Dave and Tom and Horsetooth on a fine sunny day

Fat Horsetooth smallmouth writhe around on the tailgate of Tom Miller's truck. I count six, so either Dave Boyle caught one or two or someone needs to call the game warden. 

Please Read: Ranger Lakes Trip Scheduled for July 27-30

From Dave Johnson,

Regarding the Ranger Lakes trip. It is scheduled for July 27-30. I had a signup sheet made for the next meeting and then covid. So, no chance to get folks signed up. When I agreed to sponsor the trip I announced ( at a meeting) to get reservations in early as the campground fills up quickly. I don't know how many folks did that and if they don't have a reservation now I doubt that they are available. 

As far as I am concerned this trip is still on, so I would suggest that folks that have reservations call me (970-509-0478) or email (dk80446@yahoo.com) and I will update sign up sheet. As far as steak night or other activities I will wait to see how many participants we have to plan those.

Editors Note: There's an outside chance that you could still get a camping spot at Ranger Lakes or potentially somewhere else. Last year a couple of us drove up for a day and it was well worth it. We got to fish with friends and enjoy their company. Even if you aren't going to camp let Dave know you plan on coming up for a day. Let him know if you would like to participate in an after hours (that means after fishing :) activity with those that are camping. That might help Dave determine which night that could happen.

Larry Haagenson and Lake Trout

Larry joined our club last year and went on a few ice fishing trips to North park with us last winter. It looks like he knows how to fish from a boat too!

Photo by Larry Haagenson

Photo by Larry Haagenson

Board Meeting reinstated for June 15th.

Christine’s backyard in Loveland will be the site of the 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 15 meeting of the Loveland Fishing Club Board.Christine will have chairs set up to ensure social distancing. If you are a club member planning to attend, call Christine at 970-402-8588 or email her at christinaweiss6@aol.com. Please wear a face mask and bring your own hand sanitizer. ”If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out,” Christina says. “Stay safe!”

Float tube, kayak or pontoon on North Michigan Reservoir this Wednesday?

A few of us are planning on going to North Michigan Reservoir on Wednesday. Weather looks good, Monday/Tuesday chance of rain Wed/Fri mostly sunny and warmer temps.

Last time Bill and Wayne went we were in Walden at Delaney and it was pretty windy. They went to North Michigan and said it wasn't bad considering the wind in Walden. They were pretty sheltered by the dam. So, get there early before wind starts, which is usually afternoon, and if it does pick up then head over by the dam.

Rick

Doug Money declares candidacy for LFC's Once Hottest Angler!

We are seeking photos dating back to the early days of Eastman Kodak; club members in their prime showing the rest of us just how hot you once were.

The latest entry comes from Vice President Doug Money, shown here, at left, with an impressive stringer of fish and his Dad, whom Doug says "taught me to fish...and one of the first things he taught me is the importance of a fishing dress code." Which is advice other unnamed members of the club might heed.  (Also, we do love that lad's haircut)

So dig through your scrap books and send us your entry, a jpeg to LFC's Hottest Angler nominee.

Remember, photos accompanied by a fish are encouraged but not mandatory. Entries should not be Photoshopped, misrepresented or otherwise strain other club members’ sensibilities.  Also, this is a family website; nudity should be at least tasteful, and age appropriate.

More proof there are fish in Horsetooth...

Or at least there were before Dave Boyle dragged these fine smallmouth out of their dens and into his fry pan last week. He saved you some, but don't wait too long; summer is coming fast.

Nothing like fishing in June

Some good reports are coming in from club anglers testing local waters.

So get out, catch some fish, and send the proof to Fish Photo

Club Vice President Doug Money,
with smallmouth taken on recent Boyd trip
with Charlie Higgs.

Charlie Higgs and Boyd rainbow.

Rick Golz and Horsetooth smallmouth.

In honor of Dan’s birthday...A new club tradition!

I propose a new club tradition of giving club members a taste of just how hot some of our fellow club members were just a few years ago (70th Birthday Boy Dan Barker, Kathleen and all other paid -up members can add to the display by sending a jpeg file to LFC’s Hottest Anglers nominee. Photos accompanied by a fish are encouraged but not mandatory.

Entries should not be Photoshopped, falsely identified or otherwise strain club members’ sensibilities.  Also, this is a family website; nudity should be at least tasteful, and age appropriate. I’ll give you a hint on this first lovely candidate: that’s him on the left, not the right, and with him is Playboy’s Miss September 1966.

Looking for a boat? Better get one soon...

There is a Boat Buying Frenzy

Jun 03, 2020

Baird Research, which surveys dealer confidence, shows what is going on at dealerships around the country. The red line indicates current dealer sentiment. Reprinted from Soundings Trade Only.

From all over the country, we are now getting reports that a boat buying frenzy is playing out at many dealerships. From runabouts and center consoles to large express and flybridge cruisers and motoryachts, boats are selling at a fast pace, and many dealers are running out of inventory. Builders of large boats in the $1 to $2 million range report that nationwide inventory is often in single digits, and in some cases only a couple of boats are available for immediate delivery. One financial institution is saying its boat loan business is up 31%. BoatTEST has seen a huge spike in boat research on its website, something echoed by virtually all major online classified services. 

Reprinted from Soundings Trade Only --

Marine dealer sentiment shot to their highest levels since 2018, with the outlook on current conditions measuring 76, versus 19 in April, according to a new survey.

The three- to five-year outlook also improved among 67 dealers who responded to the Pulse Report, a survey administered by Baird Equity Research in conjunction with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Trade Only Today.

“The ‘family’ has recognized due to the pandemic, vacation is out for this year,” wrote one dealer respondent. “No amusement parks, hotels, cruises, destinations closed, etcetera. So, let's look at boating!”

“We are finally seeing more new boaters and families,” wrote another.

Seventy percent reported retail growth in May, up from just 20 percent prior months, and the strongest recorded in the Pulse Report since July 2018, according to Baird.

Boating is a Sign of the Times

The pandemic has created “a surge in interest in socially-distanced outdoor activities, but the true impact on retail demand is hard to parse — even for those in the industry,” read the Pulse Report.

"I've never seen a buying frenzy like this,” wrote one retailer. “Is this a short-term bump or is it a long-term change in consumer habits?"

Used boat retail also altered noticeably, with 74 percent reporting growth, versus just 16 percent reporting a decline.

Used Boat Sales Picking Up, Too

Dealers reported increased consumer interest in listing their boats for sale and a stronger interest in late-model trade-in activity.

“Preowned is moving fast, and not just extremely clean product."

However, another remarked: "Deals getting tougher to do, as trade values are trending way above book value."

Used lean inventory and higher used boat prices support higher levels of new boat sales — a positive for OEMs.

“Our checks support anecdotal evidence that consumers are shifting their leisure time and dollars to socially-distanced outdoor activities,” said the report.