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Michelle and I live not far from the White Tank Mountains. As a matter of fact, you can see Barry Goldwater Peak, the highest point in the White Tank Mountains, from our back yard. Since moving to Arizona, I have said on more than one occasion, that I would like to hike to the top of those mountains. So, we did. The 13 mile round trip hike was a heck of a workout, but extremely rewarding. Here’s some images from our journey.
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Gearing up for my upcoming fly fishing trip to Pyramid Lake in search of some big Lahontan cutthroat trout, I kept running across the Pyramid Lake Tadpole fly pattern. The Pyramid Lake Tadpole is a fairly simple pattern and can be tied up in a number of different color variations. The Pyramid Lake Tadpole is typically fished in tandem with a wooley bugger on a fast sinking line. Its buoyancy coupled with the heavy sinking line allows the fly to bounce back along the bottom of the lake as it is stripped back.
Material List:
Hook: #6 Curved Caddis Hook (extra heavy for strength)
Thread: 6/0 Black Uni-thread
Tail: Marabou (optional to switch out for Krystal Flash)
Foam: Loco foam (Northern Lights) Note: Loco foam is expensive so I tied a bunch up using regular 2mm craft foam and some glittery craft foam I found at the local craft store.
Underbody – Purple Estaz Chenille
4 Comments
I follow and read a good number of blogs from around the country. I typically follow these blogs for the photography, tying tutorials, fishing reports or a good story. Arguably one of the most well fly fishing written sites on the web right now is Mysteries Internal by Erin Block. So when Erin put together a book that chronicled her journey through making a bamboo rod, I pre-ordered without a second thought.
The View from Coal Creek did not disappoint. Erin’s voice came through the pages crisp and clear as she described not only the beauty of the bamboo fly rod, but also the journey that she took to get there. It is not enough to say that Erin is a talented writer. It goes far beyond that. She is a magnificent storyteller and I look forward to many more to come.
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When I started doing research for flies for Pyramid Lake, the Maholo Nymph kept popping up on every Pyramid Lake fly list that I read. After some more research I found some pictures of what the Maholo Nymph was supposed to look like and made a stab at trying to recreate it with the materials that I had at hand. Although I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s going to work at Pyramid, I also think that the Maholo nymph could be tied up in some smaller sizes and make a great attractor pattern on some of the small creeks here in Arizona. Since it’s so bright and shiny, the Maholo nymph could be the ticket in the early spring when the water is still a bit high and off color.
The original Maholo Nymph was designed by Rod Anderson of the Reno Fly Shop. The name comes from a cross between the Hawaiian word for “thank you” and the Holographic tinsel used for the body of the fly.
Material List:
Hook: Curved Caddis/Shrimp Hook (I’ve been tying #10 and #8s for Pyramid)
Gold Bead
Thread: Black 70 Denier Thread
Tail/Wingcase/Legs: Pheasant Tail
Body: Red Tinsel (Sulky Holoshimmer Tinsel available in multiple colors at craft store)
Rib: Small Copper Wire
Thorax: Olive Ice-Dub (I substituted some red Simi-Seal Material on some of the different colored tinseled bodies)
Clear Cure Goo Tack Free
Optional: Pearlescent Tinsel for flashback wingcase
14 Comments
I had a great morning at the Payson Fly Caster meeting swapping fishing stories and talking about small streams. The guys and gals in that club are involved in a number of different conservation projects here in Arizona, and I was honored to be invited up to their club for the day.
After the meeting ended around 11, I still had the rest of the day to myself. I turned the truck east and walked through the woods to one of the creeks of the 260. I made my way to the stream and tied on a heavy streamer. The melting snow had swollen the creek and the fishing was quite slow. A small brown and a few holdover rainbows came to the net before I called it quits for the day.
I’m caught in that weird spot of the year where hunting seasons are over and the fishing remains a bit marginal. Looks like I will be catching up on some more tying and waiting with anticipation for the summer months full of big foam hoppers.
7 Comments
Rambling Review – Motorola Talkabout 2-Way Radios (Model # MT352PR)
Why:
Communication in the field is absolutely essential. I spend a good portion of October through February, chasing Gambel’s quail through the rugged Sonoran desert and when hunting with a buddy, it is critical to stay in contact with each other for safety and success on the hunt. As usual, I started searching for radios that would stand up to the elements and offer superior functionality. I believe I have found both in the Motorola Talkabout 2-Way Radios.
Note: It would be difficult, if not impossible, to list each and every feature about these radios. In this review, I listed and noted the highlights that stood out to me on multiple hunts in the field. The link above details the many features that are included in the Motorola Talkabout 2-way radios (Model # MT352PR).
First impressions:
Triplets – The Motorola Talkabout MT352PR Radios come in a three pack. This is perfect for most hunting situations that I find here in Arizona. Specifically while quail hunting, having three radios ensures that even if there are multiple hunters, we can remain in contact throughout the day.
Weatherproof – Although we do not see a whole ton of rain and snow during quail season, having equipment that is weatherproof is pretty important. Sweat, incidental splashes from water bottles, or the freak rain shower in the desert all require hunting equipment to withstand some amount of moisture.
Ear-buds and microphone – The Motorola Talkabout MT352PR Radios come with a set of ear-buds which also have a built in microphone. With the correct settings, the the Talkabouts become hands-free. I immediately thought of the implications of a spot and stalk hunt. By being hands free and spotter can stay in communication with the hunter in the field.
Field Use:
In my situation, the bulk of use that the Motorola Talkabout Radios see is quail hunting. One way or another, gear gets beat up in Arizona. You name it – the sun and heat, the brush, a random rainstorm, – Arizona has it. I probably hunted a dozen weekends this past season and the Motorola Talkabouts hung on man different vests and several of my hunting partners tried them out with me. The response was the same accross the board – “These radios are awesome.”
Most quail hunting situations puts hunters, at most, a couple hundred yards a part. Having said that, the ups and downs of Arizona’s washes and canyons can split hunters up very quickly. The Motorola Talkabouts were extremely functional in these situations. Where before we were relying on whistles, yelling, or hand signals, the radios kept us in constant contact. The rechargeable NiMH battery packs included with the radios lasted through 8 hours in the field with bars of power to spare. They are rated up to 15 hours of use. The battery packs can be substituted for three AA batteries if there is no power outlet handy.
Just out of curiosity, I did a real simple test where I put about a half mile and a large hill between myself and buddy. The radios worked without issue. The range on this particular model says they are good up to 35 miles. Having done some research, most of these ratings come with some sort of stipulation and factors that need to be taken into account.
One of the things that is very apparent about the Motorola Talkabout MT352PR Radios is that there are a ton of options and features. These radios can be very versatile, if you take the time to work through the owner’s manuel. I personally like the silent/vibrating feature as opposed to the loud beeps in the middle of the hunt. Another feature that shows some forethought is the built-in flashlight on the bottom of the radios. For those early morning hunts that begin before the sun comes up, the flashlight can come in real handy.
The radios come with a belt clip for each, but when bushwhacking through heavy brush I found that a Maxpedition CP-L radio case to fit perfectly on my hunting pack and quail vests. They are pricey, but well worth the investment in my opinion.
Pros:
Weatherproof
Rugged Construction
Good Battery Life
Excellent range for hunting trips
Hands free option/ear bud and mic
Cons:
35 mile range? (only under optimal conditions)
So many features that it is important to read the user manual to understand them all (I know that’s a stretch to make a con)
Prognosis: If your looking to improve communications in the outdoors, definitely check out the Motorola Talkabout 2-Way Radios.
* Disclaimer:
The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review. The Motorola Talkabout 2-Way Radios (Model # MT352PR) were provided by Motorola for the purpose of this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.
