has also stocked some of the same species in Carter and Oak Creek lakes. If the fish thrive they will in all probability be stocked in other like eastern Nebraska waters.

The last encouraging information I received was that not all of the state   record fish are being caught in western waters. The largemouth bass record catch of 9 pounds, 3 ounces was caught in an eastern sand pit; the 2-pound, 8-ounce bluegill, two ounces under the accepted world record, was pulled out from the Monroe power canal as was a 40-pound yellow catfish; another 40-pound cat was landed from the Little Blue river; and the record 32-pound buffalo was taken from the Blue near the Wilber dam. Though the big percentage of fish caught in eastern Nebraska are not large, a sizeable number could be a proud boast of any angler.

I'm going fishing at Oak Creek lake and the nearby rivers and sand pits, now satisfied that I have as good a fishing spot as possible. I learned a new trick in catching carp which will lend much thrill to the sport. Instead of loading the hook with corn, I'll just place one kernel on it. The carp, instead of nibbling around, makes one wild grab for the corn and takes off at mad speed. I'll pull back my rod and secure the hook in the carp's tender mouth. It'll put up a desperate struggle and then change its course. The line will slacken and take appearance that the fish escaped. Then the battle will resume and before I reel it ashore I will have had a thrill that was anything but dull. I hadn't previously cared much for carp. They were too bony. That was until I learned a simple method to fry them by which the small bones are all but non-existant. I can cut the carp into two pieces, laying each half with its external side face up. By cutting into the fleshy part of the meat, at quarter-inch intervals, and from the fins down to the lateral line, beginning behind the head and continuing to the end of the ribs, and then frying in deep grease, the small bones take shape like those found in salmon.

I'm going to continue catching the little ones and the carp, but I'll also take my share of the big fish. Our eastern Nebraska fishing might not be on par with other sections, but that which we have is better than not any at all, and I know the commission is doing all in its power to improve eastern Nebraska's fishing.

Negative Actions Attacking Dwindling Resources Listed

As conservation progresses in one direction overcoming various obstacles, negative forces are gnawing at our dwindling resources from other directions. In an attempt to acquaint all Nebraskans with the ensuing problems, the following tabulation of some of these obstacles and negative forces existant in certain areas throughout the country are listed:

The plowing under of grass and the cutting of shrubs and trees where such soil coverings are most essential.

Erosion from wind and water due to overgrazing and mal-farm pastures.

Siltation resulting from the above negative activities.

Polution of waters by even our more progressive cities.

Poor farmer-hunter relationships created by thoughtless or careless hunters and fishermen.

Private leasing of good hunting and fishing areas to the exclusion of the less fortunate.

Attempted subjugation of sound game management by a few selfcentered pressure or political groups.

The tendency of some individuals and certain groups to analyze State Game activities from the local or personal standpoint rather than the over-all state problems and needs.

The difficulty of making game management problems and emergencies conform to Legislative assignments which, though most cooperative and conscientious at their introduction, may prove inadequate or restrictive during unforeseen natural emergencies, during the two-year interim.

A growing selfishness and lack of due appreciation of public care of State constructed public areas.

The difficulty of agreeably separating each year a few possible areas for development from the scores of generous but some times over zealous offers received of areas not conforming to the limitations of practical developmental procedures.

The demands for, but difficulties in locating and development of good productive eastern lake areas.

The overcoming of extremely high fishing pressures in the eastern portions of the state by increasing production of large-sized fish in adequate numbers.

The increasing loss of top Commission personnel to other state and federal agencies with higher salary schedules and the difficulty of obtaining efficient replacements for the same reason.

The failure of many people to realize that conservation is not just the responsibility of the conservation agencies but of each and every progressive minded individual.

Fly Tying Popularity Grows; Tools and Methods Explained

Since the second semester of 1948-49 the fly tying classes have proved their popularity as indicated by a nice enrollment each semester.

The objective of the class is to teach the fundamental skills of fly tying so that a student may have a useful hobby or recreation after graduation. This fits in with the University's Physical Education Department's policy of a wide variety of classes offered to the student. Even the physically handicapped students can, and may, compete with any other member of the class on an even basis.

Besides fitting in with the -department's policies, it is our aim to cooperate with the State Fish and Game Commission in providing students with an insight into the Nebraska situation, so that they will know what it is to find good fishing and hunting in Nebraska. We do this by inviting, each semester, a member of the Fish and Game department to visit the class and give us a lecture on the Nebraska situation.

It is also our hope that the students, upon graduation, will provide the state with teachers for youngsters who will teach the desirable attitudes and practices of conservation. In my humble opinion, the Fish and Game commission is doing their best with the limited staff to educate the people of Nebraska with desirable attitudes and practices so that there will be a desire on the part of the citizens to obey regulations at all times.

The one nice thing about fly tying is that the equipment is rather inexpensive and there are not many necessary pieces of equipment to purchase. The first and most important is the selection of a vise. We have several models at the University, but the one we have purchased for use can be adjusted for height and can be used either for the left-handed or the right-handed person. The operation is quick and simple.

In Scotland and England, people tying flies have gotten along for years without using a vise, holding the hook in their hands. This may work in a place where labor is cheap, but in the states where labor is high, everyone is anxious to turn out good products in a short time, all kinds of vises are available. It is best, if you are tying large and small flies to have two vises. One for small hooks and one for large.

The second item that comes up in the selection of equipment in my opinion, is the hackle pliers. Again you want one that has a point and is not too sharp so that it would pinch the feathers. It is also well to have one large pair and one small pair. The large one, of course, are for the large feathers and the small ones work much better on the small hackles. After you select your hackles which should be of the best quality, the next item is scissors.

Again I suggest two pairs. One, a small sharp-pointed scissors and the other a small curved pair. Another item you could use and not be out a great extent is a used razor blade. Along with the scissors you need a stilleto in the form of a large needle stuck into a wooden or plastic handle.

You can economize on this next item with the desired efficiency. Some fellows place their spool of thread in a bobbin and they are convenient and very nice but not necessary if one is cutting corners on spending money on equipment.

Most of the equipment if put out by reliable concerns is reasonably durable, and with reasonable care should last a person indefinitely. Like any   other equipment that is not used properly, breakage will occur. My advice to a beginner is to secure good equipment, but to practice on inexpensive material at first. Then, after you know what you are doing, go to work on your more expensive materials.

Prepared beeswax is nice to use on fly tying thread.

First of all, the-flies are tied with the idea in mind to resemble the insect life that the fish feed on.

