Loveland Fishing Club Blog

By Bill Prater I don’t know, people; academic discussion has raged for centuries over simpler philosophical questions such as, "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" As we sit at home, unable to join joyful crowds at the mall, one has to ponder: “ Do we really need a good deodorant in Today’s America, when virtually no one is around to smell?”      Let’s digress a moment. Jump back 60 years or so to the Warnock Avenue of Granite City, IL in the Fifties, when and where I grew up. Two-holder outhouses were still the norm for a few more years, a nod even then to a desperate need for social interaction. Also, trust me on this, there was an equally memorable, distinctive odor from a nearby, infamous “rendering house” a stinky place that I guess paid farmers to bring in dead horses and cows to be rendered. (I never knew exactly what that meant).      On the other side of town, there was also a notorious stretch...

From Doug Money: I have been retired for only about three years now. Other than relaxing, enjoying the family and having more time to fish I am still working on that great retirement story or experience to share. I have shared that I am from the Chicago area and was in commercial construction. Every contractor though has that one project they are most proud of in their career.  For me it was leading the project team from 1996 thru 1998 on construction of an underground parking garage, new lobby entrance and the Pioneer Zephyr train exhibit for the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.   History & Architecture buffs may know that the original building that houses this museum is the last surviving major structure from the 1893 Chicago World's Exposition. Train enthusiasts would find it interesting that in 1934 the Zephyr broke the speed record from Denver to Chicago in 13 hours.

Club President Jim Baxter has cancelled April's Board and General meetings, planned for the third Monday and Tuesday of the month. Hopefully we'll be back in business soon. Reminder:  our Friday breakfast gatherings are also on hold until further notice.

Part 1. Sharing and getting to know each other better.  Hi, last week Jim Baxter and I were talking about how many of our club members have such varied backgrounds and experiences and we don't know much about any of that unless we have taken a road trip or a multi day fishing trip with them. That's one reason I try and move around to different seats at Friday breakfast, to give me a chance to get to know members of our club and for them to know me for better or for worse. I'm glad I've done that, it's been an easy thing to do and has been very rewarding. Jim and I have talked a little bit about how we might get members to tell us a little or a lot about themselves in an open environment so that we might all be enriched by hearing about some of the journeys, some of the cool things we have seen or done. Many of you have been members for a long time and know quite a lot about each other already but many others of us don't and we would like to hear those stori...

There's a lot of uncertainty these days on what we can ethically do during the pandemic, including that most vital retiree past time, fishing. Fish Explorer Executive Editor Matt Snider outlines the Colorado situation in a blog post Thursday. The situation may change over time; New Mexico, among other states, has basically told anglers to postpone fishing until further notice. Here's a link to Matt's report: Can I go out fishing with a stay-at-home order? If you’re an eager angler, and I assume you are because you’re reading this, then you probably know the answer to this.  The answer is  yes .  So long as you adhere to social distancing recommendations, you can be outside recreating. [edit: keep in mind that cramming with a friend or friends into a car or small boat would not be considered good social distancing. Matt's full article can be found here: https://www.fishexplorer.com/co/blog.asp?action=det&bid=4763

The ever-thoughtful Walt Graal points out that your typical spinning rod is 6-foot in length, making it the ideal tool for enforcing social distance. Great idea! I would only add that, especially around small children, you should always use barbless hooks. Be safe out there, people.

Many club members have volunteered every spring for CYO’s annual fund-raiser skeet sheet. Hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to continue that tradition, but our friends have postponed the event until fall. Here’s the note posted on the  http://coloradoyo.org  Website: After reviewing the situation we all have before us associated to the COVID 19 challenges, the Board of Trustees along with staff have made the decision to postpone the 2020 Maverick to the new date of September 11th and 12th 2020. Please email kbright@coloradoyo.org if you have any questions.  

Linda and I are approaching a 7 th day of isolated marital bliss. I have to tell you, in all that time scarcely a harsh word has come between us. Though we are legendary lovebirds, in the pre-viral world, gentle Linda was known to voice an occasional opinion about ways Bill could improve himself . You know. Make a good spouse even better. You know. Nag. While I am known for a willingness to overlook spousal shortcomings, Linda has kinda needed work on that aspect of an otherwise flawless personality, if you catch my drift. These days, though? As I said, there has been scarcely an intemperate word in an entire week of alone time. “Why is this?” you may ask. Well, I have a theory, along with a way of evaluating that theory, one at least as valid as the way our nation’s leaders want to test scary experimental drugs. Here it is: I have a long-held but mostly unspoken theory that the bulk of all marital disagreements in this world stem from a single source: backseat dr...

