I am halfway through my third full year of posting here on Arizona Wanderings, and honestly I love it. Living in the desert puts me at a distinct disadvantage to some of my blogger friends who are blessed with what I consider destination fishing and hunting locations. Writing and posting on AZW gives me an outlet to write, and ultimately it keeps me sane until I can get back in the woods or on the water. I have always enjoyed writing and photography, and pretty much from the beginning, I write, and if someone shows up to read, that’s great. Numbers have never concerned me too much, but of course I enjoy hearing from people and knowing that they have found something that I have written to be useful or interesting.
I fully intend to continue writing trip reports, gear reviews, book reports, and tying tutorials. I have some plans to increase the selection of flies that I tie, AZWanderings clothing that I sell, and hopefully some more informative e-books on hunting and fishing here in the Southwest. I also will be periodically highlighting some of those great outdoor organizations here in Arizona that are dedicated to wildlife and the heritage of hunting and fishing.
I guess what I want to say is that as much as Arizona Wanderings is for me, I also want it to be a positive experience and resource for my few cherished readers. What I want to know is this:
- Who are you and where are you from (state or country)?
- How did you find Arizona Wanderings?
- Are you a hunter, fisherman, both, or other?
- What else can I do to make Arizona Wanderings better?
- What topics are you most interested in reading about?
- What type of flies/products/e-books would you like to see in the Arizona Wanderings Shop?
- Any other feedback?
Feel free to leave a comment or if you are more comfortable, please shoot me an email. (ben@azwanderings.com) Wether you are a regular commenter or a “behind the scenes lurker,” I want to hear from you. Thanks for all your help and I look forward to hunting, fishing and writing for many years to come.
Ben
Hey Ben, I’ll go.
I’m Kirk. I’m originally from Utah, but my education took me to SoCal for 4 years and I am currently living in Northewestern Mississippi in a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee. I graduate for good in just over a year, and I plan on heading to the Rockies – somewhere!
I found Arizona Wanderings through another blog (Hopper Juan’s, maybe?). I primarily fish, but I do hunt, and I hope that as my career settles down I will have more opportunities to hunt both birds and big game.
I read Arizona Wanderings primarily for the fishing and hunting reports. I really enjoy hearing about your successes and failures in the field. I feel that too many blogs focus on the trophies they catch/shoot. How about all the great days we have out where we don’t catch or kill anything? I appreciate that you share some of those days with us as well, and I hope that it will continue. I’ve got absolutely nothing against a good grip and grin photo though, so keep the success stories coming as well!
I am interested in a few of the gear reviews that you do, but no so much in others. I also like the step-by-step fly patterns. I appreciate the job you have done highlighting the hunting and fishing organizations in your area.
To be honest, the rest of the stuff I gloss over. I’m not going to buy anything (shirts, flies, e-books, etc.), and I don’t read your promotions for those things. It wouldn’t bother me if they weren’t here, but that is just me.
Hope this is helpful. Keep it up. I really enjoy your site.
-Kirk
Kirk,
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer. I appreciate your candid response and am glad that you enjoy reading about my time in the field and on the water. I appreciate hearing from you and hope to continue fishing, hunting, and writing about the good times spent outdoors. Thanks for your insight.
Ben
My name is Ty I’m a native to Arizona I cant recall how how I came upon your site it earlier likely through azflyandtie.
I would consider myself both, however most of my time is spent fishing. I would think that my time will even out as my boys get bigger they love the outdoors so we will eventually do both.
I think you have a done well with what you cover. I do like tutorial on different things like flys or other things you might do. Keep up the great things you are doing and if in time I have any suggestions I will let you know.
I like the topics you cover at this time and I am sure you will cover more in time as you get drawn and experience different things. I just enjoy reading about the fly fishing and hunting topics. As well your post about the different organizations are great because it is making me want to get more involved and hopefully as things slow down in my life I will.
I would like to see anything that you have regarding Arizona and bordering states. Even though I haven’t purchases anything doesn’t mean I won’t. I am the kind if person that dives in and looks for information when I need it or else I forget most of it. Keep up the great post and I am sure there is a lot more good things to come.
Ty
Thanks Ty. I appreciate the suggestions and kind words. I’ve got a couple of good fly tutorials in the queue ready to post, so stay tuned for them here in the near future.
Ben
Sorry for all the errors it’s hard to view on my phone.
I was born in the White Mountains, but now unfortunately live on the dry dessert valley floor. My family had some nice bird dogs and we did a lot of quail hunting when the dogs were young for Gambles quail. However, now my gun dog is spoiled and ‘’retired’’ now. I strictly Fly-fish to get the outdoor fix these days although I still have the 870 and plenty of quail shot. I found your blog either via Oak Creek Angler or AZFAT forum. I was amazed how smart a career choice teacher is for an outdoorsman (with all the summer vacations and holidays to really get away for more than a weekend) My Dad was also a teacher but on the WMAT for a period before we moved down the hill to the valley. My education took me to NAU for a few semesters but now I’m still pursuing a Biology degree at ASU Polytech. Maybe I should change majors to childhood education like my father if I hope to fish and hunt as much as you guys do!
I read Arizona Wanderings primarily for the fishing hunting and gear reports. I really enjoyed the backcountry article and many others I can’t recall at the moment. I have a few ideas for new articles I suppose. 1) I would still like to see a snake boot review, before I bite the bullet and get a pair. Some of places we go are remote and the boots really give you protection and piece of mind in the backcountry loaded with rattle snakes. 2) Some cast and blast blogs would be different. For instance, trout and turkey on the rim (I believe you did that already) or maybe bass and quail combo on the Verde etc. 3) A return trip to the backcountry in the fall for the big spawning salmo trutta’s of course. Also, more bird dogs for the quail hunts would be right up my ally. Good luck and great job so far, keep up the good work.
Eric,
Thank you very much and I’m glad you found my site. Trust me, I am angling to get in some more backcountry trips here in the next 6 months or so. I also like the snake boot idea and will see what I can do. Thanks for the support.
Ben
Hey Ben. I think you already know me. Mark from Northern California Trout. I live about an hour and a half southeast of Sacramento, California.
Been following for quite a while and like what you write although I have to admit that I only read your posts on fishing. I gave up hunting many, many years go.
I think you can tell how you’re doing by the number of repeat viewers you have and the number of comments you get. I like they way you have the home page set up and hell, if you like it, others will follow.
Mark
Mark,
I have appreciated your continued support and readership. I’m glad you like the new setup and layout of the site. It is always something I fiddle around with and I’m sure I’ll change it again in the future, but for now I like it. Thanks again.
Ben
Ben,
Primarily, I am a bass and catfish angler, but I was introduced to Quail hunting by my brother last year and fell in love with it. As an Arizona resident and native, naturally I went looking for some local information on quail hunting. Surprisingly, there just isn’t that much information out there on hunting in Arizona. When I found your site I couldn’t get enough of the quail hunting posts. I think I have read them all at least three times. I also bought your first e-book “Hunting Gambel’s Quail” (awesome book) and am planning on using it this fall to find more quail down here in the Tucson area. I am also loving your gear reviews. This is one of the most relevant and informative sights i have come across for an Arizona sportsman. Personally, I would love to see more on hunting. But I still enjoy reading about your fly fishing adventures.
Thanks for the great info.
Thanks Ricky and I am really glad you found the Hunting Gambel’s Quail Book useful as well as the quail hunting posts. Arizona sure has some great hunting and I cherish every moment I can get out. I’ll continue with the gear reviews for sure and I’m waiting anxiously for October and the return of quail season.
