Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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As a New Year begins, [it is interesting] to review where the Lees Ferry fishery has been in the past few years - and where it's headed. Fall 2013 Decline In the fall of 2013, there was a decline in the trout population due to much lower- than-normal water flows and warmer-than-normal water temperatures from Glen Canyon Dam. The lower water flows were part of the Experimental High Flow Event and the warmer water was a result of Lake Powell water levels' being low due to drought. This was the... Full story
CANYON LAKE, Ariz. — Boaters and other outdoor recreationists are advised that the Palo Verde Boat Ramp at Canyon Lake will temporarily close from March 1 through March 17 for a facility improvement project. Arizona Game and Fish has been working with the Tonto National Forest to maintain the pavement in and around the ramp, and this project will involve milling, crack-sealing, seal-coating and other services as necessary. During the work, the area from the main highway down to the ramp will b... Full story
"We're about a month away from opening day and we've already exceeded our goal of 140 exhibitors and vendors," commented Lake Havasu Boat Show producer, Bob Brown. "If this is an indicator of what the recreational boating season is going to be like this spring and summer, we may be headed for the best year on the water in a very long time." The 27th Annual Lake Havasu Boat Show, the largest boat show in Arizona and Nevada, sponsored by Jet Renu and Mohave State Bank, drops anchor at Lake Havasu... Full story
'Quality of life is measured by amount of time spent fishing.' In the last fish report we reported stripers and shad holding in the 15-30 foot depth range but suspected that colder weather would force both species to seek deeper water where temperature was more stable. With that in mind, we headed for Warm Creek to look for striper schools. We passed the floating restroom and slowed down and started graphing. This fall, the graph has printed a mostly blank screen in deep water with an occasional... Full story
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is now closed for the season. The North Rim is expected to re-open for the 2018 season on May 15, 2018. The North Rim campground is still be available for winter camping and is accessible via inner canyon trails from the South Rim or by cross-country skiing and snowshoeing - a 45-mile trip from Jacob Lake. To stay at the North Rim during the winter months, visitors will need a backcountry permit, which can be obtained from the Backcountry Information... Full story
Wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat in cold water - it could save your life, plus here are some good catching tips to snag a keeper this fall/winter. Nearly one-third of Arizona's boaters say fishing is their favorite activity to do while boating, and for many, fall is an ideal time of year to go out in search of that state record bass (or trout or catfish or ...). But, as the weather cools down, so does the water temperature. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that cold-water immersion and hy... Full story
SHOT Show officially starts tomorrow, but if you're lucky enough to get an invitation, the day before the show starts is Industry Day at the Range. This is the day when the manufacturers set up at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club, which is an excellent facility near Boulder City, Nevada with tons of room for the over 200 manufactures who let us handle their new products. This is the day for actually shooting the latest guns and checking out the great new optics and gear. If you've read John's g... Full story
The Key To Success Is Being Versatile Back in the day, Wes McCracken was one of the best anglers on the All Star Bass trail. The key to his success: he knew that you have to be versatile to catch fish consistently. "Every lake is different, and every year it's different, too," says McCracken. One thing that he can count on most of the time, though, is a worm bite of some sort. "Finding the fish is the hard part," says Wes. "Figuring out what they want is simply a process of elimination." This... Website
Webster Lake is a beautiful New England vacation spot, replete with trees and gently lapping shorelines, summer cottages that dot the lakefront, and children splashing in the shallow water. Webster Lake is also a lie.... Website
The annual Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at the Point Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, 11111 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Ariz. The event will honor the recipients of the 2017 Commission Awards that were selected at the Commission's Sept. 8 meeting. The purpose of these awards is to recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state's wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and the mission of the Arizona Game and... Full story
Willow Lake Loop Trail: Arizona's Newest Premier Trail Recently named an Arizona State Premier Trail by Arizona State Parks, Willow Lake Loop is a must-do hike. This trail covers rocky steep terrain, moderate terrain and some relatively flat terrain. On the western shore, the trail is clearly mellow and rambling with a wide flat trail, grassy expanses, and reflective lake views. The eastern shore, by contrast, is rambunctious and playful with billowing boulders to scramble over, small hidden... Full story
If you are a hiker in Arizona, traversing the various paths that are a part of the Arizona Trail is likely something you have done numerous times without a second thought. This 6,875 mile portion of the Great Western Loop has numerous terrains, climates, and hikes that are perfect for all hikers, new or seasoned. What Is The Arizona Trail? The Arizona Trail (AZT) is an 800+ mile thru-hike that stretches from the border of Mexico to the border of Utah. It was a teacher, Dale Shewalter, from... Full story
