Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Lake Havasu City, AZ: If the 26th Annual Lake Havasu Boat Show coming April 7-9 to Lake Havasu State Park is any indicator, the recreational boating industry is on the brink of its best year in a decade. "We're still two months out from our opening day at the Lake Havasu Boat Show and we've already exceeded the amount of sold display space from a year ago by nearly 50 percent," commented boat show producer, Bob Brown. It's a combination of new companies and products wanting to target the Lake Ha... Full story
Some new fishing regulations took effect on Jan.1, Be sure to look for the full 2017-18 Arizona Game and Fish Department fishing regulations online around the first of the year. Also, the new fishing regulations booklet will be available at all AZGFD offices and license dealers in early January. Here are the changes: Reduce the daily trout bag limit to five at the Colorado River from Lake Mead to California-Nevada boundary (including Lake Mohave and Willow Beach). Reduce the daily... Full story
LOS ANGELES – Dec. 28 – Six fishing boats engaged in illegal activities were spotted by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, ending in their arrest by the Mexican Navy. On December 12 Sea Shepherd's M/V Farley Mowat located poachers on radar before confirming their identities with binoculars. The six fishing boats were working together, using forbidden nets to catch the endangered totoaba bass inside a marine reserve in Mexico's Gulf of California. The totoaba is a rar... Full story
Every year Phoenix-area residents have a chance to celebrate the friendship they share with our neighbours (cq) to the north who become our winter visitors/residents. It's that time again! The Great Canadian Picnic is set for Saturday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Activity Complex of South Mountain Park (10919 South Central Ave., Phoenix 85042). And the event just gets better and better every year. Here is a partial list of the fun, family friendly activities on the docket for 2017: Free... Full story
Alexandria, VA – December 12, 2016 – Over the weekend, the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive maritime infrastructure bill that drew a mixed reaction from the recreational fishing industry. By a 78-21 vote, the Senate passed the “Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN),” which had been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier last week. The WIIN Act now heads to the President’s desk for his signature. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA - http://ww... Full story
Alexandria, VA – December 13, 2016 – Several regional and national recreational fishing organizations submitted official comments to NOAA Fisheries opposing listing Pacific bluefin tuna as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The letter was in response to a petition filed earlier this year to ban all fishing, including recreational fishing, for Pacific bluefin tuna in U.S. waters. In the letter, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA - http://www.asafishing.org ), the Coa... Full story
Editor's Note: Some of the most beautiful of holiday events are the Christmas lighted-boat parades. Although there are more in the Southwest, the ones we mention here are among the favorites. (If you know of others you would like included in our December issue, please email their information to editor@azbw.com.) In Arizona Lake Havasu: "Bright Ideas" Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3, 2016 @ 6:30pm The Annual Boat Parade of Lights is in its 34th year and has been the must-see event of the holiday... Full story
Lake Havasu has deservedly earned a reputation as a mecca for outdoor motorsports enthusiasts. Because of the weather and the immediate proximity to both water and desert, locals rotate between boats, off-roading and RVing with the change of each season. Expo History Five years ago, the "Sand - Water - RV Expo" first appeared on the Havasu scene at Lake Havasu State Park, Windsor 4, looking to fill a niche that wasn't being addressed. Bob Brown, Havasu Boat Show producer, decided to combine all... Full story
As the sweltering heat oppresses most of us in the Valley of the Sun, news items have come across my desk that bear repeating. I will not champion any particular item, but merely report (sometimes tongue in cheek) the news as it has come down. Gift Triggers Edible, Fiscal Thoughts A gift was presented to me at the Shake Rattle & Troll radio show last Sunday. The gift was a canned tin of - horsemeat! Despite the feelings of many in the United States, horse meat is a delicacy in many countries. Ob... Full story
These memorable destinations are enough to fill a lifetime of "bucket lists". As we celebrate the centennial of the National Parks Service, many will be visiting national sites throughout the country. A good place to start is here at home as Arizona has over two dozen of these spectacular destinations within the state. National Monuments In Arizona Canyon De Chelly Chinle, Ariz. For nearly 5,000 years, people have lived in these canyons - longer than anyone has lived uninterrupted anywhere on... Full story
While the sportsmen and women of Arizona have been patiently waiting for draw results, certain organizations have been using their political clout to remove another massive chunk of real estate from the hunting communities' places to recreate. The following has been in process for a couple of years now, and it appears to be the proverbial train coming down the tracks with not much hope in sight. Save It From What? "Do You Want To Save The Grand Canyon?" That banner has been bandied about by... Full story
For the past eight years when recreational boats have broken down on Lake Pleasant - 300 of them last year alone - the red response boat of Vessel Assist Lake Pleasant has been there to help boaters safely return to the launch ramp. Now the 24-hour on water towing and assistance service has a new name: TowBoatUS Lake Pleasant. The move to rename Vessel Assist to TowBoatUS - with locations in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and British Columbia, Canada - recognizes TowBoatUS's... Full story
California Away Trip - Monday, July 25 through Saturday, July 30 Join us as we set sail to the beautiful waters of The Channel Islands of California aboard the schooner Californian. Each voyage offers a unique perspective on seamanship, maritime history and the awesome beauty of the Pacific Ocean. The Channel Islands adventure sail will use the tall ship, Californian, as our base camp for a kayaking adventure. Exploring by kayak is a great and fun way to get up close and personal to all of the... Full story
