I can’t hardly believe I am writing the following tip in early December, but it looks like you might be able to sneak in just one more high mountain trout fishing trip before a storm comes our way and dumps a load of the white stuff. Don’t forget that we have extended our tree squirrel season to the end of the year, so take along that trusty .22.

The brown trout spawn has likely ended, but with this mild weather, who knows? Right now my top picks are Woods Canyon, Willow Springs and Big Lake. A long shot might be Long Lake, where anglers a couple of weeks ago were catching some nice 3-pound trout and some small, toothy northern pike. I also got a nice report from an angler fishing Kinnickinick Lake on Anderson Mesa east of Flagstaff. It might be worth a try as well.

If you are taking the Polar Express at the Grand Canyon Railway (like my family), try some of the lakes in the Williams area. Kaibab Lake is just minutes away from downtown Williams. You can often hear the fast freights rumbling down the tracks paralleling Historic Route 66.

Keep in mind that Silver Creek near Show Low can be fishable for our native Apache trout all winter long – it’s catch-and-release with barbless hooks and artificial lures only for these golden-colored beauties.

If you are stuck in town, the urban program lakes are full of feisty trout, anglers are doing well at Tempe Town Lake, the Lower Salt River has been stocked, and both Canyon and Saguaro lakes have received loads of rainbows.

In the warmwater lakes, it’s time to think deep most of the time, but don’t ignore the shallows, especially on warmer afternoons. One of our state record bass was once caught on a December day in three feet of water – it can happen!

I am already hearing some nice reports on crappie fishing from both Bartlett and Alamo. Nothing great mind you, but it seems the crappie might already be congregating a little in open water. Who knows, we might just have a decent winter crappie bite. Keep your fingers (or fishing poles) crossed for Roosevelt to turn on for these speckled beauties this season.

Something else to try this time of year (especially with lower gas prices) is a trip to Laughlin for rainbow trout along Casino Row. You can catch the morning bite, a noon buffet, an afternoon nap and an evening show.

Here’s another tip for you, a holiday one; give a gift that keeps giving joy all year long – a subscription to our award-winning magazine, “Arizona Wildlife Views.” If you do, you’ll get a gift for yourself in return – our 2009 wildlife calendar. Visit our Web site for the particulars and to order online.

Go catch some holiday memories. Maybe I’ll see you out there.