She said, "Well, If you are a wealthy person with all kinds of money, you can do all kinds of things in the winter months, like hiring sport fishing guides at places like Lake Tahoe, the Sacramento River, San Francisco Bay, Bodega Bay, Monterey, San Diego or Hawaii.
With lots of money, you can hunt everything from pheasants to wild pigs on private hunting preserves.
And if you don't hunt or fish, you can go downhill skiing or snowboarding every weekend or spend quality time, playing golf in warm weather areas like Phoenix or Palm Springs."
She continued, "But, if you're just an average "Joe-Six-Pack" type of outdoor person, with a limited income and a five-day-a-week job, what is there to do that doesn't involve a lot of money or a lot of traveling?"
Her point was well taken and that question got me to thinking:
Just what can an average person do at this time of the year?
Well, in response and after some thought, here's a special, hand-picked, "Don Q" list of some of the things that an outdoor person can do at this time of the year that don't involve a whole lot of time, effort, travel and expense.
Tobogganing or sledding:
All you basically need is a toboggan, sled or an inner tube.
Two popular, nearby locations are:
1. Spooner Summit at the junction of U.S. 50 and Nev. S.R. 28. (can be very crowded on weekends).
2. At the top of Mt. Rose Summit (Nev. S.R. 436) (this can also be very crowded on weekends).
Or you can go to anywhere else where there is a good slope and it is safe to slide downhill.
Cross country skiing or snowshoeing:
All you need is your own or rental skis or snowshoes (which can be rented for the day or weeekend at a modest cost).
Add to that, the proper clothing, snacks, drinks, sunglasses, etc. and you are ready to go have fun.
Depending on whether you are a first-time beginner or an experienced backcountry expert, a number of the more popular, nearby locations are:
Spooner Lake State Park at Spooner Summit on Nev. S.R. 28.
Pickett's Junction (the junction of Calif. S.R. 88 and S.R. 89) on the north edge of Hope Valley,
The Blue Lakes Road area (you will need a Sno-Park permit and there will be lots of snowmobiles).
The Winnemucca Lake Trail at Kit Carson Pass on S.R. 88 (You'll also need a Sno-Park permit here).
Mt. Rose Meadows near the top of Mt. Rose Summit (this can be very, very crowded on weekends).
Fishing at Topaz Lake:
It is located on the Nev.-Calif. Stateline, along U.S. 395, about 40 miles south of Carson City.
You can fish from shore, in chest waders, in a float tube or from a boat.
From shore: your best bet is on the north end or along the highway side.
From a boat: Troll several hundred yards off shore, along the north end or along the highway side of the lake.
You'll catch mostly rainbow trout in the 10-13 inch class, with an occasional one, up to about 4-pounds.
The limit is five trout, 10 mountain whitefish and 15 warmwater game fish, of which not more than five may be black bass.
Realistically, you catch mostly trout.
The area within a 100-yard radius of the Topaz Marina is closed to fishing.
Fishing at Pyramid Lake:
Take U.S. 395 north from Carson City to I-80 in Reno. Then, take I-80 east to the Pyramid Way Exit in Sparks.
Then, take Pyramid Way and the Pyramid Lake Highway north for about 30 miles to the lake.
You can fish anywhere from shore, in chest waders, in a float tube or from a boat.
You'll catch Lahontan cutthroat trout.
You must fish with artificial flies or lures only, and there is a two-trout possession limit.
You can only keep two trout which are 16-19 inches in length or you can keep one trout 16-19 inches plus one trout over 24 inches.
You'll be on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, which requires a special Pyramid Lake fishing permit.
The cost is $7 for a one-day fishing permit per person or $7 for a one-day boating permit.
Fishing at Walker Lake:
This large desert lake is located just north of Hawthorne and also contains Lahontan cutthroat trout.
To get there, take U.S. 50 east to Silver Springs. At Silver Springs, take Alt. U.S. 95 south to Schurz, via Yerington. At Schurz, take U.S. 95 south to the lake.
This is about a 100-mile, 2-hour drive, one-way, from Carson City.
You can fish from shore, in chest waders, in a float tube or from a boat.
If you're a shore fisherman, fish either at Sand Point, anywhere along Sportsmen's Beach, just under "The Cliffs" or on the south end.
If you're a boater, troll the deeper water between Rocky Point and Sand Point, in front of Sportsman's beach or in front of "The Cliffs."
You'll catch Lahontan cutthroat trout.
The limit is five trout.
Note: If you shore fish on the far north end of the lake, you will be on the Schurz Indian Reservation and you will need a tribal fishing permit.
Counting numerous hawks and looking for mule deer:
Pick a nice day and then take a leisurely drive south from Carson City on a combination of U.S. 395, Nevada S.R. 88 and California S.R. 88 to near Woodfords. Then return along the "Foothill Road," all the way back home.
As you traverse Carson Valley, keep a sharp eye out for hawks perched on hawk perches, power poles, fence posts, in trees or on the ground (if they are on the ground, they have made a kill and are busy eating their meal).
Don't forget to count the small Kestrel Hawks and if you are lucky, you might even spot a bald eagle.
On your return trip, via the foothill road, watch for mule deer alongside the road. Your best chance for spotting them will be early mornings or late afternoons.
Some of the better areas for seeing deer are in the Nev./Calif. stateline area, in Genoa or just north of the Genoa Lakes golf course.
Attending the Reno, Boat, Sport and RV Show:
Beginning today and continuing thru Sunday afternoon, that big, annual show will be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Show hours are 2-9 p.m. for today, noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62+), $4 for children (6-12) and free for kids under the age of six.
Note: You can download discount general admission tickets via the Internet at www.bigshows.com.
That's a pretty reasonable cost for the opportunity to spend some pleasant time, wandering around and enjoying all of the various sights and exhibits. You will also have the chance to attend many different, free seminars, featuring hunting and fishing professionals.
Best of all, you don't have to spend any money, if you don't want to. Just look and enjoy.
There you have it:
My select Don Q list of things for the average outdoor person to do at this time of the year.
-- Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you my personal, all-time record for numbers of hawks spotted on that drive through Carson Valley.
If he grins and says, "Don Q spotted a total of 83 hawks on a winter afternoon, some years ago," he could have been a passenger in my little pickup.