Patagonia Lake is a small reservoir about an hour south of Tucson. Formed by damming Sonoita Creek, this beautiful little lake offers good crappie, catfish, and bass fishing in Southern Arizona. The terrain around Patagonia is very different from the deserts surrounding the central Arizona lakes. Patagonia is at an elevation of 3,750 feet, and the surrounding country is grassy hills and scrub oak and juniper. Dan Marzano Takes Us To Patagonia Patagonia looks more like a midwestern lake than an... Full story
Before you know it, the holidays will be upon us and we'll all be scrambling to find the perfect gift for the people we love. If someone you love also loves the outdoors, here are some ideas that are sure to please. Good Maps Are Essential Build Your Own Whether your passion is fishing, hiking, hunting, off-roading, RV-ing, or geocaching, good maps are essential. The best way to get the perfect map is to visit MyTopo.com and build your own. These are especially great for hunters because you can... Full story
Fee machines have been installed and are available to pay fees for overnight camping on the Mesa, Cave Creek, Globe and Tonto Basin ranger districts. Timber Camp Campground, on the Globe Ranger District, and Burnt Corral, Cholla, Frazier Horse, Schoolhouse and Windy Hill campgrounds are currently open on the Tonto Basin Ranger District. The Tortilla Campground on the Mesa Ranger District opened for the winter on Oct.1. Fee machines are available at the Tortilla, Burnt Corral, Cholla,... Full story
The weather is cooling down, but lucky for us in Arizona we aren't about to be buried in snow. In fact for us, the most beautiful time of year is now settling in. What's more fun in the fall than camping? So, whether you'll be pitching a tent or lounging in an RV, there's very little preparation to get ready for amazing desert sunsets and outdoor life. Getting Ready For Camping Aside from making sure you have the right gear (tents/accommodations, flashlights, bug repellant, and the like), you wi... Full story
The Southwest's largest fishing, hunting, boating and travel consumer show, the International Sportsmen's Exposition and Arizona Boat Show® (ISE), will fill WestWorld's North Hall, giant Multi-Use Tent and the 10 acres of outside space. Show dates are March 22-25, 2018. All the Valley's top marine dealers have signed on to present more than 100 sport, pleasure and fishing boats, plus a houseboat at the Valley's only boat show. Marinas and marine-accessory exhibitors will expand the products... Full story
Last month, when I was writing about Grandparents' Day, I mentioned that we take our granddaughters on a big road trip/hiking trip every year. In between, we take a day now and then and just go to a small town or great place nearby. Since we've been doing these trips, small and big, for nearly two decades now, we've discovered some secrets to making every trip memorable and fun. Know Your Audience What is fun to a 5-year-old is not necessarily fun for an 18-year-old. What is safe for an 18-year-... Full story
Join Richard Childress, honorary chair for National Hunting and Fishing Day, in creating the next generation of conservationists. National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF Day), an annual celebration of hunters and anglers, features a new twist this year. Richard Childress, NASCAR legend and honorary chair for NHF Day, is asking hunters and anglers to participate in the new NHF Day Challenge by taking someone hunting, fishing or target shooting. You Could Win By pledging to introduce someone to the... Full story
Sunday, Sept. 10 is Grandparents' Day, and this year, we salute Marge and John Anderson who have shared the wonders of outdoors with their granddaughters for over two decades (and loved every minute of their times together). When we found out that our son and daughter-in-law were expecting their first baby, I quit my job so I could stay home and take care of her. Since the day she was born, Trinity has been the joy of my life. Then, three years later, Emily joined us, and brought us even more... Full story
After unprecedented storms rocked Lake Pleasant, Pleasant Harbor Marina is open for business and ready to host thousands of visitors over the upcoming holiday weekend (or any weekend for that matter). Enjoying a chance to cool off, yet staying close to home, makes Lake Pleasant the perfect destination for Labor Day (or any time). Pleasant Harbor Marina and RV Resort (www.pleasantharbor.com) is open to the public 365 days a year, and features Dillon's Bayou, boating, sailing and Jet Ski rentals,... 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. "We take a lot of pride in our park system because it showcases so beautifully what's unique about living in the desert southwest," said Chairman Denny... Full story
The Lake Havasu Marine Association has been notified that it has received the prestigious Arizona Game and Fish Department Award for Excellence. Marine Association President Jim Salscheider was nominated this year for the award by the Yuma Director of Arizona Game and Fish, Pat Barber. Barber cited the Marine Association's efforts in maintaining and enhancing Lake Havasu's fishing opportunities, wildlife conservation, and recreational boating safety as key elements for winning the award... Full story
Phoenix, AZ (September 26, 2017) –For two weekends, Lake Pleasant transforms into a spooky and very scary UN-pleasant destination. The 4th Annual Haunted Harbor at Lake Un-Pleasant will be held on October 20 & 21 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.and again on October 27 and 28 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. The entry fee is $12.50 per person.DAILY EVENTS Include: Food Trucks, DJ, Face Painting, Cotton Candy, Barrel Train Rides and Free Bounce House for the kids.Trunk-N-Treat (trick or treating) occur... Full story
If you know Wayne Gustaveson of Waynes Words, you have heard him say, "[the] quality of life is measured by [the] amount of time spent fishing." During the Southwest summer months, we would add this: " ... spent fishing on or near cool waterways." On page 8 (page 9 online) of this issue, Gustaveson writes of the great angling opportunities now at Lake Powell: "Lake Powell has lots of fish to catch." Fishing - perhaps considered by many the ultimate activity in watersports - offers us a chance... Full story