Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Boating safety advocates across the U.S. and Canada are teaming up to promote safe and responsible boating, including consistent life jacket wear each and every time boaters are on the water, during National Safe Boating Week, held from May 17-23, 2014. National Safe Boating Week is the official launch of the 2014 North American Safe Boating Campaign. This yearlong campaign promotes safe and responsible boating and the value of voluntary life jacket wear by recreational boaters through the... Full story
Lake level remains fairly constant with a slight drop to 3574 MSL. We hope spring runoff holds off for another few weeks as the Castle Rock Cut deepening project will continue until the last week of April. The best news is that the Cut will be deepened down to 3575 MSL, meaning that the lake only has to come up 5 feet or so from the present level to allow boats to take the shortcut. That will save much time, fuel and aggravation with rough water in the main channel detour. My guess is the cut... Full story
Residents of the desert should always remember one simple rule when the weather begins to warm: know where you are placing your hands and feet. "That one rule can help people avoid the majority of potentially dangerous encounters," said Tom Jones, amphibians and reptiles program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "People shouldn't fear snakes and other reptiles, and only need to use caution and common sense to coexist with them." Critters such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, and... Full story
Grand Canyon, Ariz. - The Arizona Department of Transportation will open Highway 67 to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on Thursday, May 15 by 8:00 am; and Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, a Forever Resorts property, and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will commence their 2014 seasonal operations. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations include lodging, groceries, camper services, food services and a service station. All concessioner facilities will open at 10:00 am with the exception of the...
Boaters can get frustrated when a repair or upgrade takes a long time, but delays are often a simple result of supply and demand. "Spring and summer can be the most challenging times to get work done on a boat because everyone else wants their work at the same time," said BoatUS Director of Consumer Affairs Charles Fort. But, with a little foresight boaters can get the services they need - sometimes at a better price - now. And, some things on a "to do now" list don't require outside help. Here... Full story
Weather is warming and trees are budding in the high desert. It s time to start thinking about fishing and what to expect from Lake Powell in 2014. The lake has dipped to the lowest point since 2005 leaving brushy cover high and dry on the shoreline. Fortunately, there has been modest precipitation in the Colorado River drainage. When runoff starts, the lake should rise from the currently level of 3575 MSL back to 3600 MSL or perhaps a bit more. Also fortunately, the Castle Rock Cut is being... Full story
Tip Of The Week Spring bass fishing can be excellent, and there's one technique that can turn average bass days into exceptional ones. During the pre-spawn (generally water temperatures of less than 55 degrees), when targeting big, transitioning bass in the shallows, try dyeing your soft plastic bass lures orange. Water clarity is generally limited in our warm-water fisheries right now, and an orange tail can help trigger bass feeding on crawfish. During a spawn (when water temperatures are at... Full story
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (March 31, 2014) – One of Mexico’s most popular boat expos is returning to Cabo San Lucas for its fifth consecutive year May 15–17, 2014, and the Bahia Hotel & Beach Club is proud to participate as a sponsoring hotel. Cabo Marine Show attendees and participants are encouraged to take advantage of special lodging rates for the dates of the expo. Additionally, in conjunction with the Los Cabos Tourism Board, the hotel will host visiting journalists covering the event. Mexic...
SPOKANE -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is conducting controlled burns on parts of two wildlife areas in northeast Washington to reduce wildfire risks and enhance wildlife habitat. WDFW crews have already begun a controlled burn in the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in Okanogan County. Depending on weather conditions, controlled burns also could be conducted as soon as April 1 in the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area in Ferry County. Recent wildfires demonstrate the importance of... Full story
Bill Luke Bass Days is the Southwest's largest family fishing tournament and festival - held March 14, 15, 16 at Lake Pleasant. This year's 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, carnival rides, vendors, food, wildlife exhibits and live music. Tournament Prize List The prizes for this year's Bass Days Tournament are spectacular. This year's... Full story
There's a lot to be said for owning small runabouts, center consoles or bow riders. While they are affordable, easy to store, and can keep everyone in the family happy, they have their limits, though, if you want to venture into coastal waters and big lakes. But these journeys can still be done, with the right ten pieces of equipment. Here's what Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) recommends should be aboard every boat 20 feet or smaller: Paddles If your engine quits, paddles... Full story
I started fishing off Cape Town, South Africa, when I was six years old, and haven't quit since. Emigrating to the United States in 1977, I was delighted to discover the excellent boating and fishing in Southern Calif. I presently reside in North San Diego County, which I consider "God's country" for weather, boating and fishing. I purchased Reel Busy new in 2007 and covered approximately 11,000 miles with 1,600 engine hours. (Suzuki's engines are good for 5,000-7,000 trouble-free hours, with pr... Full story
