"Oh it's just about the largest gathering of amateur astronomers in the Midwest." I said. "We're on our way to Merritt Reservoir for a week of dark skies and recreation." "Well you know," she said, "Merritt holds many of the State fishing records....I don't know about astronomy but I do know the fish are great!"
How true that statement was. On Tuesday night a camper pulled in a 38 pound Muskie. That missed the record set in 1992 of 41 pounds 8 ounces. Merritt also has bluegill, bullheads, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth & smallmouth bass, pike, walleye, white perch and yellow perch. Jon and Marian Davenport have some great fishing boats and pontoons that can be rented. They even have an expert guide to take you to some 'sure bet' areas.
If your fishing patience runs out, you can do what we did. Tom Millers pontoon had 15 people on it so we pulled up to a nice sandy cove, threw over the anchor, and dove into the cool water. The kids saw a 100 foot high sand dune that rose above the water and proceeded to conquer the hill. From that high point they would run and slide down into the water laughing and screaming all the way. The kids were having so much fun the adults even did it...oh to be young again.
Tomorrow we will be tubing down the Niobrara. Its one of the most scenic rivers still around. If its anything like last year, we expect an armada of crazed astronomers. A flotilla of inner tubes armed with water guns and water balloon launchers. And just so we don't end up looking like Barbara and Buster Wilson did last year, we are bringing an extra supply of sun block.