February, 2008

Bell Canyon is a welcomed outdoor haven from the sprawling and often smoggy Salt Lake Valley. The canyon is only 20 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, but it's a world away once you get on the trail. There are trailheads on Wasatch Boulevard and off 9400 South. You can see the canyon on this map (just zoom in on Utah).

There are a variety of activities to do in Bell Canyon, during all seasons of the year. Bell Canyon is a watershed area so no Dogs are allowed, and yes they do patrol this.

I have received a couple of emails in regards to a resent post about Steelhead fishing on the Clearwater River in Idaho. They seemed to be intimidated by the size of river and were asking for more information on just where they should fish.

For those who are new to the sport I can see why they may be confused as it is quite a large river and if you are not use to reading Steelhead water it will be intimidating. So for those wanting to know where to fish let me give you some ideas.

Ok so I have been talking a lot about fly fishing lately so I thought I would change subjects and talk about some of the techniques that I use when I am bank fishing.

I know a lot of hard core Fly Fisherman will have a fit to hear that I do still use a spinning real for catching fish but I just love fishing of any kind.

A very clever ad by Moose Jaw. I'm sure it will circulate around the web. Bikinis with a climbing harness? Mountaineering to the beach? Snowboards at a Funeral? Ski helmets at a fancy dinner with everyone wearing ski Goggles? Madness indeed!

Maybe this Goggles trend will catch on.

Generally, one does not equate whitewater rafting trips with excellent food. The fun of riding the rapids takes precedence over culinary taste treats. Typically, a rafting lunch consists of balancing a sandwich, bag of chips, and store-bought cookies on your lap as you teeter precariously on an uneven rock. And, more often than not, some of that lunch ends up as ant food on the sandy shoreline.

If there is such a thing as magic, it is surely found on southern Oregon’s spectacular Rogue River hiking trial. Hikers from all over the world come to experience this protected trail…and yet you will rarely see another hiking group on the trail…true magic. This moderately difficult trail hike is unique because over the course of the four-day experience, you can stay each night in riverside wilderness lodges. Rooms are double occupancy; with hot showers and real beds. Superb family-style dining is the hallmark of each of the lodges.

Rogue River, Oregon, February 18, 2008 -- Imagine a 5-day guided hiking trip through one of the most biologically diverse mountain ranges in the United States. This once a year, multi-day trail hike through the Rogue River-Siskiyou mountain range is scheduled for May 10 – 15, 2008. While on the 40-mile trail trek, hikers will literally “walk through” incredibly diverse ecosystems, significant historic sites, and view myriad wildlife.

Now’s the Time for Steelhead

Well with February almost gone and the days getting longer and warmer the steelhead have started to move up the Little Salmon River, here in Idaho. This has been a much awaited annual event for those of use here in Central Idaho for two reasons.

Over the years I have been asked how you know when you have a hit while drift fishing for Steelhead. The true answer is you really never know for sure! When bouncing along the bottom of the river every time you bump a rock it feels something like a strike. There is a difference but until you feel it is hard to explain.

The Clearwater River in North Central Idaho is home to some of the largest Steelhead in the continental United States. It is well renowned for its Steelhead Runs along with a very Good Salmon and Cutthroat trout fishery. The Clearwater River is one of those spots that most fly fisherman only dreams of experiencing. And yet it is one of America most easily accessible rivers with Idaho State Highway 12 following it across the state.

As you can see from the picture, the Stablicers have 17 metal screws for traction and have strong Velcro straps that wrap tightly around the toe and the heal/ankle area of your boot. This provides a snug fit with very little wiggle room. Most often the traction devices made out of rubber webbing will hold on the icy surface, but your boot will slip out of the webbing.

Many of you are planning our spring and summer backpacking trips, so I thought I'd share this with you. The Pac Safe 85 can be used to keep you bag or backpack safe. It's a simple web that encompasses your pack(or suitcase, purse, etc.), so no one can open the zippers (very easily) and get into your pack. This is a great security measure to put over your bag while you're traveling. Not on the plane, but once you arrive.