Ben
hello, i live in flagstaff and have been fly fishing for a few years now and have just started to get into hunting as well. i found your site through azf&t and glad that i did! i am looking forward to checking out the small streams book in the near future. The thing i really like about your site is that you update often. it seems like i can check back once a week or so and there is something new to read. it keeps my attention(which isnt easy to do). keep up the good work!
Thanks Scott. AZFAT is a great resource and I am glad that you were able to find your way to Arizona Wanderings. I try to keep the site fresh and up to date and glad that you feel it’s not stagnant. I’d love to hear your thoughts once you pick up the small streams book. Thanks for the insight.
Ben
Hey Ben,
My name is Kirk, and I live in the wonderful state of AZ. I heard about you and your site from a mutual friend Jason. I am only a flyfisherman, and that is all I need.
I absolutely love your site, and on those weeks that I am unable to go fishing for extended periods of time, I live vicariously through your site. I really do enjoy reading about your trips and experiences, and the pictures you post really bring the stories home for me.
One thing from your experiences that really helps me are your flies. I have 2 of your own flies in my box that have caught me fish (Mini Hopper and popper/gurgler). I would love to see some other variations of patterns that you tie and how you tie them. I think one thing about fly fishing and tying is the variety in patterns and techniques you learn from others that really extends one’s knowledge and skill level. I really enjoy your approach to fly fishing, it really feels like your willing to learn and expand your knowledge and skills. That approach seems to be missing in the sport of fly fishing.
Just keep up the good work man, no matter where I end up throughout the country your site will be one I frequent and enjoy for ages.
Thanks for the support Kirk. I definitely will be keeping up with variations of more patterns. Thanks again for the kind words.
Ben
Hello Ben,
I have lived in the valley for about 30 years. I stared flyfishing 13 years ago, quail hunting 7 years ago, Turkey hunting 3 years ago and am putting in for my first deer tag this fall. I really enjoy the narrative story telling and photo journal style of your postings. I have 2 daughters and hunting/fishing opportunities are much fewer now than in the past. You fish many of the same streams that I hit. Your blog allows me to escape to those areas when I can’t really be there.
Thanks and keep up the good work
Thanks for the positive encouragement Phil and I’m glad to know that AZW allows you to escape the work week. I know it helps me. Thanks again.
Ben
Hi Ben, my name is also Kirk. Apparently Kirks are predisposed to blogging, or at least having bullheaded opinions and feeling compelled to share them 😉
I hail from southeastern Virginia, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. I hunt and fish. Primarily fish for largemouth on ultralight spin tackle, and primarily hunt waterfowl.
I think I found AZ Wanderings via the OBN, maybe a year or more ago??
Better? Gosh. I think that’s up to you. I read for two very different reasons: 1) for tips on outfitting/hunting/fishing that are applicable to me. And 2) to read about exotic places and species that I may never see myself. Even though I’ve been to Arizona about a dozen times (mostly work, or en route to CA), I’ve never fished or hunted there.
On the shop, I mean, I dunno. I’m always a good sucker for a good hat. I just bought a hoodie and a t-shirt from Southern Culture on the Fly. Pretty happy with those. Don’t make it corny. Any flies that are ubiquitous to other regions but unique – i.e. terrestrial dry flies for big largemouth.
Thanks Kirk. I appreciate all the Kirks that read and have commented. Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions. I’ve been angling to get some hats, hoodies, and another shirt up. Hopefully I can make that happen in the near future. Thanks again for your help and comment.
Ben
Well, you are probably gonna have to step up your game, for when we all launch the Outdoor Kirks Blogger Network this summer. I think our slogan will be “Yeah, shut up. Like you have a better story.”
Hahahahahaha.
Howard from Windknots & Tangled Lines and Colorado neighbor. I was sort of late to the game, but I really enjoy Arizona Wanderings because I love Arizona and enjoy reading your adventures. I’ve become a fly tying nut and really enjoy posts about fly tying in the west. I don’t hunt any more (not that I did that much to begin with). I would say that you have a good mixture of outdoor activities and don’t change a thing. Finally, you’ve given bloggers a voice and that’s much appreciated. Continued success!
