Outdoor Writer

Lon Ellington is a practical kind of guy. In fact, that's how he got into the fishing-fly-tying business. "I got tired of losing all of these expensive flies," Ellington says. "So, my younger brother and I started tying our own." Ellington parlayed his hobby into a paid gig, hand-tying commercial flies for Phoenix area shops and, eventually, creating custom flies for clients around the globe. In the fly-fishing universe, Ellington is a big deal — a legend, really. The late outdoors writer Bob Hirsch called him "the grandfather of fly-fishing," and illustrator Larry Toschik drew his flies — they carry monikers such as "Grinch," "Arizona Peacock Lady" (Ellington's most popular fly, invented in 1974) and "Lees Ferry Scud" — for the book Outdoors in Arizona. But if you walk into Phoenix Fishing Supply, where Ellington makes his popular flies, you'd likely never know he's someone. "You don't have to look like you stepped out of an Orvis catalog, you know, with all that gear," he says. "I've been fishing for 70 years, and I've never dressed that way. You can't go walking through the middle of the stream like you're killing snakes. You have to stay in the shadows and keep a low profile when you're sneaking up on trout." — Kathy Ritchie

No map, but I posted this press release on all the closures a week ago. The excerpt below it is from the press release. AGFD -- Restrictions For Bald Eagles Now In Place Tonto Creek Tonto Creek from Gisela to 76 Ranch is closed to vehicle, foot entry, and floating through from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the Tonto National Forest Tonto Basin Ranger District at (928) 467-3200. Tonto Creek inlet to Roosevelt Lake is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1,000 feet of the nest on land and to watercraft within 300 feet on water from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the Tonto National Forest Tonto Basin Ranger District at (602) 225-5395.

One thing I forgot to mention earlier.... When I first reported the 'Healthcheck SUCCESS for GFAW-PTL-WEB5d' issue, the IT gal asked what browser I was using, which is MS Edge. But it got me to thinking, so I tried using MS IE instead, and it went right into my acount without a probem. I then reported that to the IT gal so she had a better idea of where to start checking. That might account for why some guys had issues while others didn't. I don't have any other browsers on my PC such as Firefox, Safari, etc, so didn't test any. Also can't speak to anything MAC related.

Great. I went in a bit ago and updated all my info, including adding an ID # using my AZDL. It was more of a test than anything since I likely won't be using any of it. 🤣

Sooo...even though my password change went smooth, late yesterday I attempted to go into my portal. Instead, I got the blank white page with 'Healthcheck SUCCESS for GFAW-PTL-WEB5d' in the upper left on any click to access MY ACCOUNT. I then proceeded to attempt a repair by getting rid of all saved data in regards to AZGFD. That didn't work. So I emailed the IT manager at the dept. and outlined all of the various problems guys were having and even gave her a link to this thread. She was quick to get back to me and was quite helpful. This morning she finally did a fix on the 'Healthcheck SUCCESS for GFAW-PTL-WEB5d' problem, and as of now, it's gone, at least for me. Is anyone else still seeing that? Also, they are working on the character issue, as well.

I thought the same thing when I watched it. If the intended end result is getting rid of the hogs, just trap and shoot them in the head with a .22. As for the bobber deal, it works. I knew a guy in the 1970s that used that trick very successfully on Lake Pleasant's white bass.

For sure, and I'm the oldest artifact on display. 🤣 I actually have an older (circa 1960-70s) Challenger double-rifle case that's made of a plastic type material. It's still perfectly serviceable but has a bit of ding on one corner. And.. I have a single travel rifle case that's never been used. I think it was made by Kolpin.

Trying to gauge the interest here before I climb in the attic where this is stored.... I have a Kalispel double-rifle aluminum case that's built like a tank. I never tried it, but I bet you could drive across it. It's made of heavy-duty .80 ga. aluminum with all welded corners and a locking rod that goes thru all four hinges. By itself, it weighs about 20 lbs. The Kalispel Indian Tribe in Oregon was a pioneer with these types of cases. and still makes them. I've used this case several times on various hunts so there are surface scratches due to baggage handlers, etc., but there is no damage. The foam has never been cut to fit any specific rifles. I will consider reasonable offers but no trades. Payment via PayPal (buyer doesn't need an acct; just a CC or checking acct.) or cash only. Pick up near 67th Ave. and Camelback only, NO SHIPPING. SOLD It's the 2nd one down at $380 new.

Fishing Report Buy a license December 2020 Arizona Game and Fish Department Community Fishing Program waters to receive some rainbow and albino trout from Canyon Creek Hatchery AZGFD’s Canyon Creek Hatchery will provide some trout for the department's Community Fishing Program waters this winter. The current drought conditions have caused reduced spring water flows at the hatchery, making it difficult to maintain the quality water flow needed to support the large number of fish in its raceways. Utilizing some of the fish for winter stockings in community waters will reduce numbers of trout at the hatchery and help ensure the fish there have adequate water to grow and thrive. The first of these stockings occurred on Nov. 25 when the department stocked trout from the hatchery into all three lakes in Green Valley Park in Payson. Altogether, about 350 pounds of rainbow trout and 350 pounds of albino rainbow trout were stocked. The rainbows averaged about 11 to 12 inches in length, while many of the albinos were in the 14-inch range. “The albino rainbow trout are being stocked to provide anglers with a rare opportunity to catch an unusual fish,” said Geoffrey Rabinovich, statewide hatchery program manager for AZGFD. “Albino rainbows are easily spotted by predators, so they rarely occur in the wild in Arizona. However, they do grow well in a hatchery environment and are fun for anglers to catch.” Stockings of some fish from Canyon Creek Hatchery will begin in Phoenix and Tucson Community Fishing Program waters in December. Rabinovich said these stockings will not impact the hatchery’s normal spring and summer stockings into state waters, as the money that is normally spent for out-of-state contractors for the Community Fishing Program in winter will now be used to help the hatchery maintain its normal schedule of trout production this summer. Restrictions take effect in some areas as bald eagle breeding season returns Arizona’s bald eagles are back and they will soon be working on the next generation of eagles at breeding sites statewide. To assist with the state’s continued bald eagle population growth, the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages anglers and other outdoor recreationists to do their part by not disturbing the state’s 92 eagle breeding areas. To protect breeding attempts, some portions of public land and water areas will be temporarily closed to help these majestic animals and ensure even more young eagles take to the skies this spring. Some closures took effect Dec. 1, others (such as a portion of the Lower Agua Fria Arm of Lake Pleasant), will go into effect Dec. 15. “Arizona’s bald eagles will be hard at work preparing their nests for what we hope will be a productive breeding season,” said Kenneth “Tuk” Jacobson, AZGFD bald eagle management coordinator. “The birds nest, forage and roost at rivers and lakes that are also popular recreation spots. That’s why we must be vigilant to help protect the birds and ensure their populations statewide continue to flourish. That success wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of outdoor recreationists who respect the closures during the breeding season.” View the list of closures. Angler video: Winged "camp robber" steals angler's fish Fred M. posted this video to the Fish AZ Facebook Group. He had decided to keep a nice-sized rainbow trout he'd caught to make sashimi. He flipped his catch on shore and went to retie his hook. In a moment, a redtail hawk swooped down and took his fish. (And no, Fred wasn't cited for intentionally feeding wildlife). View the video clip. Angler video: Release of brown trout Rye W. posted this video footage to the Fish AZ Facebook group showing his release of a nice brown trout he caught. View the video clip. Tips This week's warm weather will give way to cooler temperatures later in the week, with a chance of precipitation on Thursday and Friday in some parts of the state, particularly in the high country. Water temperatures are falling as overnight lows in desert regions are forecast to be in the 40s. If you’re bass fishing in desert impoundments, a good strategy might be throwing crankbaits during mornings, and closer to midday switching to smaller plastic baits (Roboworms or baby brush hogs) on Texas rigs or dropshots in 15-25 feet of water. At Roper Lake (near Safford), reports are that that trout fishing was very good last week, with many anglers catching their six-fish limits. Garlic-flavored dough baits fished on the bottom and small inline spinners were both working well. Bass fishing was slow. but this is the time of year outsized fish are typically caught on trout imitation baits. Some of the big Roper Lake largemouths are