From record triple-digit heat, to a cold front with snow expected in the mountains, then hopefully back to mild spring conditions – all in one week. Spring in Arizona is amazing!

We are just past the full moon, which means this is a great time to night fish, but don’t expect your submersible lights to outshine a waning Luna yet. You might check out the moon rise and set times though.

However, it’s great to work dark poppers and other “black” lures along shorelines for bass when there is a bright moon. In fact, it’s a pretty good way to avoid all the recreational boaters at the more popular lakes.

If you are heading for the high country, take along your rain gear and warm jackets just in case the storm is still lingering like they predict. However, a storm moving through can sometimes get the fish actively feeding. The fresh scent of rain in the pines (maybe even some snow in higher elevations) will help you recover your senses after the blistering desert heat.

My tips are to go somewhere, anywhere, and wet a line this weekend. With a storm front moving through, the bite could get really good. Once the front moves through, and we have those nice bluebird days, the fish will likely get lockjaw; strange but true.

We sent out some where-to fishing tips in a news release this week already, but here are some more for you die-hard fishing fans: Kaibab Lake for fishing, with a side trip to the Grand Canyon Railway station for the morning cowboy shoot em’ up. Or take the train to the Grand Canyon and hide your wallet on the way home – there are train robbers out there.

Speaking of trains, try the upper Verde River for catfish and smallmouth bass, then load onto the Verde Canyon Railway for the most scenic train ride in Arizona. You might even see nesting bald eagles or river otters.

Or fish Patagonia Lake in southern Arizona then try a wine-tasting tour through some of the domestic wineries. You can discover some quaint but elegant bed and breakfast inns that will make you feel like an enterprising young yuppie again.

Maybe try a visit to Parker Canyon Lake then go searching for elegant trogons and other neotropical migratory birds that are returning from way south of the border down Central America way. Or scoot over to Tombstone and catch the latest fight at the OK Corral.

Another fun fishing gambit is Luna Lake for trout, but take along your binoculars to watch the nesting bald eagles. You might even hear wolves howling at night or see velvety elk.

By the way, this is a good time to introduce someone to our wonderful outdoors. Visit http://www.huntandshoot.org/stepoutside/ for some ideas.

Just in case you wondered why we make such a big deal about not moving quagga mussels unintentionally (drain, clean and dry your boat before leaving every lake, every time), check out this picture of a fishing pole pulled up by a tournament angler at Lake Havasu. Startling, isn’t it. Don’t move a mussel – please.

Hey, go catch some memories. Maybe I’ll see you out there.