The first thing to know in the selection of fly tying material is that a large amount of the material may be picked up by the person himself. A lot of nice feathers come from ladi'es hats when they throw them away. By asking an embarrasing question, you may receive them as a gift. The better hackles are from roosters that are about two years old and taken in December. Peacock feathers make nice body material. Deer hair also makes a nice fly. Cork can be used by using sandpaper and the hump backed hook, to make nice popper bugs. Squirrel tails and civet cat tails make different colored flies of a different kind and are always nice. By using silk thread chopped fur will stick to it. Other material nice for tying such as the gray nymph is tinsel, a material that can be used to attract the fish.

Feathers from pheasant wings and neck are used in making certain patterns. The best of these is the golden pheasant's crest which is used in making the tails of many of the flies. Ostrich feathers, duck wings, and raffia are used for making the body parts. Horsehair which is taken from the tail or mane of a horse is also used at times. There are many, many materials used in fly tying. In fact, almost anything can be converted at sometime or another. Some of our boys go down to the zoo and talk with the caretakers and arrange to pick up the different colored feathers after they are shed by the pets at the zoo and use them.

Sometimes a small rubber band is tied on the fly to resemble a mouse. The body part is made of deer hair. Quail, turkey and goose feathers are also used. These are, of course, taken during the legal season. Chenile of all sizes is used in making bodies of the flies.

Lacquer is used to hold the thread to the hooks. Some of the married men in the class get to their wife's supply of clear nail polish and find it makes a nice lacquer for finishing the head of the fly. Different colors of paint are used in makirig the bass bugs. Some of the boys are now using luminous paint so that the bugs will glow at night and attract the fish that way. Many different kinds of thread can be used— even striped thread.

Small hooks catch small fish as a general rule. Of course, there are exceptions. Sometimes a small hook will catch a good sized fish.

Most people receive an immense amount of satisfaction in designing or creating a new model. Every man enjoys making a super-duper creation of his own. To him it may look like a fish's dream but to the innocent bystander it may appear more like a nightmare.

This is a step by step process, and I would advise the beginner to have a model to look at while he is making it. He can do this by purchasing one or by cutting one out of a fly catalog and pasting it where he can look at it. Material needed would be for the tail, a few wisps of a crest of a golden pheasant. The next is two or three sections of a peacock herl, some red silk floss, two white wings, a round hackle and hook and thread. The procedure for tying, is to first tie on the thread. A small amount of lacquer on the thread is necessary to prevent it from turning on the hook.

Next, tie on one or two peacock herls depending on the size of the fly you are tying. Wind the herl around the hook for a smooth even body and fasten with one or two half-hitches.

Next, tie on the silk floss. This will be tied about the body, 1/2 size of the peacock herl. Next tie on one or two strands of peacock herl and wind so that it will be the same size as the first one on. Next, tie on the white wings. Tie on the hackle and wind around the hook back of the wings, making the distribution about even, front and back of the wings. Finish up with the head and tie up with a whip-finish knot.

Put on the lacquer, and, using a stilleto dig out the eye of the hook and you have a finished product.

There are a few individuals in the country who make a living by tying flies, and by selling all kinds of fly tying equipment. There are several individuals in Lincoln, Nebraska, doing this sort of work. Most of them prefer to use the flies that they make themselves, although they enjoy making the flies.

This class isn't necessarily for sissies, judging by the athletes who have taken this course. Such outstanding athletes as Jim McConnell, Tom Novak, Alex Fink, Jack Pesek, and others have taken this course. It is a source of satisfaction to make a fly and then go and catch a fish with it.

Johnson Reservoir Area No. 1, 7 miles southwest of Lexington; Johnson Reservoir Area No. 2, 10 miles southwest of Lexington; Johnson Lake No. 2, 7 miles south of Lexington below power house No. 2; Lonergin Creek Area, 1 mile west of Lemoyne;

McConaughy Lake Area #3, 4 miles north of Ogallala; Maloney Lake, 5 miles southwest of North Platte; Midway Area No. 1, 8 miles southwest of Cozad; Midway Area No. 2, 8 miles southwest of Cozad; Midway Area No. 3, 8 1/2 miles southwest of Cozad; Otter Creek, 30 miles northwest of Ogallala; Plum Creek Area No. 1, 15 miles south of Cozad; Plum Creek Area No. 2, 16 miles south of Cozad; Sutherland Lake Inlet Area, 7 miles southwest of Sutherland; Sutherland Lake Outlet Area, 7 miles southwest of Sutherland.

1949 Stocking Sets Record More Large Fish Planted Than Any Previous Year

One of the greatest stocking programs ever carried out by the Nebraska Game Commission was executed during 1949. This was revealed in an annual report compiled by Glen Foster, supervisor of state fisheries. Though the total number stocked during the year fell short of equalling the all-time high, the significance of last year's program was that those fish stocked ran considerably larger than ever before.

Stocking fish, though it is of major importance, was only one of the many projects undertaken by the Game Commission to improve fishing for Nebraska anglers. Seining crews removed rough fish from waters to provide more room and food for game fish; construction crews dredged lakes and constructed others; and the biology division made important discoveries of animal and plant plankton in the reservoirs in addition to finding a thermocline at 50 feet in McConaughy reservoir.

The 1949 stocking program placed 4,042,282 fish in waters throughout the state. Of this number, 226,200 were trout obtained from the federal hatchery at Crawford. State fish stocked on federal applications numbered 56,195, state fish for kids' fishing contests 27,475, and federal fish on federal applications 75,088. The remaining number were fish salvaged from drying or otherwise undesirable waters.

Nebraska's newest hatchery at North Platte set the pace for the state-owned fisheries in production, turning out 1,806,436 fish-—walleyes, northern pike, bass and bluegill. Production at the other hatcheries was 861,160—bass, bluegill, bullheads, crappie and brown trout—at Valentine; 167,366—bass, bluegiils, bullheads, channel catfish, blue catfish and crappies—at Gretna; and 229,605—bass, bluegill, crappie, bullheads and rainbow trout—at Rock Creek.

The seining crew removed and transferred 130,807 fish of all species during the year. It salvaged 600,626 from irrigation canals, low lakes and bayous which were later stocked in other waters.

Following is a complete list of the number of fish stocked in each county during 1949:

The Sportsman-Bottleneck to Better Hunting, Fishing

o you remember the song "I'm My i Grandpa?" We could change the cs a little and come up with one sportsmen—"I'm My Own Worst my!" Most hunters and fishermen > read this are going to be shocked perhaps hurt when they find out : conservation leaders throughout country consider them one of the it important, if not the most imtant stumbling block in the way of ;er hunting and fishing. In fact, ie of these sportsmen have practiy dedicated their lives to fighting inst the very things that they think f are fighting for. Sounds like ble talk, doesn't it? But it isn't ble talk; it's the sad truth.