actively feeding on stocked rainbow trout. Try working an imitation lure parallel to the tules to draw a big fish from its ambush spot. Bluegills and sunfish are still being caught on nightcrawlers fished under a bobber. Catfishing has been slow. (Report courtesy of Ranger Micheal DeLeon of Arizona State Parks). At Lake Havasu, reports are that stripers have been chasing shad around the north Windsor basin in the early morning and late afternoon hours. Look for seagulls diving on the schools of shad coming to the surface. Other good locations this week are the Chalk Cliffs, Mesquite Bay 2, and the mouth of the river. Largemouth bass are hitting white- or chartreuse-colored spinnerbaits and shad-colored Rat-L-Traps on breezy days. Smallmouth anglers have been successful using deep-diving, shad-colored crankbaits around rocks in 8-15 feet of water or gravel/rock shorelines where the smallmouth are chasing baitfish. (Report courtesy of John Galbraith of Bass Tackle Master via Arizona State Parks). For Lake Powell, you can see Wayne Gustaveson's report on the results of gill netting surveys done the first two weeks of November. Remember to see our fishing forecast for different regions of the state. The new winter forecast is anticipated to be available soon. Angler reports For each edition of the Fishing Report, we'll select some photos and reports submitted by members of the angling public either through the Fish AZ Facebook Group or through the bfishing@azgfd.gov email address. If you'd like your photo/report considered for publication here, please indicate the species, place, date, name (we only publish first name and last initial), and any other information you'd like to provide. For more photos (including new photos each day), visit the Fish AZ Facebook Group. Morgan R. got her first big catfish, caught out of one of AZGFD's Community Fishing Program waters. Now, that's life! Roosevelt Lake, sunny skies, pleasant temps and some bass. You're making us a bit jealous, Bruce S. Joy and happiness -- that’s what we see in this picture, posted by Nathaniel D. Although Nathaniel’s nephew’s line broke and his fish got away, this young man’s expression is what fishing is all about. Tony S. had a great day fishing with his grandson last week. Regardless the size of the catch, the memories are priceless! Taz L. got this nice trout at Kennedy Lake in Tucson. Used cheese-colored worm,1/32 jig head with bobber. Catfish from the San Francisco River in Clifton, Ariz. Great job, Debbie! Another great day at Fain Lake for Eddie S. and his wife. Eddie says this was his only catch; his wife out-fished him today. Jim G. got this big pike at Ashhurst Lake southeast of Flagstaff. Waters recently stocked with rainbow trout: Week of 11/30 to 12/4/2020 Southeastern waters: Roper Lake, Dankworth Pond, Patagonia Lake. North Central waters – Watson Lake, Fain Lake, Dead Horse Lake, Lynx Lake. Community Fishing Program waters: Phoenix area - Alvord Lake, Bonsall Pond, Chaparral Lake, Copper Sky Lake, Cortez Lake, Desert Breeze Lake, Desert West Lake, Encanto Lake, Evelyn Hallman Pond, Festival Fields Pond, Friendship Pond, Kiwanis Lake, Mansel Carter Oasis Lake, Pacana Pond, Paloma Lake, Papago Ponds (1, 2 and 3), Pioneer Lake, Red Mountain Lake, Rio Vista Pond, Riverview Lake, Roadrunner Pond, Steel Indian School Park, Surprise Lake, Veteran’s Oasis Lake. Tucson area - Silverbell Park, Kennedy Lake, Sauharita Lake, Lakeside Lake. Prescott area – Yavapai Lakes. Casa Grande area - Dave White Regional Park Pond. Payson area - Green Valley Lakes. Yuma area - Council Avenue Pond, Fortuna Pond, Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex (PAAC) Pond, Redondo Lake, Yuma West Wetlands Pond. Week of 11/23 to 11/27/2020 Southeastern waters: Parker Canyon Lake. North Central waters: Goldwater Lake, Verde River (middle). New AZGFD video: Stocking Gila trout at West Fork of Oak Creek Last month we showed a short video of Gila trout, one of the state's native trout species, being stocked into the East Verde River. This month we are posting a new video showing the Arizona Game and Fish Department stocking Gila trout at the West Fork of Oak Creek. Lakes where Gila trout have been stocked in the Prescott area include Lynx Lake, Watson Lake and Goldwater Lake. View the video. Thank you, anglers! Arizona fishing opportunities wouldn’t be possible without the Sport Fish Restoration Program. It was created through the Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act) and the Wallop-Breaux amendments of 1984. Through a federal excise tax paid by manufacturers on fishing gear and motorboat fuels, it provides grant funds for fishery conservation, boating access, and aquatic education.

