Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 106
The only bad thing about camping is putting all that stuff away when you get home, right? Well, when I was a kid, we camped and hunted all the time, and my dad had a big old Army field desk that we called the Camping Box. The front panel of it was removed, then it became a table by hooking the front panel to the side of the box and folding the legs out. The inside was all drawers, and we put all the usual camping stuff in there - paper towels, dish soap, seasonings, silverware, dishes, matches... Full story
Last day of the show! If you wanted to see every exhibitor here, you'd have less than a minute per booth - so obviously we haven't seen everything. Our plan was to visit NEXT first, which we did. NEXT is a few rows of very small tables in the middle of a hallway - it's for the companies who will be exhibiting for real next year. Always good stuff there. Then we went to the New Products Showcase and write down booth numbers that we want to visit for more info. I also had a list going in -... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has recently stocked thousands of catchable size rainbow trout into many of the White Mountain lakes. This gives anglers an extra incentive to get out to the lakes this fall. Show Low Lake was stocked with 4,000 rainbow trout. Bear Canyon and Willow Springs Lake received 5,000 fish each. Another 7,000 trout went into Woods Canyon Lake. Fool Hollow Lake and River Reservoir each received 8,000 trout. The AZGFD hatcheries had a surplus of fish that... Full story
The two most important aspects of good shooting are sight alignment and trigger control. Master both of these, and you'll be an awesome shot. The importance of sight alignment is reflected in the number of different kinds of sights that are available. You are not limited to the sights that come on your gun when you buy it - you have almost limitless choices when it comes to picking your perfect sights. The gunsmith at Shooters World told me that putting on new sights is one of the only things... Full story
Tip Of The Week For our desert lakes, predatory fish activity will be building toward a fall-time frenzy. Bass in particular will feed heavily to prepare for winter conditions. For anglers, that means now is the best time to hook into actively feeding bass. The Reel Deal The first hints of fall means fishing is about to bust loose. Nights are getting noticeably cooler, putting bass in the mood to chase reaction baits and trigger some of the best high-country trout fishing of the year. Remember:... Full story
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
In summer, we always seem to think of going to the high country - Flagstaff, Payson, the White Mountains - but Southern Arizona has some absolutely gorgeous places to visit, and the weather is great. We head south often because there are plenty of things to do and places to see. Here are five of our favorites. Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve This summer was the first time we've visited this amazing place, but it definitely won't be the last time we come here. We took our teenaged... Full story
The SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trades) was held in Las Vegas this past January. As always, the show was enormous and it took several days to get around to seeing everything. Even after several days, I'm sure I missed some great stuff, but I did see a bunch of things that I can't wait to tell you about. Wildo Campware I remember when my granddaughters were in grade school and I volunteered in the cafeteria. They would give the kids these little plastic sporks to eat with that were... Full story
Tip Alamo Lake can be a crappie hot spot this time of the year. Heavy rains might delay the great winter crappie bite, but it bodes well for the lake's productivity. Catfishing can still be excellent. These voracious channel catfish at Alamo routinely feed on shad. Try live minnows on the bottom or drop-shot style just off the bottom. The Reel Deal Water temperatures across the state have dropped to their winter standards, and rain and snow has slowed or stalled driving in the high country. Be... Full story
OLYMPIA – State shellfish managers have proposed two days of razor clam digging in February at Copalis beach in addition to an approved a month-long opening at Long Beach that starts today. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has tentatively scheduled a dig on evening tides for Feb. 19 and 20 at Copalis, provided that marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat. WDFW will announce final word on the dig about a week before it is scheduled to begin. The upcoming dig at C... Full story
There have been significant advances made in reel design over the last several years. Today’s reels are smaller, lighter, stronger, smoother and, in many cases, faster than ever before. Abu Garcia has driven many of these innovations with game-changing models in their popular Revo baitcaster line. It’s impossible not to like the powerful Abu Revo MGX or the speedy Revo Rocket. Both offer performance upgrades that help put fish in the boat. Let’s fast-forward to today. And tomorrow. While innov... Full story
In Arizona, winter doesn't have to mean sending boats and rods and reels into hibernation. While outdoor recreation opportunities across many U.S. states shut down during the season of freeze, Arizona rolls on with trout stockings and water temperatures just warm enough to convince fish to bite during the holidays. Although fishing tends to slow a tad this time of the year, there are some spots that are winter-friendly. Here, then, in no particular order, are the Arizona Game and Fish Department... Full story
Tip Of The Week Silver Creek near Show Low is a spring creek that comes out of the ground at a constant temperature and does not freeze in the winter. Catch-and-release fishing for big rainbow trout with artificial lure and flies, with single barbless hooks, will continue through the winter. The Reel Deal Fishing, hunting, football, campfires, and possible "cast-n-blast" adventures (it's quail season!) - this is our cool wave of fall perfection. It also signals the return of trout to our... Full story