Within the past 20 years, sportsmen's 3S have sprung up all over the counand they have become affiliated [ federated to such an extent that y can now exert considerable prese upon state conservation departits. In some states, they have bele so powerful that the more imtant policies and key personnel of conservation department must meet h the approval of the organized rtsmen. What has been the result this new power and this "coopera" interference upon the part of iters and fishermen? It has meant a mge, in many cases, from scientific ne, and fish management to nonmtific management based upon selfdesires, political propwash, univen lay ideas and oftentimes wild :sses.

ilany of the resolutions adopted by irtsmen's groups are preposterous. A ge club in one of the eastern states >sed a resolution and sent it to the lservation commission suggesting that i commission erect a two-foot woven wire fence along all main highways in the state as a means of reducing highway mortality of cottontail rabbits. This state has 41,000 miles of paved highways. In order to erect the fence as suggested, the department would have to spend all of its income for several years, and probably the repair bill alone would have kept it in the red until the project was finally abandoned. And of course, it is obvious that it would have been next to impossible to carry out the idea anyway, since many, many openings for farm lanes and other entrances would nullify its value.

This is just one resolution but typical of many thousand like it (some are even more unreasonable) which the sportsmen in all sincerity submit as management plans to improve their sport. Nearly every sportsman seems to have some pet idea of his own which he believes to be a panacea for all. conservation ills. And almost any member of a club who is well-liked and respected can get sufficient backing to pass his suggested resolution. Thus they continue to pour in, from individuals, from small clubs and even from national organizations.

What do the trained wildlife leaders think of all this? They think that American sportsmen have more ego than any other similar group of people in the world. What other group comprising so many millions of men could boast that every member is an expert in the particular field of interest? Where else could you find untrained men with sufficient egotism to tell others with years of academic and practical training in their field how to run their business? Do these hunters and fishermen stop to tell engineers how to build highways and bridges? Do they tell their doctor that they don't have appendicitis but that it's gall stones instead? Do they tell their dentist that a tooth doesn't need to be filled just because   Outdoor Nebraska 26 he says it does? Do they argue and disagree with chemists, pharmacists, lawyers or even expert tradesmen such as carpenters, mechanics, plumbers and electricians? No, because they realize that these men have had years of training and experience which qualify them to do their job well. These hunters and fishermen also realize that they themselves, have had little or no training in these fields and therefore are not qualified to criticize or suggest.

And yet, without any training whatsoever in the field of wildlife management, these same hunters and fishermen set themselves up as experts to criticize and damn and fight the efforts of professionally trained wildlife men all over the country. Most of the wildlife leaders, the technicians and the research workers have had six to eight years of college work the same as engineers, doctors, lawyers and dentists. Why a layman will place his life in the hands of his doctor with complete confidence, and not even trust his- sport in the hands of another man with a similar amount of professional training is difficult to understand.

What are some of the ways hunters and fishermen are hurting their own sport? There are an endless number of examples of their shortsightedness and stubbornness, but one or two will suffice to illustrate the point.

It should be understood, first of all, that reference will be made here only to those activities of sportsmen as pressure groups'—their attempts to interfere with sound, scientific as well as common sense management of wildlife. The fact that many hunters and fishermen break the conservation laws and thus adversely affect their own sport and that of others is another story.

Everyone has heard of the deer problem which is probably the greatest single management headache that wildlife men have to face in the nation today. But it is a misnomer to call it a deer problem, because it is actually a hunter problem. Management sounds simple, and would be simple, but the   Outdoor Nebraska 27 hunters of most states where deer are overly abundant will not agree to permit the conservation departments to manage the herds scientifically and sensibly in many cases. They object to shooting does, and because only the bucks are harvested year after year, the herds increase beyond all reasonable proportions.

Here in a nutshell is why it doesn't pay to permit deer to become overabundant. When deer become too numerous they so deplete the browse supply in the forests that there is insufficient food of the proper quality to support this large number in a normal, healthful condition.

In agriculture, we save only a small part of the crop as seed, and utilize the rest, knowing that next year the seed will produce another crop to harvest. With our deer in some states, we harvest a small number which would correspond to the farmers' seed, and leave the main crop to die and rot. Is this sensible management? If a state has 300,000 mature does in its herd, and if each of these does is capable of producing one to two fawns each when well fed, then it is reasonable to think that as many as 150,000 to 200,000 of these should survive until the hunting season in the fall, and that a number equivalent to this annual production could be harvested every year without reducing the productive capacity of the herd in the slightest!

But in spite of the fact that conservation departments in deer states have made careful studies and have begged and implored the sportsmen, practically on bended knee, to listen to reason, they remain firm, and stubborn, and determined to see their deer hunting reduced to nothing. The fact that the deer only weigh about half as much as they did forty years ago means nothing; that the antlers are reduced to matchstick proportions is of no significance; and that dozens of dead deer in every wintering yard is merely game department propaganda. Could Shakespeare have been thinking about sportsmen when he had Puck make his famous observations about mortals?

In the east, the sportsmen are still forcing the game department to import cottontail rabbits from Missouri for release, even though one research study after another has shown that the survival is low, and that the native stock is more than adequate without any imported additions.

These are just two examples picked at random to illustrate the distrust that hunters and fishermen seem to have for the wildlife profession. It is not uncommon to hear a hunter say that the game department of his state is trying to ruin the hunting and intimates that there must be an epidemic of insanity in the department. It would take a psychologist to explain why hunters and fishermen imagine that the men who have dedicated their lives to conservation work, who are working for sportsmen and being paid by the sportsmen's money, could possibly want to ruin their sport. What possible motive could they have and what could they gain? Even if a wildlife specialist felt no obligation to the sportsmen, his desire for success in his profession would certainly stimulate him to his best efforts. Surely a sportsman who will take a moment to think will see that such reasoning must be false.

In spite of this fraternal spanking, the intent of this article is not to criticize the organization of sportsmen nor the federation of sportsmen's clubs as such, because this organizing and meeting of good fellows with a lot in common is the proper thing to do. Hunters and fishermen enjoy each other's companionship, and they like to get together to work and swap ideas. And, with the potential influence of their millions of members, the sportsmen's clubs are capable of accomplishing much toward the conservation and restoration of our natural, resources. The only point of criticism of these groups is that certain of their activities are misdirected. Instead of saying, "Here's what we want you to do" to their conservation departments, they might better say, "What would you

"Outdoor Nebraska Quiz

You are invited to try your skill in answering these pictorial questions. Count one for each question answered correctly. A score of eight is excellent; six is good; five is fair; and four or below is poor. For answers see page 44.