One happy youngster there! Way to go dad. 👍

Hope you're right. 👍

I have no idea if that will happen for sure, but it could get somewhat confusing when someone tries to log in to check bonus points, etc.

Then they wouldn't have received an email, would they? 🙄

When it comes time to apply for permits, I'll bet the ranch that there will be a lot of unhappy campers who ignored and/or deleted the email.

So how did you solve the access problem? Maybe it will help others who are also having issues.

I just checked mine and it also had the # in it -- 7#D8wXdf. That's crazy. 🤪 So are you good to go now?

SOLD

SOLD

There are 27 books in all, most of which have never even been read. They have faux leather covers with an image to illustrate the topic of each one. Time-Life offered them at $12.95 each plus S&H in the 1970s. Today, they would likely be at least $25 per. SOLD No trades, and will consider REASONABLE offer. Will ship at buyer's expense, which would be costly even at the media rate. Payment via PayPal (buyer doesn't need an acct; just a CC or checking acct.) or cash only. Located near 67th Ave. and Camelback. This is "The Gunfighters." Here's the list of what they include: Title Author Year published The Cowboys William H. Forbis 1973 The Indians Benjamin Capps 1973 The Soldiers David Nevin 1973 The Trailblazers Bil Gilbert 1973 The Railroaders Keith Wheeler 1973 The Forty-Niners William Weber Johnson 1974 The Pioneers Huston Horn 1974 The Gunfighters Paul Trachtman 1974 The Expressmen David Nevin 1974 The Townsmen Keith Wheeler 1975  The Great Chiefs Benjamin Capps 1975 The Rivermen Paul O'Neill 1975 The Texans David Nevin 1975  The Loggers Richard Williams 1976 The Chroniclers Keith Wheeler 1976  The Spanish West William H. Johnson 1976 The Miners Robert Wallace 1976 The Canadians Ogden Tanner 1977 The Frontiersmen Paul O'Neill 1977 The Alaskans Keith Wheeler 1977 The Ranchers Ogden Tanner 1977 The Mexican War David Nevin 1978 The Women Joan Swallow Reiter 1978 The Scouts Keith Wheeler 1978 The Gamblers Robert Wallace 1978 The End and The Myth Paul O'Neill 1979 Master Index 1980 This is the original commercial:

That's in nice shape considering it's at least 40+ yrs. old. Probably be a collector's item some day. 👍 "Foremost" was the J.C. Penny's private label, and that model was sold from the late 50s into the '70s. I sold dozens of them with and without the vent. rib when I managed the Penny's sporting goods dept at Tower Plaza in Phx.

Okay, steps to follow. If it doesn't work, you're on your own. DO NOT open the AGFD website, and if you have the OLD user/password stored in your browser for automatic log-in, delete it! 1. Open the email from customer@azgfd.gov that was sent to YOUR email. 2. In the body of the email, click the link 'log into your account' which should open the web page and have your new name already showing. If not, TYPE it in. 3. Next TYPE in the temp password from the email in the box under the new user name. 4. That should get you to the Change Password page. 5. TYPE in a new password, that is at least 8 characters long and includes at least one of each of these: an upper case letter (T); a lower case letter (t); a number (12); a special character ( * ) etc. DO NOT USE the # character as we've already determined it doesn't work. If the password you try isn't good, it will show such. When you get it right go to Step 6. 6. RETYPE the same password again in the Confirm Password box. 7. Boom or Bust. 8. If Bust, take two aspirins and call G&f in the a.m. 🙄

Was she using her SSN before. If so, that's likely why it was changed.

So you're saying you can't even get in using the name and temp password in the email after you use the link in the email to open the website page?? Or is the hangup when you attemp to change the password from the temp to a new one?

Did you get an email from G&F? If so, DO NOT go into your portal or even the AGFD website; just click the link that says ..."log into your account.."and proceed. There is NO NEED to do a 'reset password' thing if you follow the instructions in the email. And you would need an email for each family member, and then do each one the same way as above.

Are you clicking the link that is in the email to get there?