Anything that makes your favorite sport more fun, more rewarding, or easier is a welcome gift. For a shooter, there are a lot of great options at a variety of prices. Here are a few great gift ideas for the shooter in your life. Shooting Vest For Women Hey, just because a company throws some pink trim on a shooting vest, that doesn't mean it's great for women. Women are built differently than men, and a well-fitting vest is extremely important in a sport where lifting a shotgun to your shoulder... Full story
When it comes to enjoying the outdoors, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has led the nation in growth with a 38 percent increase in participation from 2013 to 2014, according to the Outdoor Foundation's 2015 Outdoor Recreation Participation Topline Report. But, as these human-powered watercraft become more common in crowded harbors, busy waterfronts and other navigable waterways, sharing the water with both recreational boats and commercial vessels requires paddlers to up their safety game. With... 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
Don McDowell - "Shake, Rattle & Troll" Radio El Niño is 'significant and strengthening,' could rival strongest on record even the Super El Niño of 1997. Perhaps more and bigger fish and much need precipitation this winter from the west coast. What does this mean to you, the angler? Extreme warm water currents have swung into the California coast bringing an early abundance of the migratory tuna and warm water species not normally found so close to our fishing grounds. Normally, we find Yellow T... Full story
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - An analysis of 2014 recreational boating accidents shows that drought makes boating riskier, according to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. Recreational boating accident statistics collected by DBW show that although the total number of reported boating accidents in the state fell slightly from 2013 to 2014, drought conditions persisting throughout the state bring additional risks. "As water levels drop, underwater hazards become more prevalent,"... Full story
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (July 20, 2015) – Boutique Air announced today that it will be initiating service between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Show Low Regional Airport (SOW) beginning August 1. The airline was recently awarded the Essential Air Service contract to provide service between the two communities after receiving strong support from local leadership and the broader community. "We are excited to bring Boutique Air service to Show Low and Phoenix," said CEO Shawn S... Full story
Maybe you're not old enough to remember Ben Avery. I grew up reading his outdoor stories in the Arizona Republic. Ben loved the outdoors and was a heck of a writer. He started writing in 1928 and continued for over 60 years. He received the highest honor that the Department of the Interior ever gives to a non-employee: The Conservation Service Award was bestowed on him in 1968 by then Interior Secretary Steward Udall. Ben Avery was the epitome of an outdoor writer, and the Game and Fish... Full story
Steve Roberts from Clear Lake, Iowa, had a great first trip to Lake Powell. He did his homework by reading all the fish reports on Wayneswords.com two weeks before his arrival. When he finally arrived, he couldn't wait to get out on the lake. He launched at Wahweap and headed through the Castle Rock Cut to Warm Creek and started fishing for bass. There were a few bass that cooperated but it was challenging fishing due to the cold front that had just passed by. Roberts then headed to the back of... Full story
Learn how to paddle and cast May 23 at Fool Hollow Lake in Show Low with a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. kayak fishing clinic. The clinic is free. Reserve a spot with a refundable registration deposit of $20. Class size is limited, so register by calling the AZGFD Pinetop office at (928) 532-3680. Why learn to kayak fish? Kayak anglers are a growing community of outdoors enthusiasts who enjoy the exercise, quiet, and ability to stealthily paddle into fishing areas that boats cannot reach. Catch fish, stay... Full story
SHOW LOW – Learn how to paddle and cast May 23 at Fool Hollow Lake in Show Low with a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. kayak fishing clinic. The clinic is free. Reserve a spot with a refundable registration deposit of $20. Class size is limited, so register by calling the AZGFD Pinetop office at 928-532-3680. Why learn to kayak fish? Kayak anglers are a growing community of outdoors enthusiasts who enjoy the exercise, quiet, and ability to stealthily paddle into fishing areas that boats cannot reach. Catch f... Full story
OLYMPIA - Fisheries managers are seeking public comments through April 1 on a state proposal to reopen recreational fishing for flounder, sole and other flatfish - except halibut - in Quilcene Bay and the northern portion of Dabob Bay in Hood Canal. To review and comment on the proposal, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/flatfish/ . The public also can provide input at a meeting scheduled March 19 in Port Townsend. Und... Full story
Tip Of The Week At Silver Creek, Cinda Howard of Fly Fish Arizona said fishing is good but has been getting tougher. Flies of choice have been bunny leeches in tan or black, Glo Bugs, San Juan worms and zebra midges. There also has been some top-water action, especially when the sun hits the water and generates midge hatches. Water temperatures are in the 40s. The Reel Deal We call them "incentive" trout for a reason: To get you out on the water and hopefully onto some big fish. The reports of... Full story