Game Commission Activities ... Many and Varied

Activities of the Nebraska, Game, Forestation and Parks Commission are many and varied. With the exception of appropriations made by the Nebraska legislature for park maintenance, the commission's operating funds are derived from permit sales. No funds are derived from taxes.

The state's enviable fish and game population, as well as all state lakes, recreation grounds and state parks, are the end products of the activities of the commission. The needs of the state are met by the commission through the medium of well developed fish hatcheries, salvage, planting and construction crews and a game farm. "Better homes for wildlife" are being developed through wide-spread cover plantings. New methods and answers to game problems are constantly being probed by commission research biologists.

Seven commissioners representing all portions of the state and appointed for five-year terms by the governor, constitute the policy-making body of the commission. They in turn appoint the executive secretary who directs the working force of the commission.

Six divisions—fisheries, game, lands and waters, law enforcement, publicity and education, and administration—make up the commission's departments. Each division has a supervisor who directs the particular assignments of his group.

The fisheries division has five hatcheries under its jurisdiction. They are at Valentine, Parks, North Platte, Benkelman, and Gretna and together produce trout, bass, bluegill, crappie, bullheads, catfish, rock bass, walleye and northern pike for stocking purposes. The commission is continually trying to acquire additional waters and lands for free fishing and hunting. The division's seining crew removes, salvages and transfers fish from undesirable or overpopulated waters to more suitable waters and supplies bullheads for the growing number of kids' fishing contests. The fisheries research department checks waters in the state to best determine the suitability of fish for certain waters and also investigates lakes with reference to diseases and overstocking.

Seven state parks and 55 recreation grounds are maintained by the lands and waters division. Its construction crew carries out all construction work of the department; the forestry crew plants, cultivates and trims trees, and maintains areas; and the survey crew handles all the survey and drafting work. The supply depot at Lincoln carries supplies for all activities of the Commission.

The game farm at Norfolk is part of the game division. There pheasants are raised for restocking needing areas. This division handles all work under the Pittman-Kobinson act which includes investigations on upland game and fur-bearing animals. The law enforcement division, consisting of 23 district wardens and a supervisor, officiates game regulations and assists sportsmen in their hunting and fishing problems. Publicity and education publishes new releases, the quarterly "Outdoor Nebraska" magazine, and other material along with conducting an education program aimed at acquainting all with fishing and hunting techniques, good sportsmanship, conservation, and the most efficient use and appreciation of state fishing and hunting grounds. The administration division works with all divisions in completing their respective programs.

Fishing Regulations Revised; Size Limit On Pike Boosted

The 1950 fishing regulations for Nebraska, set at the February meeting of the Nebraska Game Commissioners in Lincoln, varied little from the regulations for the preceding year. Only minor changes were made.

Size limit on northern pike was extended to 16 inches. Previously it was 12 inches.

Requirements of commercial nets was revised to read: It shall be illegal for any person holding a Seining-Vendor Permit to use or have in possession wing nets, dip nets, basket traps, gill nets, traps, or any other device than regular hoop nets, trammel nets, seins, or trot lines made of non-metallic cord as provided for by law.

Medicine Creek reservoir in Frontier County, Enders reservoir in Chase county, and Swanson lake in Hitchcock county were closed to fishing until further change by the Commission.

Elm Creek in Webster county was added to the list of streams which are closed to spearing and to the seining of bait, at all times, and closed to fishing from November 1 to March 31, inclusive.

A few of the terms used in the regulations are repeated to acquaint anglers with their actual meanings:

TOTAL BAG AND POSSESSION LIMIT: No more than 25 game fish of all kinds combined may be taken in any one day, nor more than 25 game fish of all kinds combined be had in possession at any time, excepting perch. No limit on perch.

OPEN AREA: Where "All State" is open, this does not include private lakes closed to the public or areas closed by any Federal or State Law or City Ordinance.

DAILY BAG: "Daily Bag Limit" means fish taken from midnight to midnight.

POSSESSION LIMIT: "Possession Limit" means fish in possession of any person at anytime.

RETURNING FISH TO WATER: All fish caught that are under the legal size limits as ispecified on the following page, and all fish legally taken that are not to be counted in the bag limit, must be returned immediately to the water with as little injury as possible.

LENGTH OF FISH: The "Total Length" of a fish shall be used when determining the size limits. Total length shall be found by measuring from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

WEIGHT OF FISH: All reference to weights in these regulations mean undressed weights with head, tail and fins

SALES OF FISH: No species of fish may be sold from private fish hatcheries in Nebraska, except trout, for purpose other than propagation, and where sold for propagation, invoices furnished by the Commission must be used and a report made to the Commission covering all sales at the end of each quarter of the year.

TRANSPORTING MINNOWS: It shall be unlawful for any person to transport live minnows out of the State in any manner.

DESTROYING OR DAMAGING STATE PROPERTY: It is unlawful to injure trees or shrubs, to pick flowers or ferns, to mar, deface, or remove any of the natural or structural features in any State-Owned or controlled area.

LEGAL NETS, TRAPS, AND OTHER DEVICES: The possession or use of any and all nets, traps, or other devices is illegal with the following exceptions:

1. Commercial nets used in the Missouri river under special provisions of Section 37-502.

2. Minnow nets of non-metallic mesh, one-fourth inch square measure and not over 20 feet long and four feet deep.

3. Minnow dip nets of non-metallic mesh, one-fourth inch square measure and with a throat of not over 12 inches in diameter.

4. Landing nets used only for landing fish caught on hook and line, with a throat of 16 inches or less and nonmetallic mesh of not less than one inch square measure, and with a handle of not over four feet in length.

5. Minnow and bait traps with a length not to exceed 24 inches and a diameter of not to exceed 16 inches with an opening in the throat of the trap not larger than one and one-half inches in diameter. All minnow traps shall be raised and minnows removed from them at least every 24 hours.

All of the other regulations listed on the 1949 Fishing Regulations remain intact. For those desiring complete copies of the new regulations either write the Game Commission office or check with your local license dealer. Printed copies of the regulations are expected to be ready for release by April 20.

Sportsman Clubs in Nebraska Increase in Number, Activities

Throughout the state of Nebraska there is an ever-increasing number of outdoor enthusiasts, many of whom are participating in the organization of new sportsman clubs and the expansion of others. To date there are approximately 110 active clubs scattered throughout the state, some of which are lirnited to local confines but others of which have state and national affiliations. Some have tremendous memberships, such as the Lincoln County Wildlife club which boasts approximately 1,400 members and the Omaha Wildlife club represented by nearly as many members. Then there are smaller clubs, small in membership but not in activities.