Bill Luke Bass Days is the Southwest's largest family fishing tournament and festival - held March 14, 15, 16 at Lake Pleasant. This year's 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, carnival rides, vendors, food, wildlife exhibits and live music. Tournament Prize List The prizes for this year's Bass Days Tournament are spectacular. This year's... Full story
By Nick Walter, AZGFD Hello, anglers, Get ready for more winter trout stockings; they began Jan. 13 in the Verde River (Clarkdale to Camp Verde), Fain Lake, the Lower Salt River, Saguaro Lake, Patagonia Lake, Pena Blanca Lake, Fortuna Pond and Redondo Pond. See our nifty Fish&Boat Arizona map for finding the state's best fishing and boating spots. In addition to an incredible turnout for the kickoff fishing clinic and trout stocking at Pioneer Lake in Peoria, we received some great anglers... Full story
Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with fee-free entry into the park on Monday, Jan. 20. Park visitors are reminded that fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, reservations, tours, or use of concessions. Park entrance stations will have the Interagency Senior and Annual Passes available for those who wish to purchase them. Visitors who plan to spend time in the... Full story
PINETOP, Ariz. – Would you like to know more about one of our great symbols of national pride – the bald eagle? Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists will conduct their annual educational seminar for the public on bald eagle natural history at the department's Pinetop office on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. The program is free to the public and will consist of a classroom presentation about bald eagle life history, identification, behavior patterns and current status in Arizona and Nor... Full story
You never know when a storm is going to hit, even if you pay close attention to all the weather forecasts. One day in Abaco, Bahamas, we knew there was a storm coming and, like other boaters, picked what we thought would be a safe marina. It would have been safe, if the storm had done what it was forecasted to do. The following story is from our log written as the storm was happening. Our knots came in very handy because we had no time to even think. We just had to tie the right knots and tie... Full story
Each year America's State Parks announces a national collaboration of all 50 State Park systems across America to sponsor guided "First Day Hikes" on New Year's Day. Arizona State Parks will charge day-use entrance fees only for the First Day Hikes at 13 different parks on Jan. 1, 2014. According to State Parks Director Bryan Martyn, "We are committed to promoting outdoor recreation as a way to get families outside and unplugged from their video games and other electronic media. This is a great... Full story
Keep in mind that here in Arizona, there is plenty of year-round fishing. Bass and other sport fish may not be as active, but they are still catchable. In many cases; it's a matter of slowing down your presentation and going to smaller baits. Some pro anglers, on the other hand, have been known to not only slow down their presentations, but also upsize their offerings to make it worthwhile for big bass to dine. The Reel Deal It's winter trout and crappie time. First, The Trout There are rainbow... Full story
Knowing more about where to look, how to look and what you are looking for in a given environment can greatly enhance your wildlife-watching experience. People often miss animals that are very near because they are not thinking about looking for wildlife. To begin to see more wildlife, you need to focus on looking for it using all of your senses. Where to Look Think like wildlife. Learning a little about what wildlife needs to survive gives clues to where you can find them. Different species... Full story
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is now closed to vehicle traffic for the season. Arizona State Route 67, leading to the North Rim closed on December 2, 2013. State Route 67 and all services on the North Rim are expected to re-open for the 2014 season on May 15, 2014. Campground, Yurts Available The North Rim campground and yurt will still be available for winter camping, and are accessible via inner canyon trails from the South Rim or by cross-country skiing and snowshoeing- a 45-mil... Full story
Things can get hectic in the winter – the kids are still in school and the holidays can make everyone feel rushed. Getting outside and taking a nice long hike can be one of the most relaxing things you can do. Exercise reduces stress, and if your kids are going stir crazy, letting them burn off steam on the trail will go a long way toward restoring peace in your home. You don't have to take the entire weekend off, or even a whole day – there are probably places to hike right near where you liv... Full story
"We got down to the Banks yesterday midday, " reported Excel skipper Justin Fleck January 1, 2014. "After bouncing around a little bit the fishing has been good. Most of the fish we're catching fish from 50 to 100 pounds. We got several fish in the 170 to 195-pound range, and we caught one Cow at 210 pounds yesterday afternoon. Anyway we're getting steady action, they started biting in the morning, and we usually have two or three hooked. The guys are having a good time, the weather is coming... Full story
I started fishing off Cape Town, South Africa, when I was six years old, and haven't quit since. Emigrating to the United States in 1977, I was delighted to discover the excellent boating and fishing in Southern Calif. I presently reside in North San Diego County, which I consider "God's country" for weather, boating and fishing. I purchased Reel Busy new in 2007 and covered approximately 11,000 miles with 1,600 engine hours. (Suzuki's engines are good for 5,000-7,000 trouble-free hours, with pr... Full story
All over the country - well, at least in the Desert Southwest - fall is in full swing and recreational boaters and anglers are trying to squeeze in their last good day on the water. But when they do, boaters need to follow a safety playbook appropriate for this time of year. That's because boaters often let their guard down when safety becomes an even greater challenge. What makes fall boating safety so different? The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water explains: Beware Of... Full story
