Arizona Wanderings

Arizona Fly Fishing: Catch and Release

February 19th, 2011

15 Comments

Arizona Fly Fishing: Sustainability

When most people think of Arizona, fly fishing is not the first thought that springs to mind. Although rattlesnakes and saguaro cacti are the typical icons of this great state, I would like to draw attention to another section of wildlife. Fish.

Arizona has some of the most rugged and beautiful landscape in America and nestled in this harsh desert and high mountains are some beautiful trout streams. Although many of them are of a put and take nature, there are several creeks that I frequent that have wild, naturally reproducing communities of browns, brooks, and rainbows. These watersheds are priceless and, in my opinion, extremely vulnerable and because of these reasons I believe it is important to practice certain strategies in order to protect and promote those gorgeous populations of trout.

Catch and Release: What this means is that even though I love the taste of trout cooked over a campfire, I do not take these wild fish home for a meal. I get the question every time someone finds out I went fishing for the weekend. “Did you bring any home?” Same response, “No, I let them go for next time.” I usually get the puzzled look and then have the opportunity to explain why I catch and release. By allowing wild trout to be released, I am hoping that that creek will continue to thrive and bring me the same joy and pleasure each time I go back to fish it.

Barbless Hooks: It is pretty simple to clamp down the barb on my hook when tying up a few flies and ultimately it makes the releasing part of “catch and release” simple and less traumatic for the fish. It has been claimed to lower the mortality rate of caught fish which is always a good thing in my opinion.

Leave spawning trout alone: Since natural reproduction is an important part of our Arizona fisheries, I think it is important to leave spawning trout alone. I had some awesome opportunities this year to fish during the fall and see many fish couples doing their thing and also multiple redds along the streambed. Leaving spawning fish alone, even though some of the big ones are now more visible, is an important aspect in a wild trout population’s sustainability.

Common sense/education: Lastly, I believe common sense and education is an important part of protecting wild trout fisheries. Washing boots, waders, and line are simple common sense steps that prolong the life of gear as well as keep the waterways clean. I am careful when I speak of these creeks and streams, for fear of who might be listening. I believe that in order to pass on these resources to our posterity, we must take the simple steps in order to preserve their sanctity.

Note: This blog entry is my submission for the GreenFish and Outdoor Blogger Network Writing Prompt Giveaway

Arizona Flies for Sale

February 18th, 2011

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Alright…those links are up on the side and are now officially working. Sorry about that. I appreciate the support and kind words that everyone is dropping off. It is always nice to hear from new folks who are finding the site, as well as the friends that continually stop by. Thanks again.

Ben

Arizona Flies for Sale…

February 16th, 2011

8 Comments

If you have been lurking around over the past few days, you may have noticed some additions to the side bar and footer. After having received quite a few emails and encouragements regarding selling some flies, I decided to take the plunge. So, to gauge a little interest, my brother made me up some pretty cool ads that sit on the side bar and at the foot of the page. Let me know what you think and if you are so inclined, click on the ad and take a look.

I am starting off simple with one of my favorite patterns, the mini-hopper. This is a great attractor pattern or indicator fly since it is bright and floats all day. It can pass as a hopper, caddis, stone, or any other number of terrestrials. A must have in your box for fishing small streams or the big waters. Click the ad above or one of the others on the side bar for more information on filling your box with the Arizona mini-hopper.

Mini-Hoppers3 — Mini-Hoppers in Green, Brown, Orange, and Tan

Small Midges for Big Water

February 13th, 2011

4 Comments

My normal routine is tying big bushy dry flies for the small streams here in Arizona, with the occasional pheasant tail or simi-seal bugger to drift when the fish are being lazy. Tying wicked small midges is something that is foreign to me and therefore a little daunting. With some plans this next year to get out and fish some of the bigger tail-waters in the Southwest, it was time to start facing my fears and tie something a little smaller than a #18 parachute. I put some feelers out and asked some questions and Mike over at Dry Flies and Fat Tires has really been helpful in pointing me to certain patterns and even sent me an assortment of midges he tied up to use as prototypes.

I tied up a large assortment of #18s and #20s but apparently for the San Juan and Lees Ferry, I am going to need to go smaller. So, I have started the journey of tying smaller midge and beatis patterns. The midges on the left are #22s and #24s where the ones on the right are some of the first flies I tied and most are #18s or #20s. Please bear in mind that this small stuff is relatively new to me, but I welcome any thoughts on the flies pictured below.

It’s Here: The Quail Hunting Forum

February 12th, 2011

2 Comments

With the end of quail season upon us, the Quail Hunting Forum has arrived to fill that void in your life. The world needs a dedicated forum for these often overlooked birds and with a little bit work and lots of love, the Quail Hunting Forum has been born. The site has a clean look and has the makings of a great blogroll dedicated to quail hunters. There is also an opportunity for outfitters and guides to advertise on the site.

Please stop on by and register a name. Let us know, who you are, where you are from, and how your season went. Looking forward to seeing you on the Quail Hunting Forum.

(Click to Enter)

Rambling Review – Nikon Monarch 10×42 Binoculars

February 9th, 2011

6 Comments

Rambling Review – Nikon Monarch 10×42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 10X42 — Nikon Monarch 10x42

Why:

Growing up in Pennsylvania and New York and hunting the deer that populated those woods is much different than hunting the higher desert landscape of Arizona. I quickly learned that just finding a well worn Pennsylvania deer trail and plopping myself down beside it was not going to work in the big country of the Southwest. “Glassing” is a way of life here in Arizona, as it is across much of the West. There is a ton of land that must be closely scrutinized and a quality pair of binoculars are important. Now a truly high-end pair of European binoculars (no specific names) can run up into the thousands of dollars. For some hunters that is doable and someday I hope to buy myself a pair. But for a teacher in the poorest paying state in the Union, it is impossible to think about spending that much money on a pair of binoculars. After much research and shopping around, I decided on a pair of Nikon Monarchs because the price and quality of these binoculars were both appealing to me.

First impressions:

Lifetime warranty – Some would argue that a lifetime warranty does not mean a thing, but when I am looking at a pricey tool that is going to see some rugged country, a warranty makes me sleep better at night. It proves to me that Nikon believes in their product and is willing to back it up.

Price – To my untrained eye, the difference between a thousand dollar pair of binoculars and a couple hundred dollar pair is not enough to warrant the extra cost. Let’s be honest, I could buy a nice new fly fishing set up for the difference. When I think about it in those terms it is an easy choice.

Features –Nikon claims that these Monarch binoculars are shockproof, fog proof, and waterproof. The rugged rubber design gives a sense of durability and protection for the prisms inside. The Nikon Monarch Binoculars also come with flip down front covers, a non-attached eye piece cover, and a case for the binoculars.

Field Use:

If you have spent some time reading through my wanderings, you will see that these binoculars have been through several seasons of hunting. My untrained eyes have gained quite a bit experience over the past several years as I have learned the finer points of glassing in Arizona.

Image quality has been fantastic. I know some people can tell a huge difference between these and other pricier binoculars, but I think the difference is negligible. I have put in long hours staring through these lenses searching and finding animals and they are extremely comfortable. Whether a low evening light or a bright Arizona day, the Nikon Monarchs really do the trick.

I prefer to use these binoculars with a tripod for stability. Because they are 10 power, just holding them without any support or trying to use your knees to steady the image can become annoying. They are powerful binoculars and therefore really should be used with a tripod. I had to buy an adapter to mount the binoculars on the tripod. Originally I bought a standard Nikon tripod adapter but have switched to the Swarovski quick release adapter (another gear review in the works to explain how wonderful the Swarovski adapter is). Once a quarry is spotted I dismount the binoculars from the tripod and where a binocular harness that keep these binoculars close to my chest but still functional for the stalk.

In my experience, Nikon’s shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof claims are for real. These binoculars have been put through the paces and stood up to some serious abuse. I was caught in one rainy day and they performed well throughout the day. Hot breath on a cold morning had no affect on the Nikon Monarchs.

Pros:

Shockproof, waterproof, fog- proof

Excellent image quality

Price

Lifetime Warranty

Cons:

Loose pupil eye cover

Tripod and adapter sold separately (which is not out of the ordinary)

PROGNOSIS: Great binoculars for an even better price. These should definitely be on your radar if you are looking to buy a new pair of optics.

* 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. 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.

