Catfishing at night!

Okay, not the most popular sport at Boyd Lake:  the six club members who showed up Tuesday night had the usually busy lake to themselves, soon after dusk.  But it was a great night to be on the water, cool and dead calm, great for float tubing, if not for harvest.  Jim Roode, shown here in his new pontoon boat, took home a fat 18-inch channel cat that fell victim to a nightcrawler crawling along the bottom.  "There are some big fish in this lake," says Jim, ready to try it again.    Photo by Bill Prater

Volunteers needed to teach young Boyd Lake campers Saturday morning

The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife will hold its final clinic for young campers Saturday, Aug. 31 at Boyd Lake, and needs two-three volunteers to help work with the kids.

Meet at the state park office at 8:30; a casting clinic for youngsters (accompanied by a parent) runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

Mark your calendar! Major events in September!

REPOSTING TO ADD KEY DATES.  This is one great wrapup for the 2013 summer season!  More details to come.  For now, plan on these club activities in September:

• Board meeting:  9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at Chilsen Center.  Postponed a week because of Labor Day.
• General meeting, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, Chilsen.  A special meeting marking the 10th anniversary of the club's founding!
• 3rd Annual Loveland Fishing Club Senior Fishing Derby, Flatiron Reservoir, Wednesday, Sept. 18.  We're upping the ante with even more assisted living centers invited to participate, along with an open invitation to seniors at Chilsen Center.  This is our chance to bring a unique fishing opportunity to Loveland seniors the way we hope someone does for us one of these days.
• Annual Club Tournament, also at Flatiron, 9 a.m. to noon, Friday, Sept. 20.  The Division of Wildlife will be stocking the lake with catchable trout just before our Senior Fishing Derby, and we're planning to catch whatever's left.  Norm Englebrecht, last year's big winner, is responsible for the free picnic lunch that follows the competition.  (Okay, he's responsible for cooking the hot dogs)
• Grand Opening, River's Edge Natural Area, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.  The club will be helping the Division of Wildlife with kids' fishing, and in return we get an early crack at fishing the three ponds!  7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.  Details to come.  

October follows quickly.  Check the club calendar for the fishing schedule; Lou has a major campout planned at Dowdy Lake Oct. 1-4th.

Get out your stinkbaits! Time to go catfishing

What else would you be doing on a hot August night?  Join Jim Roode and Bill Prater for an evening of catfishing at Boyd Lake on Tuesday, Aug. 27.  Whether you join them in a float tube or fish from the bank or a boat, this should be a good evening on the water.

We'll be meeting at the marina bay boat ramp around 7 p.m. and fish until we exhaust our worms or our patience.  At least two other club members are planning to bank fish near the ramp, and be available in case one of us springs a leak.  Don't forget the West Nile mosquito threat; wear long sleeves and bring lots of repellent.

If you need a lift into the park to avoid the entrance fee, come by Bill's by 6:30; 1915 Pikes Peak Drive, just south of East 37th Street near the park.

10th annual picnic a smoking success

More than 120 folks - club members, spouses and a few other special guests - turned out for the Aug. 20 picnic at Loveland's Railroad Park.  John Gwinnup and crew manned the grills, Tom and Sheila Miller brought in sweet corn fresh from their garden, and everyone chipped in with something special to eat.

Photos by George Kraal.

Meet your new treasurer - Barbara Ding

Barbara has picked up treasurer duties from Charlie Higgs, who's recovering from some health issues.
Say hello when you see her!

Water's getting pretty low at Jackson Lake

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is informing boaters that the water level at Jackson Lake State Park east of Jackson has dropped to a level that makes it difficult for larger vessels to launch. Water levels at the end of the boat ramp are currently at a mere two and a half feet.
 
The water stored in Jackson Lake is for irrigation of crops. The drawdown of the reservoir is the result of area farmers need for the water. Around Nov. 1, water should begin to flow into the reservoir again.

Smaller vessels such as small aluminum fishing boats and jet skis can still launch at Jackson Lake State Park. However, larger vessels with a deep hull or a trailer that sits high above the ground will have difficulty or be unable to launch. Hand launched craft such as canoes and kayaks will be allowed until the water level drops to a level that Park personnel cannot launch rescue craft onto the water.

Inspections for aquatic nuisance species are still in effect until the reservoir closes to boating. Hours for the station have changed effective Aug. 12. The new hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

All other activities remain open. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, an OHV track, bird watching and interpretive programs. For the most current conditions, please call 970-645-2551 or email dnr_jackson.lake@state.cous or find us on Facebook.

Club outing to Swift Ponds Thursday, Aug. 15

Our friends with Colorado Youth Outdoors have invited us to fish again at Swift Ponds north of Windsor, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15.

Fishing is catch and release only; barbless hooks recommended.  You're free to fish at any pond on the facility; in the past we've kinda scattered all over the place.  Fishing can be very good, especially for largemouth bass.

The facility has restrooms and a drinking fountain, but you might want to bring drinks and a picnic lunch.  Thanks to Dave Boyle for making the arrangements.

Annual picnic is Tuesday, Aug. 20

This year's picnic will be at the covered picnic area at Old Fairground Park; your spouse or significant other is welcome. We need to get a headcount to make sure we have enough food for everyone, so if you didn't already sign up at Friday breakfast, please let George Kral, kral@Q.com know you're coming.

Steak, chicken, corn and other good things will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m., but you're welcome to come from 3:30 on. Bring your own knife and fork. Tom Boesch is in overall charge of the event; John Gwinnup is lining up volunteers to bring in their grills to cook the meat, and Tom Miller is again providing everyone with fresh-picked corn from his garden.

Also, please bring a dessert, hot dish or salad, enough to serve 5 people. If you're last name begins with A-G, please bring dessert; H-O, a hot dish; and P-Z, a salad.  The club will provide the rest.  We'll be under the group pavilion.  Note the picnic is in lieu of our usual monthly meeting at Chilson Center.

Little girls and fishing

 The club had another great time with Loveland Girl Scouts on Tuesday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 17, at their annual Jamboree at Lon Hagler.  We hosted more about 120 girls, demonstrating techniques where needed and generally enjoying the giggles and occasional fish
.