While the presence of Scheels close by has impacted sales at our local Sportsman's Warehouse it's clear that the company has been doing well and expanding into other markets. More information can be found at  https://news.sportsmans.com/article/sportsmans-warehouse-expands-into-new-markets   One of North America’s major suppliers of fishing tackle, Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, has bought two Field & Stream locations from Dick’s Sporting Goods. It has paid $5m for inventory and assets and will sublease the two locations at Crescent Springs, KY and Kalamazoo, MI, which will be rebranded as Sportsman’s Warehouse. The acquisitions are part of its strategy of growing by expanding its store network in strong markets with well-established customer bases. In October last year it acquired eight Field & Stream stores in Pennsylvania (three), New York (two), North Carolina (two) and Michigan. Jon Barker, CEO of Sportsman’s Warehouse told US-based digital news source,...

Invasive Mussels Can Survive Wyoming Winters This is an article found online called FishingWire. It really calls to attention the fact that we need to take pay attention and clean our watercraft properly to ensure that we don't spread zebra, quagga mussels or invasive plant species. https://www.thefishingwire.com/releases/e843f99f-ed95-47d5-ac2e-033b3055adb0 Aquatic invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels are tiny but resilient. Once introduced, eradicating them from a water source is extremely difficult — if not impossible. Luckily, Wyoming is still mussel-free. But if the invasives ever are transported into the state, the harsh winters and freezing temperatures would hardly slow their ability to persist. Research shows mussels are impacted by temperature and will die if exposed to either of the extreme ends of the thermometer. However, freezing temperatures may only kill a trivial amount. Mussels attached above the waterline to structures like docks, rocks or boats m...

So far we’ve moved stuff from the unfinished part of the basement into the space where Bill was supposed to be watching March Madness basketball. So far we’ve stayed away from where I hide my fishing stuff...

WARNING to other home-bound anglers :  This may be my final update. Linda just looked up from her knitting and said: “This is a GREAT time to clean the basement...”

CPW has updates for Coronovirus on their website and you can also sign up to get customized alerts (CPW eNews) for fishing, hunting, etc on a general basis. CPW Coronovirus updates https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/COVID-19-Response.aspx?utm_source=CPW-Web&utm_medium=Slider1&utm_campaign=2020_COVID-19_Coronavirus_Info CPW eNews:   https://us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5144ed31c5f2ba642e0393361&id=cab66e53c6 Another point of confusion was resolved by the good people at Boyd State Park for ANS requirements for a kayak or inflatable pontoon. Regulations clearly spell out that any kayak with a sail or trolling motor needs to be registered and have an ANS inspection. The same holds true for an inflatable pontoon/belly boat. I was told by kayak shops that as soon as you trailer a kayak it then requires ANS inspection as well. What about trailered pontoons?  The answer is that IF YOU PUT THE TRAILER IN THE WATER TO LAUNCH the vessel then you nee...

Day 3 of self-imposed isolation for the Prater Household... During these challenging times of social distancing, here are two new things I have learned about my lovely spouse of 51 years. You may find them useful: Even with logic on my side, do not point out to Linda that her Dragon's Hoard of "fat quarter" quilt fabric would be a potential substitute for our dwindling supply of toilet paper. She is also not nearly as understanding about ice fishing bait pucks in the refrigerator when she finds out what I keep in them. (Especially when I've left them in there a bit too long) (And for God's sake, and the sake of your marriage, only refer to them as "waxies," or "larvae."  Never refer to "spikes" by their more technically accurate name, "maggots."   

Jim reports he and grandson caught big trout at Grey’s Reef in bunches Tuesday, averaging 10 trout an hour between 15 and 22 inches. It was downright balmy by Wyoming standards, temperature in the 50s and winds up to 15 mph. He’s hoping to organize a club trip this time in 2021. Joe holds he and grandpa’s double.

As we go through these early days of enforced social distancing, please share your learning experiences with the rest of the club. I’ll start: This probably won’t help your grandkids. But whenever you are on the verge of saying or hearing something likely disruptive to the household, simply reach behind both ears and firmly turn off the hearing aids. And again, let the rest of us know whether this helps keep you safe in these trying times. Bill

By Bill Prater Authorities are warning everyone to avoid crowds, but anglers have never been fond of others getting too danged close while we're trying to fish. The average crowd-loving American is going bonkers, faced with the spectre of closed signs on bars, unhappy people lined up for carryout at restaurants, and no department store clearance sales. Without question, extroverts make up the bulk of the hordes we see swarming into grocery stores; truth be told, not so much for the opportunity to buy more toilet paper as for the chance to crowd together in a fine, shared misery. This is just a note to the extroverts of the world, advising you not to worry overmuch about introverts like me.  Were it not for the likelihood of horrifying illness, and the pandemonium and financial ruin around us, “social distancing” would be something introverts have (quietly of course) longed for our entire lives. Others moan in collective misery as recommended maximum crowd sizes drop from ...

