Game & Fish to stock lakes and streams for winter trout fishing

Just because you may be heading south soon for the winter to the Southwest, don't leave your trout fishing gear behind in a closet. Arizona Game & Fish has already stocked and will soon be stocking many more locations, from mid-elevation habitats to metropolitan areas.

The Prescott area and streams flowing into the Verde Valley have already been stocked with trout and as the chilly November nights arrive southern Arizona lakes will see stocked trout also.

The canyons, too, like Willow Beach in Black Canyon below Hoover Dam and Topock Gorge at the north end of Lake Havasu will again be good spots to catch fat rainbows. Even Casino Row in the Laughlin-Bullhead area will see stockings.

Wherever you spend the Arizona snowbird season you will likely be near a great fishing hole. Go to the Game & Fish website for a complete list of the winter trout stocking schedule.

Fall season opens at Patagonia Lake and Sonoita Creek

Patagonia Lake SP

Fall camping season kicks off on Saturday, October 15th at Patagonia Lake State Park and Sonoita Creek State Natural Area when the visitor center will again be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

Displays of local plants, animals, and the great variety of birds that the area is known for are featured at The Sonoita Creek Visitor Center. This natural area is a transitional zone between the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, and within a small area you can see seven distinct vegetative communities from riparian forest to desert grassland.

Sonoita Creek State Natural Area

Nature walks will also begin on October 22nd at 9 AM on Saturdays. Fall is an especially good time for birdwatchers as the fall migration is in full swing. Bird walks are conducted each Monday at 9 AM at the Birding trailhead at the east end of the campground.

A list of activities can be found on the park website and more activities will be added throughout the season.

You can make reservations at (520) 586-2283. Patagonia Lake resurfaced the camping pads this past summer and installed electricity and water to most sites. Non-electric sites are $17 and electric sites $25. 

Visit Boyce Thompson Arboretum for the desert's Fall Foliage Festival

The turning of the leaves draws leaf peepers from all over the country to the New England States each October.

But did you know that you can also see the turning of the leaves at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, an Arizona State park 55 miles east of Phoenix?

The leaves turn later in the desert than they do in New England, usually in November, and the peak time for the colorful Chinese pistachios, sycamores, and others comes around Thanksgiving.

The arboretum hosts a two-day Fall festival Thanksgiving weekend featuring live music, arts and crafts booths under the trees, and that typical New England treat, hot spiced cider to warm your innards as you wander the Arboretum's grounds and enjoy the scenery.

The festival takes place from 11 AM to 3 PM November 26-27 at the Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Highway 60, Superior. $9 adults, $4.50 kids ages 5 to 12, free for kids 4 and younger. Call (520) 689-2811 for more info. or go online to the Arboretum's website.

McMahon's RV opens permanent location in Mesa

If you are among the snowbirds that consider replacing or upgrading your rig during the winter at temporary sales locations that spring up every winter in Yuma, Quartzsite, or other desert areas, you might want to include the new McMahon's RV that has opened a permanent sales location in Mesa, a popular snowbird location.

The new location (2260 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 852113, 480-835-2095), besides having a range of motorhomes from traditional gas engine models to luxury diesel pushers and a full service center, also has a cafeteria with professional landscaping to keep you relaxed, comfortable, and well fed during the buying process.

McMahon’s RV carries an extensive inventory of Class A, B, and C motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth-wheels. Their grand opening, which begtan September 23rd, will continue to the end of Novermber.