Learn to Fly-fish in Nebraska

With the spring upon us, most people have begun to clean their guns, spruce up their boats and their fishing gear, and check and clean their camping equipment. People's minds turn to the hills, mountains, streams, rivers and lakes where the birds, game, and big fish wait. The midwest has some wonderful rivers and streams where fly-fishermen can catch that prize they dream about. The good news is that fly-fishing is nowhere nearly as expensive as it used to be even a decade or so ago. A person can get involved with this incredibly peaceful and lovely sport for a few hundred dollars. Also, the lures and tackle has advanced so that now fly-fishing can hit deeper-feeding fish, like bass and even crappie. Advanced lures that sink can reach those holes where these fish congregate and feed. That means that even lakes that are not cold-water can be fished with great success. Now would be a great time for people to learn the sport and get involved with local clubs that sponsor trips and give seminars and tips about the latest technology and news.

Nebraska has some great teaching sources available for people who want to learn the basics of fly-fishing and about what to buy, how to use the equipment, and where and how to fish different waters. Good instruction is the key to any learning, so it's best to check out some books and videos as well. Then investigate the resources for instruction in the sport. Some groups offer ongoing training year-round and a few have seminars or fly-fishing classes for a few days in a season. It's not so important how you start. Just make sure to start somewhere and get the best instruction as soon as you can.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission holds classes for women and teens who want to learn fly-fishing in the fall. They hold classes indoors, them progress to an area lake where students practice with their new lures and rods that are provided to them by the staff. The total course covers a multitude of areas of hunting and fishing, so inquire about taking just the fly-fishing module. All applicants need to have a Nebraska fishing license prior to registration. The class teaches the beginning basics of rods, lures, knots, tying, and technique. The main office is in Lincoln but they can tell you who to contact in your section of the state to find out about the times and locations of these classes. This would be a good way for beginners to learn the sport from qualified instructors without paying too much out of pocket. 2200 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, NE 68503 • (402) 471-0641

The Lincoln Cornhuskers Fly Fishing Club meets on the third Wednesday of every month at the Ak-sar-ben Aquarium Outdoor Center.Meetings start at 7:00 and end at around 10:00 p.m. They don't hold meetings in the summer You can call the Ak-sar-ben Aquarium at 402-332-3901 for the upcoming meetings because sometimes they get cancelled. Membership to the club is just $24 per year. It's always good to connect with the local fly-fishing clubs because sometimes they will have people who can teach you as well. They may not be professional instructors, but they're most certain to be avid fishermen! To get more information about the club please email the group at mailto:emeiler@inetnebr.com

FlyFishing Courses for beginners to intermediates are given at Mahoney State Park, between Omaha & Lincoln, Nebraska. These are two-day courses limited to just 8 people so it's important to sign up as soon as possible. This father-daughter team of teachers has been fly-fishing around the country for over 60 years and their experience is what you'll be buying. They take all people over 12 years of age. The instructors cover knots, casting, equipment and technique, and they also explain about the best fishing spots and the types of fish in different areas. They have online registration or interested prospects can call 800-306-4111 to sign up. They also have personal one-day sessions for people who want to attend in the southeast Lincoln/Omaha area. The two-day course is $395 out of Ashland, NE. People can stay in lodging at Mahoney State Park overnight or through a weekend and fish whenever they want after lessons are over.