14 Comments
Like many fly fishermen, I spend a good portion of the winter nights tying flies. My humble Dyna-King Kingfisher vise sees many different hooks as I try to get ahead on filling orders and restocking my own boxes. This winter has been no exception and although a bulk of my time is spent grinding out mini-hoppers, I have also been working on putting together a Pyramid Lake fly box, refilling the empty San Juan slits, and twisting some bigger streamers for the late spring and early summer Arizona brown trout. In order to not be anti-social in my back room, I sprawl hide, feathers, foam, and synthetics all over the dining room table.
19 Comments
Rambling Review – The Q5 Bird Hunting Vest
Why:
The brutal landscape and sweltering heat of the southwest can make Arizona quail hunting a rugged experience. Having the proper equipment is critical. Dan Priest is an Arizona quail hunter with more than 50 years of experience in the desert chasing birds. He has put his vast knowledge to the test and designed one of coolest and well thought out bird hunting vests on the market. The Q5 Upland Hunting Vest is the first generation of this vest and Dan is already working on a new and improved model.
First impressions:
– Made in the USA – The Q5 Upland Hunting Vest is made in right here in the Arizona White Mountains.
– Accesseries – There are so many adjustments and attachments for the Q5 that it’s difficult to know where to begin.
– Material – The Q5 Hunting vests is built with 1000 Denier Nylon fabric and comes in Digital or Orange Camo. I am a big fan of the Digital.
– Fully Adjustable – With adjustable straps on the back of the Q5, the vest can be customized to different body types. With a few different straps to pull and tug on, the Q5 can be adjusted so that the hip belt rides comfortably and distribute the weight of the vest.
Field Use:
I spent a good portion of the season hunting in the Q5 Vest and was nothing but impressed. Although the vest is made of a highly durable material, it is extremely lightweight. Fully loaded with shells, water, first aid kit and camera, the vest distributes the weight right onto the hips with a heavy-duty, load-bearing belt.
The main portion of the bird hunting vest has 4 pockets for all the odds and ends that hunters carry into the field. There are also a couple of straps located on the bottom of the pack where a fleece or shirt could be attached after the chill of the morning wears off. I found that the zippers rattled a bit too much for me, but some black athletic tape did the trick. In my opinion, the Q5 excels in the hot southwestern environment. Its light weight, but rugged build can stand up to the harsh desert, while the well-ventilated back makes it ideal for warmer temperatures.
Although I think the Q5 Hunting Vest excels as a bird vest, the creator Dan Priest went one step further. The “bird bag” and pockets are actually able to put taken off and substituted for a daypack. The Day pack is also made of the 1000 denier fabric and seamlessly fits into the shoulder straps and weight bearing belt. It is a pretty cool option for someone who is looking for a bit more than just a bird hunting vest.
The vest comes with a couple of other cool features. Both the “bird bag” and “daypack” are hydration bladder ready and there is a tube clip on the shoulder strap that makes the hydration bladder a very easy addition to the vest. The two front pockets (although plenty big enough) can be substituted for even bigger pockets. The vest also comes with two electronic pouches that fit right on the shoulder straps. All these extras are included with the original vest purchase, so you can customize without having to buy anything aftermarket.
One of best aspects about purchasing the Q5 Hunting Vest is:
A percentage of the proceeds go to Arizona Outdoor Adventures, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthy outdoor activities for underprivileged children. Go to www.azoutdooradventures.org for further information.
Pros:
Made in Arizona
Great design and well thought out
Lightweight
Great for warm weather
Durable 1000 denier fabric
Semi-customizable with different attachments
Cons:
Cost (although this vest is worth it)
Zipper tabs are noisy (After speaking with Dan about the zippers, future vests will have a rubberized cover on the zippers to cut down on noise.)
Prognosis: I truly believe that the Q5 Upland Hunting Vest is an excellent choice for any upland hunter, but particularly Southwestern hunters. The vest is a great lightweight option that carries a full load very comfortably in the field. I look forward to see what future Q5 vests are going to have in store.
* Disclaimer:
The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. The Q5 Upland Hunting Vest was provided for the purpose of this review. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.