Motives and aims of the various clubs run along a common channel. Some of the major objectives are to provide aid and support for the protection and restoration of our natural resources—soil, woods, waters and wildlife; help increase the opportunities for outdoor recreation and safeguard public health; hunt and fish in accordance with law; learn the basic fundamentals of perfected hunting and fishing; respect property rights of others; get unified opinions in regard to outdoor sports; conduct educational programs on conservation; promote kids' fishing contests; help in the restoration of wildlife; and endeavor to get in closer contact with the Game Commission whereby suggestions and criticisms may be offered and service and cooperation received, all of which are directed to unity and harmony.

Names of the organizations are varied but they all appear to have the same objectives in mind. Some of the more common titles of the clubs are Izaak Walton, Legion, Gun, Conservation, Rod and Gun, National Riflemen Association, Wildlife, Game Protective, Dog and Hunt, Jeffry Lake Development Incorporation, Jolly Rogers Incorporated, Wildlife Association, Missouri Valley Hunt, Better Fishing Association, Bird Banding Association, Hunting and Fishing, and numerous county organizations.

Some 30 different chapters of the Izaak Walton comprise one state organization which is presently headed by president-elect Carl Algermissen of Crete. The group's aims can be traced in the following pledge which must be taken by all sportsmen before gaining membership: "I believe in the aims and purposes of the Izaak Walton league of America and pledge my aid and support in the protection and restoration of America's soil, woods, waters and wildlife; to help increase opportunities for outdoor recreation and safeguard public health; to hunt and fish in accordance with the law and to respect the property rights of others, and otherwise to further the league's effort to restore the outdoor America of our ancestors."

Many of the chapters have undertaken extensive programs in educating the sportsmen of tomorrow, teaching them sportsmanship and the prerequisites of successful outdoor sports. The group, organized 27 years- ago, has a total membership of about 3,000 sportsmen. The individual chapters meet once monthly and gather as a group four times a year. A big number of the chapters have their own chapter homes, blue rock shoots, and lakes. This year the group organized workshops in seven districts over the state where conservation will be emphasized.

The Nebraska Council of Sportsman Clubs, an infant in age but a giant in activities, has as its director presidentelect Dr. H. C. Zellers. During the war years, the Nebraska Wildlife Federation was in a dormant stage. In 1948, its officers and directors revived enthusiasm and participation to organize   34 Outdoor Nebraska the present Council. It is a distinctly voluntary organization and is affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation from which it derives all of its funds. There are no dues. Actually it is a common denominator and exchange medium for all wildlife clubs.

Representatives of every club in Nebraska are invited to attend the annual sessions of the Council, the most recent of which was held in Omaha, March 18-19. The Council endeavors to bring clubs in closer contact with Game Commission activities and to cordinate thinking along conservation lines. The Council has a legislative committee which sponsors legislation beneficial to the wildlife program and combats that which it feels would be detrimental. Many clubs in the state have no state or national affiliations and the Council is striving to bring those in contact with the other clubs. The Council works in close unity with the Game Commission.

All the clubs throughout the state were asked to submit details of their activities, some of which are discussed below. The Holdrege Gun and Wildlife club, organized about five years ago, has 125 members to date. Last fall a group of the members with Commission supervision seined fish in drying irrigation ditches throughout the county in order to prevent potential fish loss. The operations, which were effected over a two-week period, removed 1,200 walleyes, 1,500 catfish, 6,000 bullheads, 6,000 perch and a few bass. These fish, removed under the supervision of the Game Commission, were restocked in sand pits and other waters in the locality by Commission personnel. The club held four registered shoots and eight practice shoots last year. It is made up of local sport enthusiasts and their objectives are to promote shooting with the younger men in the county and to represent the county in the wildlife preservation program.

Twenty-five members at the organization date in 1947 and 200 now, only three years later. That's the proud boast of the Minden Gun and Rod club. I. W. Newbold is the present president. The club has a site north of Minden where there are two traps, a club house and other improvements. Two projects are the pride and joy of the club. The first is the alloting of one-fourth of membership dues to a fund known as the "Bird Feed Fund," which is used for feeding birds during the rigors of winter and developing better fishing during the spring and summer months. The second project is to provide the youngsters of Kearney county with an annual Fourth of July Fishing contest. This is held annually at the Newark sand pits. The club provides free transportation to and from Mfnden and in addition to presenting prizes, serves sandwiches and cold drinks to the young contestants.

One of the older organizations in the state is the Fremont chapter of the Izaak Walton league. The chapter was chartered in 1924 and incorporated in 1943. At the close of the 1949 season the club boasted a membership of 390 members. The Izaak Walton park covers   Outdoor Nebraska 35 about 27 acres and includes three lakes. The club has erected two cabins at the park. One cabin is used along with the five traps for blue rocks. One trap is electrically operated and two traps are equipped for night shooting. It is the hope of the Fremont group to build a new park cabin this summer which will be of sufficient size to accommodate the growing membership.

With the hope of creating a lake and to stock it with fish to. provide an "Outdoors" for their families, six energetic sportsmen organized the Creighton Rod and Gun club on April 3, 1946. Two months later the membership roared to 100 members and to date there are 180 active members. The club's lake is open to members, their families, and guests. A number of trees have been planted around the lake and other beautification plans are contemplated.

Six hundred and eighty-eight sportsmen claim membership to the Blaine and Thomas County Conservation and Recreation club which was organized in 1947. Past activities of the group include considerable fire prevention work in the section, sponsoring of kids' fishing contests, showing a number of wildlife and fishing movies to which the public was invited, securing through the Game Commission thousands of fish for streams and lakes in the vicinity, and obtaining several hundred pheasants for release in the area. The club set up pheasant feeding points out of Dunning, Brewster, Purdum, Halsey, Thedford, and Seneca during the winter of 1948-49. It has also instigated considerable interest in wildlife, its propagation and protection.

The Plainview County club, organized in 1926, boasts an artificial lake made for fishing, swimming and boating. Its present membership is 180. The lake is stocked with black bass, bluegill, and crappie which are supplied by two small hatcheries in the rear of the dam. There are large springs at the head of the lake which produce sufficient water to make a complete change every six days. The lake, and the accompanying golf course, is maintained by a full-time caretaker. The lake is a migratory bird refuge.

The Ravenna Izaak Walton league, following a good start and then a temporary lapse, is now beginning to function on all cylinders and hopes to be in position to take advantage of all the sportsman activities on the agenda. At Revenna is a state lake which has recently been dredged by the Game Commission, making the water a promising fishing ground once it is restocked. The league members spent considerable time in cleaning up the area. Membership in the Nebraska Council of Sportsman's club has been enjoyed by the Ravenna chapter since the Council's organization.