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. -- The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking the Sierra Club to retract a fundraising letter that makes false statements about Arizona’s endangered condor population. The department (AZGFD) says untrue claims were made about hazards to condor health in a fundraising letter from Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club. In his June 24 fundraising appeal, Brune claims a link between uranium mining and condor health. Despite a moratorium against uranium mines i... Full story
The Lake Pleasant Sailing Club welcomes sailors of all stripes! We are an active Club based on Lake Pleasant, Ariz., (NW of Phoenix) but the Club also hosts boating events in California, on other Arizona lakes, and on land. The Club's mission is to promote recreational and social programs, seamanship, and water safety. It encourages and establishes good will between the Club and other yacht clubs and sailing associations. Last, it organizes opportunities for members to take part in all forms of... Full story
'This is the end'... Jim Morrison, 1967 The annual hunting season, long declared to be barbaric by the social media watchdogs, was officially cancelled today by the Arizona Species Specialists, a group of environmentally sensitive and morally conscious individuals who report to the chair of the Prohibited Actions On Public Lands Committee. While the demise of the hunting practice has long been predicted, today's announcement came as a mild surprise to those who had hoped that the recreational... Full story
California Yacht Sales is San Diego's marketplace for buying or selling sailboats, yachts and power boats. Whether you are searching boats for sale or preparing to sell your boat, the advantages of working with California Yacht Sales are numerous and significant. Trust your transaction to yacht brokers who have been located on Harbor Island at San Diego's largest marina for over 26 years. We are proud that we have earned the reputation for honesty and integrity in yacht sales. We work on your... Full story
Born Free builds some of the finest Class C motorhomes in the country, using only top-quality components. When customers are configuring their dream RVs, many choose innovative Aqua-Hot Heating Systems to make their luxurious coaches even more comfortable. Simple to use, Aqua-Hot hydronic heating systems produce even, moist, fume-free heat and continuous, on-demand hot water. They're renowned for their quiet and efficient operation. Owners of a Born Free RV with Aqua-Hot on board know just how... Full story
A draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination for Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is now available for public review and comment. Due to an increase in safety concerns and the protection of wildlife habitat, the Service is in the process of reassessing all boating recreation activities taking place at the Refuge. The Refuge began reevaluating boating usage when the need arose to extend a 17-mile restricted boating area by ½ mile of No-Waterskiing for the safety of the visiting... Full story
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Day at the Docks, the traditional kick-off to the San Diego Sportfishing fleet’s season, hosted a record breaking crowd of anglers and their families – both tourists and locals – April 17. A near picture-perfect spring day greeted the throng to exhibits, boat tours, rides, food, games (dunking the captains), and, perhaps most important, kids’ fishing. One of the highlights of the afternoon was the presentation of the “Class of 2016” IGFA Honorees. IGFA Trustee Michael Farrior introduced the recipients of the highly-coveted C... Full story
As we began 2016, heavy rains were predicted for San Diego and Arizona. Anticipation of rising water sheds appear to be in our future for Arizona lakes especially on the Salt River lakes chain. Meanwhile, the offshore water current temperatures hold and numbers of 15-30 pound yellow tail are being reported at H&M Landing from the ½- and ¾-day boats. The offshore fishing season took the Christmas holiday week off but we’re at it once again; it continues! The El Niño currently causing mayhem arou... Full story
For more than 20 years, the Heritage Fund has made a difference not just to wildlife conservation efforts, but also to the state's economy, public access, environmental education and outdoor recreation. Passed by voters as a ballot initiative in 1990 by a 2-1 ratio, the fund provides up to $10 million each year from Arizona lottery proceeds to the Arizona Game and Fish Department for the conservation and protection of the state's wildlife and natural areas. Protect, Provide, Educate The... Full story
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California’s Boating Clean and Green Program and its partners are offering volunteer opportunities, workshops and seminars on ways to help keep California’s waterways clean. Motivated individuals with an ability and willingness to learn and convey important environmental messages are encouraged to participate. Registration is required to take part in these free events. “It is important to know that environmental stewardship efforts we implement today to keep Califor... Full story
Visitors never tire of visiting the vintage ships at the Maritime Museum that are sailed and maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers. Among the Maritime treasures are ships from four different centuries, which include 19th-century Californian, a tops'l schooner; the 18th-century H.M.S. Surprise, a full-rigged British Frigate; the 19th-century three-masted bark Star of India, the 16th-century Spanish Galleon San Salvador, and the 20th-century steam yacht Medea. In addition to the... Full story
A local company that that helps boaters get safely home was singled out for its professionalism at the BoatUS Towing Services Annual Conference recently held in Jupiter, Fla. "Tower of the Year" honors went to TowBoatUS Catalina, which is owned and operated by Captains Nathan Lins, Jordan Lake and Greg Dreischmeyer. The company, a familiar site in Avalon Harbor and Catalina Island waters with three red response vessels, was recognized for its near perfect 24-hour towing dispatch operation, super... Full story