Our club's founding father, Tom Miller, has passed away

Tom Miller, 90, the club's first president and the fellow who conceived of the club in the first place back in 2001, died Friday, Dec. 12, after a fall in his home. He'd been in poor health for some time, though he remained active in the club til the very end. He was also the first member to serve a second term as club president, in 2023, when we needed him to outlast the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic. Before relocating to Loveland from Southern California, he was a senior manager for the California Park System. He was a tremendous fisherman, and even better friend. This is hard to write; I love that old man.  

He is survived by his wife Sheila, son John of Fort Collins and a daughter living in California. Some of you know Tom made arrangements years ago with the Neptune Society, which is handling cremation services and related issues for the family. 

Club Christmas Party is 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16th

 As incoming President Dave Johnson always says, "Never sniff a gift fish," but you should give some thought to what you wrap up for the club's gift exchange. If you don't want to participate, you can still have coffee and cookies. But otherwise you'll want to thoughtfully decide on a gift of about 10 bucks. Wrap it up but don't put your name on it.

The club will provide cookies, but if you want to add something else to the pile, I like most kinds of cookies and fudge. The club will also be voting on next year's board.

 

We've just learned of the Oct. 20 passing of past Loveland Fishing Club member William J. (Bill) Hamlin, 82. ​

Bill grew up with a deep appreciation for nature and a sense of adventure that carried through his whole life. After graduating from Colorado State University in 1967 with a degree in Biological Sciences, he proudly served his country as a medic in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. A role that reflected his lifelong compassion and sense of service. Throughout his career Bill brought dedication and heart to his work in the California Fish and Wildlife Department, Roseburg Lumber Company in California and Porter Industries in Colorado.

Bill’s life was filled with friendships, adventures and joy. In 2019, he was deeply honored to take part in the Honor Flight to visit the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. – a trip that held great meaning for him.  He was a member of the Loveland Fishing Club and VFW Post 15. 

Allnut Funeral Services is handling arrangements. A Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW at a later date. Bill's complete obituary can be found on the following link: William Hamlin Obituary - Loveland, CO

Club participates in Veteran's Parade

 The Loveland Fishing Club was represented in the Loveland Veteran's Day Parade this year with President-elect and Marine Dave Johnson and Army veteran Larry Kawa aboard a boat float driven by Al Noraker.​

Click below to check out our float in this Google Photos Album... 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/D32kcH3GW5KFeGxW7

Last chance to score a cool Loveland Fishing Club logo shirt!

 

Pat Mikulak reports having six remaining short sleeve shirts and one crew neck shirt available for purchase. He'll bring them to the club's November meeting, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Chilson Senior Center. Bring some cash or a check; no Bitcoins. Here's what you could look like for your admrers:

Redemption at a lake up high

 Shortly after leading the club to an historic shutout performance at the 2025 Club Derby, you can see the relief in President Darryl Knight's face Wednesday as he shows off this handsome cutbow. He caught and released the beast from a private lake in Red Feather, so it won't be admissible for the club Angler of the Year competition. But still ... 

Reminder: Annual Club Picnic is Tuesday

 Club President Darrell Knight advises us to be at the Railroad Park Pavilion by about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, with the picnic to begin at 2.

The club will be providing pulled pork barbecue, fried chicken, drinks and tableware; attendees are asked to provide a side dish or dessert of their choice. Just think of something I would like; no coconut please.

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LFC shirts will be ready Tuesday!

If you placed an order for a shirt, you can pick it up at the picnic. Pat Mikulak says to have cash or a check ready. No credit cards; no bitcoin, no credit cards, no Venmo or that kind of stuff. The shirts are embroidered with the club logo. Pat says you can arrange to have Colorado Cotton Mine, http://coloradocottonmine.com add your first name for $5. 

So, who won the Loveland Fishing Club's Derby Thursday?

 Two dozen of the Loveland Fishing Club's most determined anglers took to the shores of Flatiron Reservoir Thursday, leaving the 2025 Derby Champion, um, kinda undetermined.

In what is believed to be a first in the annals of the annual contest, not a single angler caught a single fish. We were, quite frankly, skunked.

"They say they haven't stocked Flatiron since before Father's Day," explained Club President Darrell Knight, who fished as hard and unsuccessfully as everyone else Thursday. So the club did what the club does best: enjoyed a top-notch picnic, with bratwursts cooked by Arnie Stroschein and Rick Golz, last year's Derby first- and second-place winners.

Al Roraker had presented the club with some terrific prizes for this year's First, Second and Third Place Finishers. They were distributed among the fishless contestants by way of raffle, and the cash prizes of $50 and $25 were saved for another year. So was a spot for the winner's name on the rotating Derby Champion Trophy.

Ah, despite the lack of angling prowess, we had a great time, we really did. Didn't have to listen to anyone rub it in, while Wayne Baranczyk and Danny Barker swear they almost caught a fish. And in the raffle, Danny secured a very nice KastKing bait caster reel to go with the rod won by wife Katherine. Also, by unanimous informal vote of attending members, we decided Arnie and Rick would have to cook at next year's Derby. 

Stakes just got higher for Thursday's Club Championship!

 

You really don't want to miss Thursday morning's Loveland Fishing Club annual club derby. In addition to traditional prizes for first and second place, new member Al Roraker has donated terrific additional prizes for First, Second and Third!

Fishing runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Flatiron Reservoir. Note the club has arranged for members to fish the lake without the usual daily entry fee. So here's the deal: 

The winner's name will be permanently added to the club's traveling trophy, which she or he can keep until next year's derby. She or he also earns bragging rights and $50; the runner up gets 25 bucks and the chance to help the winner cook the derby banquet after the 2026 Derby. 

In addition, Al has donated the following terrific prizes:

• 1st Place - Two KastKing Fishing rods! One is a 6’6” MH casting rod and the other is a 7’ MH spinning rod. 
• 2nd Place - KastKing Royal Legend GT casting reel, 7.2:1 gear ratio, 5+1 bb, 17.6 lbs drag
• 3rd place - KastKing Sunglasses, hat and wool fingerless gloves.

So show up ready to fish. Here are the rules:

• One pole at a time
• No wading or boating (not allowed on Flatiron anyway) 
• One hook or lure or fly
• The winner will have the biggest stringer of trout, up to the legal limit of four. You can keep what you catch or catch and release. 
• All kept or released fish meant to enter the derby must be officially measured and witnessed by another club member - who needs to legibly write the length of each fish on a card along with their initials. This is why you should bring along a tape measure. Also, Note the time of your first catch: it may be needed in the unlikely event of a tie.

Halloween Party at the Stroscheins!

 

Karol and Arnie Stroschein, the Loveland Fishing Club's resident party animals, are inviting all club members to a Halloween Party on the day after the holiday, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 at their place, 11040 Flatiron Mountain Road, Loveland.

Karol says they're dressing up, but guests can wear a costume or not. Arnie is responsible for the chili, and Karol is asking everyone else to bring a dish to share. Drinks will be furnished.