"Take some and conserve some" is the motto of the Wilber Sportsman club, currently headed by Milo F. Jelinek,   president-elect. Like many other similar organizations, the club's infancy is traced to a barber shop where sportsmen exchanged yarns. The first formal meeting was held in 1946. One year later interest had increased and the membership hit 33. The main objective of the club is to teach its junior members the advantages of the great outdoors, true sportsmanship, conservation of game, and safety in the handling of fire arms. Game Commission personnel have been frequent speakers at the club's meetings as they have at most other clubs throughout the state.

The first sportsman group to promote a kids' fishing contest is the distinction reportedly owned by the Lincoln Chapter of the Nebraska Better Fishing Association. Since its beginning in 1942, the group's directed contests have attracted close to 1,000 youngsters annually. The Lincoln chapter, organized in 1940 with a membership of five, has presently 450 members.

One of the smaller clubs in membership, but not in activities, i's the Pawnee City chapter of the Izaak Walton league. The chapter was one of the early leaders in the fishing contest program which is now state-wide. More than $2,000 was spent by the chapter to improve the city pond near Pawnee City for the enjoyment of the kids. The pond was diked and dredged and now has an average depth of eight to nine feet. The league's current plan is to purchase a tract of land on which to build a cabin and traps. Presently the club's traps are located on private property.

Odd as it may seem, the Omaha Fish and Wildlife club, now possessing a membership of 600, was born in Lincoln. Dr. Herbert Kennedy, now chairman of the Nebraska Game Commissioners, presided at the organization. Kennedy, along with Omahans Ernie Bihler and Howard Wolff, were in Lincoln attending the Nebraska Wildlife Federation's dinner for the state legislature. They discussed the need of a club in Omaha which could join other groups in the state to help guide the fish and game programs. A month later, the group was formally organized, incorporation papers filed, and began to function. Its purpose, as set forth in the constitution, reads: "The purposes of this society is to aid in conserving   Outdoor Nebraska 37 and restoring game, fish and other wildlife and its habitat in Nebraska and its environs; to encourage and stimulate interest m the sports of fishing, hunting, and other sports connected therewith. To actively engage in conservation of fish, game and other natural resources; to promote and maintain friendly relations between landowners and sportsmen; to cooperate in obtaining proper respect for, and observance of the fish and game laws. To cooperate with other organizations of like purposes and with conservation authorities of the state of Nebraska and so far as possible to disseminate knowledge of useful wildlife among the residents of Nebraska and its environs."

The club's spring and fall meetings have been enthusiastically received. Last year, the OFWC sponsored a thousand dollar "big fish" contest in Omaha's Carter lake. Its most pretentious output was the Omaha Sports and Vacation show which ran from March 18-26 at the Omaha City Auditorium. On the conservation side, the club has aided in restocking pheasants and quail in the Omaha region. At each meeting, the members are reminded of this fact, which if followed by all sportsmen throughout the state, would provide better outdoor recreation for all: Every OFWC member is a "guest" of some landowner when he hunts pheasants or ducks and fishes at many points. Now in its fourth year, the club is contemplating its No. 1 move—a permanent home. The plan is to purchase a sandpit lake near Omaha, erect a clubhouse through community labor, and stock the lake.

To promote the art of trapshooting, to influence the proper protection of game and fish, and to foster good fellowship among sportsmen are the primary objectives of the Papillion Gun club. Organized on Nov. 27, 1923 with 14 members, the club has been continuous since that date and now has a membership of 42. The Papillion group has constructed a club house where its meetings and gatherings are held. With the exception of November and December, the club has a trophy shoot on the last Sunday of each month. In the last two months of the year the club schedules poultry shoots for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For a six-year period the Papillion sportsmen have sponsored the feeding and raising of young pheasants. This was done on a farm belonging to one of the members, Frank Leaders. It is the plan of the group to continue the pheasant raising program. The club is a member of the Nebraska Council of Sportsman's Clubs.

The Kimball County Wildlife club, one. of the newest sportsman clubs in the state, celebrated its first anniversary the first week of March at Kimball, featuring buffalo steaks obtained from the Nebraska Game Commission. The charter membership to date registers at 160. The club's outstanding achievement has been the construction of five pheasant rearing pens—two at Dix, two at Kimball, and one at Bushnell. The project was financed by popular subscription and all labor contributed by club members.

Of the 750 young pheasants supplied by the Game Commission hatchery at Norfolk, more than 640 were successfully reared and released in scarcely populated areas. The club officers and members should be congratulated for successfully completing a major project in its first year of existence.

Another club warranting acclaim for its achievement during its brief organization is the Chimney Rock Gun and Rod club of Bayard. The club was organized in April, 1946 with 28 charter members. It holds its regular meetings the third Friday of each month and repeatedly discusses wildlife in the panhandle. Following these discussions, sports and wildlife films are shown with the hope of interesting new citizens of the community in conservation of wildlife.

The present membership stands at 96. The club maintains a blue rock range and holds practice shoots once a month. During the blizzard of '48-'49, the club fed pheasants with volunteer help from   38 Outdoor Nebraska its members and encouraged rural mail carriers and R.E.A. employees to feed the birds in some isolated places. The club has an established refuge for pheasants two by three miles in area. It also has lakes for "junior sportsmen" only, and keeps them posted to the effect that any angler over 16 years of age is not supposed to fish at any time in those lakes.

The Columbus chapter of the Izaak Walton league, chartered in 1925, has grown steadily through the years and now boasts a membership of 450. The chapter has a cabin, gun club and house, lake, and caretaker's home. It is estimated by club members that the chapter has a $65,000 investment. In 1949 the chapter was host to the state convention of the Izaak Walton league of America. Along with the regular sporting events a junior trap shoot was held. Game Warden Roy Warden donated a trophy for the winner of that event. The club plans sponsoring a kids' fishing contest for youngsters of Columbus and vicinity.

Though it would have been impossible to describe all of the activities of each club in the state, it is hoped that this story will better acquaint non-club members with projects undertaken by the various groups. Some of their activities have weighed heavily in the replenshing of wildlife throughout the state, such as the pheasant restocking program. As Paul Gilbert, executive secretary of the Game Commission, commented, "The assistance of these clubs in the blizzard stricken areas was invaluable as they helped us rear a

1950 Hunting Outlook Brighter Than Year Ago

Prior to publication of this magazine, prospects for Nebraska's various hunting seasons was considered much brighter than at the same time one year ago. The state's mjld winter has been the predominant factor in the optimistic outlook, in complete contrast with that of more than one year ago when an epidemic of blizzards played havoc with Nebraska's pheasant and other wild game populations. Abundance of food for the respective wild game species along with appropriate cover in particular areas have also been of great significance.