I don't think that my love of forests can only be attributed to growing up with redwoods in my backyard, or spending hours of my childhood out in the forested foothills around my house. In fact, I was usually the kid who complained the most when it came time for out bluebird troop ( a sad mixed gender version of boy scouts) to take a hike through the woods. And, to be honest, the reason I spent so many hours out in the woods as a kid was because we were pretty isolated and often so bored that anything would have been entertaining.

Backcountry.com is in the midst of their Winter Semi-annual Sale. The sale goes on through February 29th. It's a great time to get deals on ski clothes, skis, ski boots, snowboards, snowshoes, and all sorts of winter gear. I'm always asked where to find a good deal on outdoor gear, and now is the time. Most outdoor retailers are now clearing out their winter inventory and getting ready for spring and summer, so take advantage of the sales.. and you have a few months left to use the gear.

Becoming a Member at National Outdoors is free and it's easy.

Most importantly, becoming a member allows you to submit your own articles, comments, images, and videos for all the other visitors at National Outdoors to read. Each time you submit content, it provides you with another opportunity to promote yourself as a local expert.

Floating the Niangua River in Missouri is a great time for family and friends. The river is farely easy for children. If your looking for a slow relaxing river trip with some small rapid areas the Niangua river is a great place to float.

After years of our water bottles rolling around the bottom of our canoes, we created the Can-panion. It's a clip-on beverage holder for Canoes, Kayaks, Jon boats, Pontoon boats and more.

For more information visit our website:
http://www.can-coctions.com/index2.html

Backpacking allows me to get away and immerse myself in the wild. I'm always asked why? Why would you put a sixty pound pack on your back, hike twenty miles a day, then sleep on the ground? If you've never done it, then you will not understand. Once you get out, and give it a try, it will make sense.

By Scott Peters

Before you run off to hunt, it is important to understand where you can hunt and avoid any type of trouble. The federal government has identified several hunting arenas on their land. It is important to understand in which areas you can legally hunt and in which areas you are not allowed. In this article, we will discuss the hunting areas of Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico, the Southern section of the United States.

New Mexico

By Scott Peters

Hunting is a favorite hobby of many enthusiasts. If you are like many other hunters, you are looking for new, unique, and exciting places to hunt. In this article, we will discuss different federal land areas that allow hunting. However, it is important to remember that each state has their own sets of rules and regulations when it comes to hunting on their land. This land is typically designated as a wildlife refuge therefore; there are many laws that protect certain species of animals.

Here in this article, we will cover the areas of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.

By Scott Peters

Before you run off to hunt, it is important to understand where you can hunt and avoid any type of trouble. The federal government has identified several hunting arenas on their land. It is important to understand in which areas you can legally hunt and in which areas you are not allowed. In this article, we will discuss the hunting areas of Washington, Oregon, and California, the Northwestern corner of the United States.

Washington

By Scott Peters

Hunting is a favorite hobby of many enthusiasts. If you are like many other hunters, you are looking for new, unique, and exciting places to hunt. In this article, we will discuss different federal land areas that allow hunting. However, it is important to remember that each state has their own sets of rules and regulations when it comes to hunting on their land. This land is typically designated as a wildlife refuge therefore; there are many laws that protect certain species of animals.

Here in this article, we will cover the areas of Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.

Idaho

By Scott Peters

Hunting is a favorite hobby of many enthusiasts. If you are like many other hunters, you are looking for new, unique, and exciting places to hunt. In this article, we will discuss different federal land areas that allow hunting. However, it is important to remember that each state has their own sets of rules and regulations when it comes to hunting on their land. This land is typically designated as a wildlife refuge therefore; there are many laws that protect certain species of animals.

Massey's Outfitters of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has started their year end clearance of Ski and Snowboard gear and clothing.

Check out the sale
HERE

They are offering 30-50% off on a significant amount of products from Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, Spyder, Nils, and Patagonia, North Face,.

The Skyline to the Sea Trail starts in Castle Rock State Park and then makes its way through Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's oldest State Park (established in 1902), before ending at the beach in the adjacent Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve. The entire trail is 30 miles long.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park covers over 18,000 acres of old growth and recovering redwood forest from sea level to over 2,000 feet, and is home to the largest continuous stand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco.