Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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It's finally getting cool enough to do some exploring and hiking in the central deserts of Arizona. There are plenty of beautiful things to see in the desert - you just have to know where to look. A great place to base your adventure is Wickenburg, which is central to recreational areas, mining towns and sites, hiking trails, and tons of opportunities to learn about the plants and environment of the area. Wickenburg is a thriving town with plenty of places to stay - everything from dude ranches... 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
Angler Mike Wallace is shown with his flathead cat out of Lake Pleasant. Although he and friends were targeting larger fish (40 pounds or larger), Wallace says that they love catching cats any size. After five runs and three hook-ups, the fishermen landed two.... Full story
Just forty-five minutes from downtown Phoenix, Pleasant Harbor, located on the southeastern shores of Lake Pleasant, serves as a one-stop recreation spot for lakeside fun. Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Marina (www.pleasantharbor.com) is open to the public 365 days a year, and features Dillon's Bayou restaurant, daily boat cruises, sailing, watercraft and Jet Ski rentals, kayaks, and paddle boards, fly boarding, slip rentals and storage, as well as a full service RV resort with 254 spaces with... Full story
The Phoenix at Lake Pleasant is one of several Arizona "girls" who offer scenic cruises on Arizona's spectacular lakes. From Lake Pleasant to Saguaro and Canyon lakes, these vessels, whom I like to call "hostesses" ply the waters while providing wonderful experiences for their guests. During the summer heat, The Phoenix, Desert Belle, and Dolly Steamboat invite you to cool off onboard and at the same time you are savoring the scenery, you can also enjoy some dinner perhaps, some music, and... Full story
As you know, things get real slow for the summer. We'll have our Wednesday night casual races at Lake Pleasant and the summer campout. Following is the campout info, and as for the Wednesday night races, let's try this: Just when sailors have cleared the "midweek hump" at work on hot summer Wednesdays, they can drive to Tempe Town Lake, launch a small boat, and head out for an hour or so of casual, run-what-ya-brung racing. George Sheller is the organizer of this loosely organized gathering. At... 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
To: John ("JK") Koleszar & Western Outdoor Times, Arizona Boating and Watersports Re: "Western Wildlife" article in the February 2016 edition, "Wake Zone, What Price is Enough?" Challenge Accepted I would like to submit a response to the heavily opinionated piece that was published in the February 2016 "Western Wildlife" section of the Western Outdoor Times by John Koleszar. My response is that Mr. Koleszar seems to have written a biased piece without including many facts about wild horses and b... Full story
Bill Luke Bass Days is "Making Bass Fishing Great Again!" The 18th annual event at Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Marina is handing out over $50,000 in cash prizes over the course of the three-days bass fishing tournament. The bass fishing tournament has six daily hourly weigh-ins; every hour first place pays $300, second through tenth place pay $100. Top Overall Big Bass this year wins $10,000! The Biggest Bass of The Day, each day, will win $2,000. And, Bill Luke will pay a $1,000 cash award... Full story
John ("JK") Koleszar can be reached at elkhabitat@gmail.comelkhabitat@gmail.com. Before anyone sets out the lynch mobs, let me be perfectly clear - I really like horses. I rode them for years, found them to be beautiful and, in many cases, like family members. I also love elk, deer, javelina, antelope, desert bighorn sheep and a host of other creatures. The problem that I have is in the prevailing attitude of those who proclaim the absolute love of only horses. I did a little digging, courtesy... Full story
Bill Luke Bass Days is the Southwest's largest family fishing tournament and festival - to be held March 18, 19, 20 at Lake Pleasant. This year's version is sure to be one of our biggest events! For the fishermen, we are featuring over $50,000 in cash prizes. For everyone, we will have a day and night time festival featuring a Cornhole Tournament, a classic-car show, carnival rides, vendors, food, wildlife exhibits and live music. Also featured will be a Coast Guard water-rescue demonstration.... Full story
Whether you already live in Arizona or are planning to visit our beautiful desert from another state or even out of the country, you shouldn't miss our great marinas. jim@azbw.comClick here to email Jim and find out how to enhance your listing. Antelope Point Marina Apache Lake Resort & Marina Bartlett Lake Marina & Boat Club Bartlett Lake Marina: Click Here"borde Bartlett Lake is located in the northeast valley only 48 miles from downtown Phoenix and 17 miles northeast of Carefree and is within... Full story
The evolution of the lead spoons or flat falls continues with local Striper Guide Derrick Franks, aka The Striper Snatcher. I told you previously of the 3" jig very effective in fresh and saltwater. Well he's taken the lure to the next level, with the 5", 130 gram version with high performance Daiichi saltwater hooks. The jigs performance on the fall is more erratic than any I ever seen or used. Like the 3" version, the Snatcher has standard colors and has the ability to custom finish with your... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department swapped approximately 800 old and tattered life jackets with new ones during life jacket exchange events at area lakes this past summer. During the popular events, the public can swap old, less-effective life jackets for new ones. The department began the life jacket exchange program in 2008 to help save lives and to encourage watercraft users to remain safe on the water. Most Effective Way "Wearing a life jacket is the most effective way to prevent against... Full story
In October, the Arizona Deer Association held a youth camp. I was privileged to be part of that event and it certainly proved to be eye opening for a lot of kids under the age of 18. Through the big-game-draw system here in Arizona there are tags that are allocated specifically for youths under the age of 18. In many instances, these are first-time hunters and in some instances, they do not have a mentor or knowledge of the area where the hunt is being held. Courtesy of a grant from Arizona... Full story
Local Striper Guide Derrick Franks, aka "The Striper Snatcher," is going big with a line of lead jigs. It all started this season in San Diego aboard the Malihini sport fishing vessel, fishing ¾-day trips. Franks took a knife to the gun fight. Day one, freshwater bass jig rod vs. yellow fin tuna -yep, the tuna won the fight. Day two, re-armed with a tuna rod, Frank lands yellow fin tuna. During the process, we had conversation on air about using the same swim baits, spoons irons and jigs... Full story
Desert Troon Companies, a Scottsdale-based real estate development and investment firm, is pleased to announce that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved the transfer of the Concessionaire Management Agreement for Scorpion Bay Marina at Lake Pleasant Regional Park from Skipper Marine to Desert Troon Companies. The agreement names Desert Troon Companies as a concessionaire until 2040, and marks the next phase of development for the popular marina. "Scorpion Bay Marina is a distinc... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department swapped approximately 800 old and tattered life jackets with new ones during life jacket exchange events at area lakes this past summer. During the popular events, the public can swap old, less-effective life jackets for new ones. The department began the life jacket exchange program in 2008 to help save lives and to encourage watercraft users to remain safe on the water. "Wearing a life jacket is the most effective way to prevent against drowning," said... Full story
You can register now for the annual Ruth Beals Cup Regatta, the women-at-the-helm event that honors AYC founder Ruth Beals. You do not have to be a member to race. The regatta will be Saturday morning, Nov. 14, at Tempe Town Lake and contested in Capri 14.2s. The winner's name will be engraved on the cup and everybody gets a Chick-fil-A lunch. More information and registration at arizonayachtclub.org Lake Pleasant racing has resumed with PHRF Sportboats on RC. On the final weekend, the racing... Full story
Desert Troon Companies, a Scottsdale-based real estate development and investment firm, is pleased to announce that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved the transfer of the Concessionaire Management Agreement for Scorpion Bay Marina at Lake Pleasant Regional Park from Skipper Marine to Desert Troon Companies. The agreement names Desert Troon Companies as a concessionaire until 2040, and marks the next phase of development for the popular marina. “Scorpion Bay Marina is a distinc... Full story
Some misspell them, "strippers." True enough, they are just that: strippers of line. Today, though, we'll be talking about stripers. Just northwest of Phoenix, the striped bass fishery is buzzing. Lake Pleasant is a haven for these linesiders, known for their line-stripping potential, excellent table fare (their mild, white meat is great for fish tacos) and, under special regulations at this 9,500-lake, no bag limit. Great to eat. No bag limit. Yep, and this type of fishing is suitable for men... Full story
Beginning October 1, Maricopa County's Parks and Recreation Department will bring back the Buy One, Get One campaign! The campaign allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night, or more, at a desert mountain county park to receive one night of equal or lesser value for free at any of the County's desert parks during that same stay. "This is the seventh year the department has offered the Buy One, Get One promotion," said Chairman Steve Chucri, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, D... Full story
The West is finally getting a great tournament circuit with 100 percent payback, championships with prize boats, and television coverage of every tournament. It's about time! For years I've heard guys say that if you want to fish a decent circuit, Arizona is not the place to be. Well, they can't say that any more. The Wild West Bass Trail debuts in 2016, and per their Facebook page, "our objective is to provide anglers the ability to participate in elite bass tournaments with the highest... Full story
As an advocate for all wildlife, I found the recent furor over the horse situation in the Salt River Recreation area to be tremendously sad because of the lack of education of the general public. From State legislator Kelly Townsend to all of the horse lovers of America, the very idea of removing SOME of the horses from the Salt River area was akin to mass murder. The reality of the situation is that horses do some things very well and that is where the problem arises. They eat, they poop and... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is working to save lives by preventing drownings at Lake Pleasant with the installation of new Life Jacket Loaner Stations at the lake's four- and 10-lane boat ramps. "Boaters needing a life jacket may borrow one from the station, head out onto the lake and return it before they leave," said AZGFD Boating Safety Education Coordinator Josh Hoffman. "We want people to have a safe, fun time on the water and having enough life jackets on board is one of the best... Full story
