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.

 

Cold, windy, fish weren't biting. Still a great day at Bass Pond with new friends from Bethesda Gardens.

After a hard rain and annoying cold front, the fish weren't too cooperative Monday. No one seemed to mind to much, as the Loveland Fishing Club hosted about 10 residents of Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living Center. 

The bite was slow but conversations were long and happy. Hoping we can get out there with them again soon. 

Photo by Pat Mikulak

Loveland Fishing Club annual Derby Championship is Thursday, Oct. 9!

 

Loveland Fishing Club's finest anglers (and even our worst) are girding their loins and sharpening their hooks for the 2025 Derby Championship at Flatiron Reservoir, being held at Flatiron Reservoir from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 9.

Arnie Stroschein will be defending his 2024 title while Rick Golz attempts to move from second place to ceremonial King or Queen of the club. The contest will be determined by measuring anglers' stringer of four, limited to four fish. 

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. Arnie, perhaps better known for his chili and jambalaya, will be the lead chef at this year's event.

Just a reminder, in case you're tempted for fish with an Alabama rig or bring your kayak, here are the rules: 

• One pole
• 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. Crawdads and suckers may be caught, even bragged about, but won't count toward your total.
• 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. Note the time of your first catch: it may be needed in the unlikely event of a tie. 

Club shirts will be ready for distribution at the picnic

 

Pat Mikulak is reporting that the club's custom embroidered shirts will be ready in time to distribute at the club's annual picnic, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21  at Railroad Park Pavilion.

The deadline for signing up for a shirt has passed. Participants should have placed an order for a shirt embroidered with the Loveland Fishing Club logo, in sizes small through XXX. Please come to the picnic with cash or a check so you can change into your new garb for the meal. Below are Pat and some of his clones modeling the available shirt types and colors. ​