However, the optimistic picture could take on a look of depression if the spring calendar would be burdened with wet and cold weather. One of the most encouraging reports concerns the state's pheasant population. Large numbers of this species are seen daily. The overall situation, according to Lloyd P. Vance, supervisor of state game, is wonderful at this time of the year. He warned, however, that a drastic change of weather could easily reverse the encouraging outlook. If mild weather continues its stay this fall's pheasant season should be exceptionally better than that of 1949. The cold, wet spring, if it should appear, could result in a large number of chilled eggs which wouldn't hatch, drastically destroying much of the necessary reproduction.

Young birds escaping the chilled egg stage would be endangered with the sharpness and wetness of the weather and usually a sizeable percentage of those would die. But with the" full assistance of the sometimes obliging weatherman, pheasant hunters can look forward to one of the best seasons in recent years. Other factors contributing to the encouraging outlook i's the exceptionally low kill last year of pheasants. Hunting pressure was down and this in all probability can be attributed to the low bag limit made necessary by the extremely heavy winter kill in '48-49. The potential crop is much greater than a year ago and the area in which the '48-49 blizzard struck with savage destruction has been partially replenished with a good crop of birds reared and released by sportsman clubs in that area.

The spring migration of ducks i'n the state has been found to be excellent. Pintails as usual were the predominant species. The waterfowl, bound for northern nesting grounds, camped on flooded meadows and fields where food and water were abundant. The duck loss of upwards of 5,000 in the Platte river valley, chiefly in the vicinity of Lexington, isn't expected to inflict any great damage on this fall's flight. Cause of the mysterious kill is still unsolved. Pathologists have found that death wasn't caused by botulism, fowl cholera   40 Outdoor Nebraska or lead poisoning. The possibility of high alkalin waters was also ruled out.

Heavy kills have also been found in Texas and California this year. The losses there were definitely attributed to fowl cholera, symptoms of which are readily recognized. Kxperts who are still attempting to collar the mysterious malady are Dr. E. L. Kalmbach of the Fish and Wildlife Service, Frank Bellrose of the Illinois National History Survey, Game Commission Biologists John Wampole, George Schildman and Henry Sather, in addition to a Lexington veterinarian, members of the State Health department, Fish and Wildlife service laboratory at Denver, and the University of Nebraska's Agricultural College Pathology division.

Nebraska's 1949 deer hunt in which 904 bucks were harvested by a specially licensed army of 1,500 big game hunters, appears to have had very little effect whatsoever in the state's herds. Large numbers of deer, though somewhat more cautious than before the hunt, are seen continually wandering down from their homes in the Pine Ridge and Wildcat Hills. It remains to be seen what the reproduction will provide this May and June.

The muskrat disease, which struck in February, appears to have stopped. The loss in the sand hills area south of Valentine and Ainsworth was heavy, being almost 100 percent in some of the marshes. No indications of the disease were found elsewhere in the state and if no other outbreaks occur the muskrat loss will be relatively insignificant.

Quail appear to be as prevalent as this time a year ago and if favorable conditions continue to persist the coming season should be more successful than in '49.

Rabbits haven't shown any marked increase since 1946 when the population hit a period low. Some areas have heavy concentrations while an equal number are almost devoid of rabbits.

THE SPORTSMAN—From Page 27

like to have us do to help improve our hunting and fishing?"

As organized and federated groups, the sportsmen of the United States can fight against anti-conservation legislation, stream pollution, marsh drainage, overgrazing in the west, the exploitation of our wildlife and many other endangering influences. And they should fight for the restoration of nesting areas for waterfowl, better forest fire protection, the soil conservation program, government control of marine fisheries, the perpetuation of free public huntingjust to mention a few. (This should leave them little for fighting their conservation departments.)

And as an individual sportsman, they can obey the game and fish laws and report others who wilfully violate them; they can build good will between the farmer and sportsmen, help plant game food and cover, help with stream improvement work, teach a young boy or girl how to hunt and fish and aid in an endless number of other activities.

With the ever-increasing demand upon our supply of fish and game, the job ahead looks mighty big even with everyone cooperating, and, with sportsmen bucking the conservation departments, it presents a very discouraging picture. Let's try to have a little more confidence in the professionally trained wildlife man; he's on your side, and he's your best friend!

SPORTSMAN CLUBS—From Page 38

far greater number of pheasants than would have been possible had we been faced with the problem alone. They not only fed and cared for the young birds for a number of weeks, but also helped to release the pheasants in their new homes." Organization of sportsman clubs is only one-half of the goal. The full realization of their potential value to sportsmanship and conservation is dependent upon the other half of the program, that of cooperation, unity and understanding between all of the clubs and the Nebraska Game Commission.

Readers Express Opinions On Good Fishing Essentials

Have you ever taken the time to determine what in your opinion would be necessary for a successful fishing trip? You probably have, and so have many others, but each individual appears to have his own distinct ideas and preferences. The editor of this magazine has interviewed a number of sportsmen in regard to this topic and their comments are discussed later in the story.

Time prevented a more extensive questioning of anglers other than those living in Lincoln. However, fishermen living in all sections of the state will have an opportunity to express their views on this subject in the July edition of "Outdoor Nebraska." Any interested sportsman is invited to submit his personal opinion on the subject. This should be sent to the Editor, "Outdoor Nebraska," State House, Lincoln. Only limited space could prevent use of all letters. Similar features will be printed in subsequent editions, the topics of which will appear in the preceding issues.

Ernie Dewey, an engineer at a Lincoln steel plant, said, "To me it's not only the fishing that makes a successful trip, but also the chance to get out in the field. And if I have reasonably fair luck—catch probably five or six fish— that's considered a good day." As to the preferred size of the fish, all that Dewey asks for is that they're above legal size and good edible fish. The largest fish Dewey caught was a seven pound catfish he took from the Blue river in Nuckolls county.

Walter Benzing, who fishes primarily with a fly rod, says any fair-sized fish gives him a fair amount of sport and that's what he's out for. He added that he would like to see more waters where he could go ice fishing. Benzing would like to land four or five fish a day and even six before calling a day successful. Excellent fishing, in his opinion, would be the catching of a large fish on his cherished fly rod.

Garage owner Roy McCartney, relatively unsuccessful in his recent fishing trips, commented that he'd be satisfied if he only caught one fish each time he went fishing. He derives the greatest pleasure from just being outdoors. Catching six fish during a one   day's outing is considered excellent by McCartney.

"I love to fish and I enjoy myself immensely even if I don't catch any," Fern Moser answered when interviewed. Miss Moser, who goes fishing practically every good day during spring and summer, said she didn't think there was any living man who liked to fish as well as she did. Odd as it may seem, Miss Moser wouldn't give a dime for all the fish in the world. She doesn't eat them. Miss Moser's prized catch is a 14-pound cat she landed at Oak Creek lake in Lincoln.

