Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Starting this month, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hopes to conduct controlled burns on parts of the Sinlahekin, Scotch Creek, and Sherman Creek wildlife areas in northeast Washington to reduce wildfire risks and enhance wildlife habitat. Depending on weather conditions and approval from the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), controlled burns could start as early as April 12 on a total of 27 acres of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in Okanogan County. Also... 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
The warming spring weather brings out "the best in show". Make that plural: shows! The first of the Arizona favorites is the 16th annual International Sportsmen Exposition & Arizona Boat Show, this year at WestWorld of Scottsdale from Thursday, March 10 through Sunday, March 13. One of the highlights of the Expo is shown on this month's cover - the giant WesternBass.com Aquarium Demonstration Tank, which is presented again this year by Arizona Boating & Watersports/Western Outdoor Times news... 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
Recent rain and snow storms' bringing both snowpack up north and flooding across the West and Midwest have many thinking that water levels in surrounding lakes and rivers will be increasing as the year progresses. Add lower gas prices to the mix and boaters will be coming back to the water this spring in droves. Power boaters, sailors, paddlers - many will be ill prepared to deal with the problems of a sudden spring or summer storm that this record-breaking El Nino season will be offering. Time... 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
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
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
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
The plant's scientific name is your first clue that it is something that you do not want. Botanists know it as Salvinia molesta. It's commonly known as giant salvinia. Native to South America, the floating fern made its way to the United States via the ornamental plant industry. It's pretty, but the beauty belies serious economic and ecological harm that usually follow when it is accidentally or purposely released into the wild. John Naugle would know. He's a fisheries biological technician at... Full story
(Phoenix, AZ - February 18, 2016) - For the entire month of March 2016, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)/Arizona State Parks (ASP) is coordinating activities throughout the state for the 34th annual celebration of Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month (AAHAM). These events will focus on efforts to preserve our past by protecting our cultural resources. AAHAM combines education with entertainment to reach both adults and children in an effort to teach responsible... Full story
Kingman, Arizona - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Kingman Field Office, in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will conduct a prescribed burn in the Hualapai Mountains 16 miles southeast of Kingman, Arizona, in the coming weeks. Weather permitting, burning may begin as early as February 22, 2016, and is expected to be completed within three to five days after ignition. The burn areas are located in the south and east end of the Hualapai Mountains in upper Blue Tank... Full story
Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to join Charley Bulletts for a special hour long dark skies presentation at Mather Point Amphitheater on February 26, 2016 at 7:30 pm. Charley Bulletts is an enrolled member of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians and Cultural Resource Director of the Southern Paiute Consortium. Located north of Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, the Kaibab Paiute Tribe was recently recognized as the world’s first dark sky nation by the Internati... Full story
Ending nearly a 10-year decline, watercraft registrations in Arizona rebounded this year, bringing more people to the state's waterways and likely contributing to an increase in watercraft-related accidents. Two Increases To date this year, there were 127,796 watercraft registered in Arizona, which is a 2.7-percent increase from the 124,425 registered in the state in 2014. With the increase in registrations, law enforcement officers statewide recorded a 13-percent jump in watercraft-related... Full story
For Washingtonians, the start of the new year is a great time to hunt for waterfowl, fish for steelhead, and enjoy the annual spectacle of bald eagles, snow geese, elk, big-horn sheep and other wintering wildlife. But weather is an important consideration. Preparation is essential for any outdoor activity, especially in winter. Check the weather conditions, river conditions and road conditions – and let people know where you’re going before heading out. Those hardy souls that do head out... Full story
The State Parks in Arizona are offering guided hikes for New Years Day as part of a program called 1st Day Hikes. Guided hikes are great, even if you are an experienced hiker, because the guides will have lots of information about the area that you might not have known. The State Parks are great places to visit at any time, and the opportunity for a free guided hike is a bonus. Generally, the weather is cool on New Years Day, but at higher altitudes, you should add layers. Also, bring your own w... Full story
Information provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As we begin 2016, a week of heavy rains are predicted 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 a... Full story
Grand Canyon, Ariz.* – Over the last 24 hours Grand Canyon National Park has received heavy snowfall resulting in significant snow accumulation. The National Weather Service is predicting additional winter storm activity and heavy snow fall across Northern Arizona, including Grand Canyon National Park. The National Weather Service Flagstaff has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for areas including Grand Canyon National Park through Friday, January 8th. A Winter Storm Watch also remains in effect... Full story
It’s the most common forest feline that we never get a chance to see -- the bobcat (Lynx rufus). My chance came on a drizzly morning in late October on a hike near Skykomish. We drove up the long, gravel road to an empty trailhead, complaining about the rain and missing the spectacular view. But a hike in the rain meant solitude in the Wild Sky Wilderness, so we donned raincoats and loaded backpacks with camp stoves, trail mix and packets of tea. We went up the steep trail, chatting while our d... Full story
Recent rain and snow storms bringing both snowpack up north and flooding across the west and mid-west have many thinking that water levels in surrounding lakes and rivers will be increasing as the year progresses. Add lower gas prices to the mix and boaters will be coming back to the water this spring in droves. Power boaters, sailors, paddlers - many will be ill prepared to deal with the problems of a sudden spring or summer storm that this record breaking El Nino season will be offering. If yo... Full story
When: January 16, 2016 Time: 7:30 AM Where: Far East Valley, on Hewitt Station Road, about 1.5 miles off Queen Valley Road Details: Coffee, donuts and lunch will be served to volunteers. Volunteers please bring: buckets, gloves, rakes, water and sunscreens. OHV Vehicles will be useful, please remember a helmet Questions? Visit www.footprintsmatter.org or call 480-983-2171 More details here ________________________________________ Arizona Outdoor Expo--April 2-3 Join Tread Lightly! and the... Full story
SAN FRANCISCO – The Progressive® Insurance San Francisco Boat Show® announced today that following its initial El Nino weather-related postponement, the show will not be rescheduled to April as originally hoped, and as a result, has been cancelled for 2016. “Moving our show at the last minute, following the weather caused by El Niño for our original January dates, presented more of a challenge for our exhibitors and our logistics team than we anticipated. As a result, we wouldn’t be able to... Full story
We spoke in August 2015 that El Niño is "significant and strengthening," and could rival the strongest on record - even the Super El Niño of 1997. Perhaps there will be more and bigger fish and much-need precipitation this winter from the West Coast. Well it did and has, so did the fishing. As the sportfishing season comes to a close, let me clarify, the anglers are not as enthusiastic about going fishing now as earlier in the season. We're all used to the fish bailing out of the area and we g... Full story
TTL TO BE CLOSED -- Replacing the current inflated rubber Tempe Town Lake dam with concrete and steel will shut down the lake - probably next spring - for a period the city estimates will be more than one month. The news came from Tempe Senior Boating Coordinator Alicia Jerger, saying the new concrete and steel dam will be finished in "February or March," depending on weather delays. At that point, the city will divert the TTL water and, she says, "It is anticipated that refilling of Town Lake,... Full story
The Tonto National Forest are selling Christmas tree permits at Mesa, Payson, and Pleasant Valley Ranger districts and at the Supervisors Office at the hours and locations listed below. Permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until they are gone. In recent years, the Forest has not run out of permits. Permits can be purchased in person with cash, check, or credit card. Customers will be provided a map that shows the designated cutting areas along with additional Christmas tree... Full story