Not sure of the reasoning, but just saw this news out of New Mexico... EL PASO, Texas (KSTM) — Starting Monday, all New Mexico state parks will be closed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.   New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has directed the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to close all New Mexico state parks and cancel all events through April 9. The closure could be extended if needed. EMNRD sais there will be law enforcement presence at all parks to “ensure the protection of natural resources.” Visitors with overnight camping reservations will be issued a full refund.

Also, we’re cancelling Friday morning breakfasts at least through March. President Jim Baxter says the board will continue to assess the situation over time, and hopes to reschedule the planned day of fishing at Colorado Youth Outdoors’ Swift Ponds. So stay safe, and don’t stop fishing. Surely even really, really big crowds of hungry fish won’t be contagious.

A limited number of custom coffee mugs with the Loveland Fishing Club logo are available to club members for purchase. Based on input from the February meeting, retired Navy veteran Ron Rodgers has created a dozen travel mugs for us, at a cost of  $16 each, a dozen camping style mugs at $12 and four ceramic mugs at $6, added as an option because someone requested a microwaveable option.  They will be available at cost from Bill Prater until supplies are exhausted, first come, first served. If we hold the March meeting at Swift Ponds Tuesday as planned, you can get them there, If you can, please bring exact change or a check. Here’s what they look like (please forgive the slight imperfection; I, uh, didnt get it corrected. Hey, I’m in the high risk group).

With Chilson Center closed due to you know what, the March Loveland Fishing Club Board meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Perkins. The meeting is open to all members. The general meeting is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Colorado Youth Outdoors (Swift Ponds near Windsor), but the board will decide at Monday's meeting whether it should be cancelled. We'll let you know as soon as possible.

What you gonna do? Western Walleye  Expo scrubbed Due to the continued spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Colorado, Adams County is following health agency recommendations to cancel our Western Walleye Expo April 4th event  along with others at county facilities, through the end of May, in an effort to keep the community safe.  https://coloradoboxoffice.com/events/western-walleye-expo-4-4-2020?fbclid=IwAR2CPf52ooyrbfnbJxaXbeFzXLxck6_CfcsWZuPsMhGg4J4lgCkJfQxOeWc

Next months General Meeting on March 17th is at Swift Ponds (Colorado Youth Outdoors). Chilson's Senior Center is unable to host due to a large celebration.  LFC club members are invited to fish at the Rainbow Hole (see second map) before and after the meeting. The meeting will be held at Richardson Hall. Meeting time will be the same as usual at 2:00 PM. From Loveland take 392 East or Crossroads Blvd East to Centerra Parkway and travel north. That road will change names from Centerra to N Fairground Ave and finally to S Co 5 until you get to Ketcher Rd. Turn west and you will see the gate to Swift Ponds. From Fort Collins go to East Harmony and then turn south on Co 5. If you get lost you can call the CYO office number at 970-663-0800

Lest we get in a rut, it’s time to ponder where and how the heck we’ll be fishing in the rest of 2020. This time of year, we’re held back in places by the weather. Front Range ice fishing was short this winter, but open water awaits. For fishing through a hole, from now to ice off we’re pretty much limited to the mountains, North Park and the plains of south central Wyoming.  Open water options along the Front Range will expand steadily as temperatures rise. Someone needs to give us a fishing report from Boyd (boating is open, and the lake is ice free everywhere but the Marina Inlet. We’ve got decent options at St. Vrain, Rivers Edge and the Recycle Pond, and Dixon is typically one of the  first small lakes around here to offer warm water species options. Carter and Flatiron also provide decent open water options for trout. There has been talk, which I strongly endorse, of getting a jump on the Horsetooth smallmouth season by launching float tubes in Marina or South B...

Jim Roode and his grandson are planning to float Grey Reef in Wyoming on Tuesday, March 17th, and as he says, it “would be fun to have others make the float.” Winter Rates are $375 per boat. Here's the link https:// greyreefanglers .com/ Contact Jim at  Jim

With spring inching closer, some of the warmer-weather outdoor activities will begin to pick-up in the coming days and weeks. Here's Colorado Parks and Wildlife update on projected openings to campgrounds and boating at its Northeast Region parks and state wildlife areas. Boyd Lake State Park kicked it all off for the season by opening its boat ramp at 8 a.m. Friday, March 6. It’s aquatic nuisance species (ANS) inspection station hours will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the month of March, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in April and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. from May through the remainder of the summer. A dozen or more boats reportedly hit the water Friday, including a couple wake boats. Remember to get your boat inspected prior to launch, check your lifejackets and boat plugs. Jackson Lake State Park anticipates being open to boating by March 15, depending on weather and ice. It was scheduled to open on March 1, but because ice was still on the lake the opening day was pushed back. It’s nor...