Henry Reider, an ardent sportsman, gets the biggest thrill from fishing when he and five of his friends spend the weekend at their cabin on the Platte river near Ashland, 30 miles from Lincoln. The sextet spends about 40 minutes securing live bait and then readies their throw lines. These are tossed out into the river, each with from two to four hooks. After an hour has elapsed, they make a run of the lines and expect to take four to nine catfish of legal size. If this success is attained, they feel they enjoyed the utmost thrill from fishing. Reider's largest catches have been two catfish, one 14 pounds and the other 12.

Ruby Young figures a catch of eight or ten fish in a period of six or eight hours would be a successful trip for any angler. She'd prefer catching catfish and bullheads, not necessarily big ones but just medium size. Her ideal fishing grounds would have cabins available for all desiring fishermen.

Two or three nice bass are the requirements of good fishing for Charley May, a state highway employee. Excellent fishing, in hi's opinion, would be the ability to catch six or more goodsized bass, probably a few crappie and one or two catfish. He realizes that fishing pressure is too great in the eastern part of the state to afford outstanding fishing for all.

Patrick N. Walker, a civil engineer student at the University of Nebraska, would term any fishing excursion successful if he'd catch three or four fish. They needn't be real large, but just a little larger than legal size. Walker has a preference of fish, he'd prefer landing a catfish than any other species.

Two or three catfish of legal size per day, enough to make one good fish meal would suffice for Guy Birch, law student at the university. He'd be happy to catch anything that bites, excluding the turtle. Trolling and casting for bass provides Birch with the greatest pleasure. His biggest catch to date is a sevenpound blue cat he hauled in from the Missouri river.

Leland Heckman, an accountantclerk, has tastes similar to Birch, desiring to catch enough fish for one sitting at the table. He prefers landing catfish to any other species and derives the' greatest enjoyment from still fishing. The heaviest fish caught by Heckman was a two and one-half pound catfish taken from the Blue river.

Kenneth Gerlach, a railroad employee, would just like to hook on to some big catfish, one over 15 inches in size. To make the day more complete he'd like bringing home a few others just over legal size. Gerlach is a river fisherman and enjoys nothing more than a successful day on the Blue.

As mentioned before in this article, the opinions expressed are those only of eastern Nebraska anglers where small lake and river fishing is the habit. Undoubtedly

"Free Subscription Offered On Good Outdoor Stories"

Free subscriptions to "Outdoor Nebraska" are being offered to any Nebraskan who submits a winning story about his personal hunting or fishing experience. The object of this new feature is to pass on to other readers humorous, odd and successful stories occurring anywhere in the state. The primary object is a story concerning some event which happens to someone but once in a lifetime.

There are two requirements. The first is that the story be authentic. The second is that the story will not exceed 300 words in length because of space limitation. A selection committee, composed of the editor and other Game Commission personnel, will review the entries and select the story or stories which they think would provide the most pleasure in reading. It is realized that opinions differ and consequently it is necessary that the committee's selection be accepted as final.

Any Nebraskan who's story appears in subsequent issues of this magazine will receive a complimentary five-year subscription to "Outdoor Nebraska". If the winner is already a subscriber to the magazine, he can have the subscription sent to any person he chooses if he so desires.

Stories should be sent to Editor, "Outdoor Nebraska", State House, Lincoln. Only the winning stories will be retained, all others being returned to the writer before publication date.

READERS OPINIONS—From Page 42

fishermen living in the western part of the state and accustomed to other fishing will express different views. So all of you anglers, regardless of where you live, submit your requirements of a successful fishing excursion and compare notes with others.

Trapping is big business in Nebraska, grossing about one million dollars annually.

Notes on Nebraska Fauna ... Rainbow Trout

This is the second in a series of articles and drawings on Nebraska's small and big game animals, game birds, and game fish. The drawing of the trout on page 45 is the work of C. G. Pritchard, talented staff artist. The next issue of "Outdoor Nebraska", due off the press July 1, will feature the ring-necked pheasant.

The robust rainbow trout, found in ever increasing numbers in Nebraska waters, is often regarded by many anglers as the most popular of all game fish. Its fast and powerful runs interspersed with breathtaking jumps make it a favored individual with all fishermen. It strikes readily on a fly and on many trolling lures and can be caught by amateur and expert alike.

As it possesses the migrating instinct more than any other trout, the rainbow is constantly on the move. This, coupled with the fact that it can survive in warmer water than any other trout, accounts to a large extent for its wide distribution. In Nebraska, the rainbow is found most often in cool streams and deep, cold lakes. The best of the many fine trout waters in the state are McConaughy lake, Upper Niobrara river, Rock Creek lake, Long Pine creek, North Loup river, Snake river, White Clay creek, Bordeaux creek, and White river, plus numerous small drains and creeks in Scotts Bluff and Morrill counties.

The color of the rainbow found in Nebraska streams and rivers varies but is generally a bluish or olive green above the lateral line, shading into a silvery green on its sides. The tail, dorsal fins, and sides are profusely spotted with small dark spots. A wide lateral band of lavender red runs along the sides from head to tail. Its lower fins are dusky or whitish.

Rainbows love swift water and will be found in the fast stretches rather than the slow-moving currents. Fish for them at the edge of strong currents and at the head of rapids or under overhanging banks where the current is swiftest. The rainbow's size depends entirely upon the waters in which it is caught. In small streams the average will approximate one pound. In larger streams and rivers, or fair-sized lakes, the average will be two to four-pounds and five to sixpounders are not rare. Harold M. DeVoe, of Ogallala, made a catch last year which substantiates this. He took a 11 1/4 -pound rainbow from huge McConaughy lake, a state record catch.

Fly fishermen find rainbows yield to the temptation of wet and dry flies in tiny 18 and 20 sizes as well as the larger 6, 8 and 10 sizes; also, streamers, salmon flies, bucktails, salmon ties, spoons, and spinner and fly combinations. Small lures like the popper spook and wilder dilg minnow are ideal. Plug casters take them on small lures in the % oz. and under class.

Modern Rock Creek hatchery provides Nebraska's major source of rainbows, producing 64,586 adults in 1948 and 58,450 in '49. All of these range between 8 and 12 inches. Last year's production fell short of the '48 mark because of the increased cost. Two years ago, the average trout stocked costs 24 1/2 cents while in '49 the cost increased eight cents to 32 1/2. The Game Commission holds the trout a comparatively longer time than other species because of the reduced fatality rate when stocked at a mature stage.