Thanks Howard for the support.
Ben
hey ben.
my name is morgan, and i am originally from prescott,AZ. i moved to wyoming when i was 22 (im now almost 30) to become a hunter and feed myself with a rifle and a fly line. i guided bird hunts for 5 years before i decided i needed to further my education, which brought me to laramie, where i have been for the last 2 years. as im sure you know it can be difficult to find time to hunt as a student, but i do find myself on the water at least one hundred days a year (living on scholarship can be difficult, right?). i found your blog simply by nostalgia; i missed my home. while i find the fishing for trout here in wyo a bit more fruitful, i am painfully aware of just how much i miss the creeks (especially those that are clear…) and canyons of arizona. i am looking for exactly what you provide here on az wanderings; keep up the good work. it is nice to have an eloquent window into a world i miss so dearly.
-morgan ford
p.s. you might find some of my video footage on vimeo interesting, look under WY Fly media.
Thanks Morgan, and I’m glad that AZW can offer a window back home for you. Thanks for the support and I’ll be sure to check out your videos.
Ben
Hi. My name is Boone. I’m a fourth generation Arizonan and been flyfishing and hunting for most of my 54 years. While that sounds old to some of you, hold on, it goes by fast. I’ve had the fortune to fish most states, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, NZ, flats, etc. most of the “bucket list” places. After all that I’d rather catch 6 inch apaches on a 2 wt. Chase quail around all fall/winter behind 3 brittanies. I think I found your site on azflytie. At this point I just enjoy reading articles about fishing remote areas. I stil get out most weekends, but it gives me something to do during the week. I did buy a few flies and a video as a gift. Keep up the good work. .
Thanks Boone for the kind words. Sounds like you are a kindred spirit. Thanks again for the encouragement.
Ben
My name is Ian, I grew up in Tucson, AZ(for the most part), neither of my parents are into hunting or fishing, but I always had a strong desire to do both. I started out fishing in local lakes but soon moved to the SRP chain lakes, the streams up in Sedona, white mountains, the rim, lees ferry, etc…
I used to have a German Shorthaired pointer that I trained to hunt quail, one of my favorite things was chasing mearns in the rolling hills of the south, seeing the antelope in some of those spots. I hunted Coues deer many times, I got my first Elk in AZ, so alot of your posts bring back great memories.
I found your site through Oak Creek Angler, which I found through a blogger I know from Connecticut(where I reside now and for the last 7 years).
I am only a fisherman now, I haven’t hunted in years, however saltwater fly fishing in New England is really like hunting. I release 99% of the fish I catch. I have some buddies who hunt pheasants and give me some great feathers to tie with.
I really enjoyed your mini-hopper, but I really like to see the reports and pictures as it brings back memories and makes me want to come back to AZ to visit some of the cool places I have been. One of my favorite things(I havent seen on your blog yet) was chasing smallmouth and catfish on the Black River, forget which Reservation, but had some epic days out there.
Anyhow, good blog, keep up the good work.
Thanks Ian. I appreciate the kind words and suggestions.
Ben
Hey Ben. I’m Colton from Coolidge, Arizona (where I still live). I’m 16 and love to fly fish. Your blog is a great way to fin solace in not being able to fish. I heard about it from AZ Fly and Tie- let’s hope it gets back up soon! (username: newby). I love to read about your well-written adventures. I am an avid hunter and when september rolls around I go bird crazy. I think your mini-hoppers are one of my favorite patterns- trout and bluegill alike LOVE them. I just hope to be able to tie them myself soon because I am broke! Above all, I want to know where you cuaght those brookies! LOL JK, I know, it’s a secret. Your reports really make me want to fish with you, you sound like an interesting person.
Thanks for the kind words Colton. Keep on fishing AZ and you’ll find those brookies.
Ben