This years Annual Club Walleye Trip To Jumbo Reservoir is scheduled for Tuesday/Wednesday May 12-13 Norm Englebrecht is the Wrangler for this trip. A sign up sheet is available at the monthly club meetings or at Friday breakfasts. You can also call Norm at 970-685-0566. Last year almost everyone caught their limit and weather was great. People caught their limits from shore as well as from a boat. Jumbo Reservoir is close to Sedgewick, CO east of Sterling and is about 150 miles from Loveland. The easiest route is east on HWY 34 to I-76 which will get you pretty darn close to the reservoir. Barb Ding notes that the Antique Inn in Sedgewick is a great place to stay - it is $40 per person - call Lupe at 970-463-9932 for reservations. 

By Bill Prater With the water around here warming slowly, this may be a good time to consider whether to get out there and fish from a float tube. Since I wrote a few weeks ago about the rewards of mid-winter, open water fishing, several have asked whether it’s really possible to fish from a float tube as soon as a little ice opens up, and whether you can avoid hypothermia and general freezing of the nether regions. The answer to both questions is “yes,” but I’ll leave it to you and your spouse or Mama to say whether you should. I wouldn’t recommend it to the cold-natured or the belly boating beginners, but you don’t have to be an Inuit to do this, either. Prepping the float tube You might think your little boat will lose air over the course of the day, but advance planning should keep that from happening. If you fill your tube in a warm garage and then take it out in the cold open air, it will start to collapse. Pump the thing up in an unheated area, keep it in the cold on the ...

While the rest of the crew battled valiant but kinda scrawny stockers Wednesday, Jim Clune quietly sat atop his pontoon and caught three big brood rainbows. To prove it to the more skeptical among us, Jim took some movies with his cell phone, but for some danged reason we can see them on his cell phone but the files can't be viewed anywhere else. Damned 21st Century technology. I'll testify, though:  they looked pretty fat and healthy. One was 19 1/2 inches, another 21 1/4. So let's go fishing again soon. I hear Norm and Rick P are up at the Laramie Lakes today, but I also hear it's supposed to be pretty windy up there. We should hear all about it at breakfast Friday.

Ann Kara Higgs, 80, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and caregiver passed away peacefully on February 27, 2020 surrounded by her family.  Service information is not yet available. Ann was born on June 28, 1939 in LaPorte, Indiana to Eloise (Krueger) and Ogden Jarvis. Ann attended school in Michigan City, Indiana where she met the love of her life Charlie, longtime member of the Loveland Fishing Club. Ann and Charlie were married on June 12, 1959 and moved to Ann Arbor, where Charlie attended the University of Michigan. During their 60 years of marriage, Ann and Charlie lived in Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Colorado. You can view the complete obituary by clicking on the link below http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/national-cremation/obituary.aspx?n=Ann-Higgs&lc=5073&pid=195568366&mid=9067384

Here the tentative speaker topics for 2020 Loveland Fishing Club meetings and the name of the member responsible for those speakers: Month Topic and Host March Walleye fishing, Dan Barker April        State Wildlife Areas, Ray Park May         City parks, Tom Miller June         Lakes around the state, Tom Miller July         Fishing with Wayne, Wayne Baranczyk August Club picnic Sept         Fish Explorer, Bill Prater October Larimer County parks, Dave Johnson Nov        Open Dec        Holiday party

Okay, several of northern Colorado's most stalwart anglers were still haunting the receding edges of Boyd Lake ice on Sunday, but the more cautious among us are ready for Front Range open water. Tom Miller, after visiting with Dennis Kelsey at Rivers Edge Friday, took the tour of Boyd and Carter lakes to see if he could get information about opening dates for boats. At Boyd, he says, "I saw that the Marina is still ice bound, but the ramp was free of ice. The courtesy dock is on the parking lot, lined up and ready to go down the ramp (when it’s time)." He stopped by the office and reports "the lady there suggested that they are looking at opening on March 1." That ship has obviously sailed. With the ice still lingering around the marina, it is most likely that opening will be at least a week away. The Boyd website today just says "to be determined when Boyd Lake will be opening to boating." Acquatic nuisance inspection hours in March will be 8 a.m...