Season’s end: Arizona Gambel’s Quail

February 5th, 2011

4 Comments

As me feet hit the pavement of the parking lot, my eyes picked up the silhouettes of running quail. A small covey must have been roosting close to the parking area that bordered this particular parcel of BLM land. Too close to really hunt, I shrugged into my upland vest and shouldered my shotgun in anticipation for my last hunt of this Gambel’s quail season.

I spent the morning slowly walking through a fairly flat couple of miles in search of Gambel’s quail and was able to scare up a couple of coveys. The first group of birds took flight and I swung on a fat male that folded nicely to the desert floor amidst a cloud of smoke.

Since the terrain was flatter than the stuff I normally hunt, I found these birds were more apt to run instead of flush. Hunting Gambel’s quail that are going to run all day is difficult and frustrating. I was finally able to turn a covey towards a hillside and after several flushes brought one more male to the game bag.

It was more than a little sad, making the trip back to the truck. Every season is full of memories and lessons from the field and it makes me thankful to have the opportunity to experience God’s creation in this way. The season closes tomorrow and ultimately my hunting is done until next fall. It must be time give the gun a thorough cleaning and turn my attention to filling the fly boxes while thinking about big brown trout to the north.

On a side note: Even though quail season is over, the Quail Hunting Forum will be launching on February 12th. Lend your voice to the discussion and fill everyone in on your season and thoughts. If you are interested in a sneak peak or a cool button to post on your blog, shoot me an email.

The Button

Rambling Review – Jetboil Flash Java Kit

February 2nd, 2011

7 Comments

Rambling Review – Jetboil: Flash Java Kit Cooking System

Why?

With all my outdoor wanderings, many nights can find me trying to stay warm in a tent or the bed of my truck. I can do without a lot of civilized amenities when fishing or hunting comes into the equation. Unfortunately, one necessity I take very seriously is my coffee. Most mornings I am sucking down French pressed coffee savoring each sip of smoky flavored goodness and to truly enjoy a morning in the big country of Arizona, I need to continue that addiction in the field. The Jetboil Flash Java Kit Cooking System fit the bill in more ways than one and assures that I would never be without a quality cup of joe. Often times in the state of Arizona, certain national forests or counties will impose different fire restrictions. Having the Jetboil remedies the problem of heating water without a campfire.

First impressions:

All inclusive – One aspect that drew me to this product was the fact that everything I needed for cooking and coffee could be stored right inside the Jetboil. NOTE: This product does not come with a fuel canister.

Simplicity – If I can figure out how to use the Jetboil at o’dark thirty in the morning than you can rest assured it is a simple system to use. The cozy that surrounds the boiling container has a heat activated window that turns orange when the water is boiling. It is a pretty nifty system that makes the morning brew that much easier.

Bulky – One thing I was a little worried about was the bulk of the Jetboil system. I myself had read many reviews and most of the comments from hardcore lightweight backpackers were extremely negative about the size and weight of this system. I weighed the pros and cons for the use it would see and I was comfortable with the extra bulk.

Field Use:

Hunting and Fishing –For every daytrip I take to the Rim or even to Oak Creek, my Jetboil is tucked into my truck. For a midday warm-up meal of Easy Mac or a cup of coffee to keep me awake on my drive home, the Jetboil is a life saver. On an overnight trip it is extremely nice to have for a morning cup of coffee or heating up dinner. I have probably heated water or made coffee over 40 or 50 times in my Jetboil and not had a single problem. If I am heading up with a buddy to hunt or fish, somewhere in the conversation the night before, they will make sure I am bringing the Jetboil…just in case.

Backpacking – To be honest, my backpacking trips have been kept to a minimum, but I have hopes of getting deeper into the woods in the coming months. I have taken the Jetboil on several overnighters and was satisfied with the performance and the “packability” of the unit. I did not notice that the Jetboil “weighed me down,” but I know others in the backpacking community would recommend something lighter.

Pros:

Simplicity

Easy to clean

It makes a great cup of coffee (need I say more)

Reliable

All inclusive

Cons:

Bulk

Heavier than other “lightweight” cooking systems

Prognosis:

I think the Jetboil Flash Java Kit is a fantastic product and should really be considered if you are looking for a complete and compact cooking system.

***On a side note: If coffee in the field interests you, check out Mike’s review of the Bialleti espresso maker over at Of Dry Flies and Fat Tires. Check it out

* Disclaimer: