The Forgetful Angler: January Newsletter

Put on your Christmas socks and head to the lake

Once again it is that awkward time of year when Loveland Fishing Club members look around at one another and ask, "What should we do until spring?"  

For some, it's too damned cold to go fishing.  For others, it's too warm.  Boyd was long frozen over by this time last year; at the moment, ducks are swimming around Marina Inlet.  So for the angler who just can't wait until spring, we have the high country, or we have friends or relatives to visit in Florida.  Or we have Friday morning sessions at the Widow McCoy's, where we can talk until we run out of coffee about places we've been intending to go. 

We also have the club Fishing Calendar, and it is past time that we all give it the attention it deserves -- and time to thank the folks who put together the club fishing dates every month.

The Forgetful Angler - December 2010 Newsletter

The editor

First topic:  Why Real Anglers Don't Tweet. 

 Below is the first of what could be a monthly report on essential club activities.  Your suggestions would be much appreciated.  Bill P

I am often asked why we do not have a Loveland Fishing Club Facebook account, and why members cluster together like a school of baby shad every Friday morning at the Widow McCoy's to talk about events of the week just past.  In the spirit of the season, I will share these and other closely held club secrets:  The answer, people, is that we've got time on our hands.

Update on water levels at Pinewood, Flatiron, Carter, Horsetooth

Following is a note from Kara Lamb, Bureau of Reclamation, advising that Pinewood and Flatiron will be at dead storage levels until mid December, because of maintenance work.  There's also information on Carter and Horsetooth:  

We have passed the half-way mark in our annual maintenance across the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. There are roughly four weeks left.

Wednesday, Nov. 10, we started running water through the Alva B. Adams Tunnel for some power generation on the upper portion of the project. As a result, Lake Estes rose a couple feet in water level elevation. It will begin a more typical pattern of water level fluctuation over the weekend.

Suggested slate of officers for 2011

Following is the suggested slate of officers for 2011, from incoming Club President Ray Park. Please review and inform of any and all suggestions.

President:        Ray Park
Vice President:   Dave Boyle
Treasurer:        Dave Harem
Secretary:        Jim Roode
Past Pres:        John Gwinnup   (Parliamentarian)

Activities Chairman:        Lou Colton           
Activities Committee:      John Grady                       
                                           Frank Zupanc
Raffle Chair:  Merle Boden
Raffle Committee Richard Radies
 
Program Chairman:    Tom Garland 
Historian: Skip Kral
Program Committee:   Gene Speidel, George Kral

Web Master:                    Bill Prater
Club Communications:   George Kral
Advertising Chairman:    Tom Miller
Map & Banner Keeper:   Bob Roelofsz

November Club Fishing Calendar online

Barring an early deep freeze, local club trips in November will be to Boyd Lake, Lon Hagler and the Big Thompson.  To carpool, meet at 8 a.m. at the K-Mart parking lot.  Thanks to Jim Kucera, Alan Anderson, John Grady and Frank Zupanc.  To view the schedule, visit the club website, www.lovelandfishingclub.orghttp://www.lovelandfishingclub.org

While the rest of us fish for stockers ...

John Plog displays a couple 7-pound salmon he hauled in on a trip to Ketchikan, Alaska, on Sept. 14.

Some boat ramps closing down for season, none local for now

DENVER, Colo.--Boat ramps and watercraft-inspection stations at two popular impoundments, Jumbo and Turquoise, have closed for the season and other boat ramps across the state will be closing soon. Seasonal closures will remain in effect until inspections for invasive mussels and other aquatic nuisance species resume next spring.


Hand-launched, non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, belly boats, sailboards, rafts, float tubes, windsurfer boards and inner tubes are permitted and will not be affected by the closures.

Loveland area waters like Boyd and Horsetooth will remain open until late November, weather and water levels permitting.  Lake Grandby inspections will be shutting down Oct. 31.  Here's a link to the DOW's website about inspections:  http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/MandatoryBoatInspections.htm

Alan Anderson wins club tournament. Again!

Alan Anderson, who won the 2008 tournament at Flatiron Reservoir, came out on top again on Tuesday, Oct. 5, with a winning stringer of trout of 48 inches.  He received the revolving Grand Champion Trophy from last year's winner, Dominic Scavullo.

Leland Carpenter  was second with a total catch of 45 1/2 inches, and Bob Roelofz was third with 31 inches.
Prizes included cash for the winners of $50, $30 and $20.  

Photo by George Kral

Don't miss the annual Club Fishing Derby Tue Oct 5

Grab your cans of corn and a handful of nightcrawlers! The 4th annual club fishing derby is set for 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 5, on the banks of Flatiron Reservoir. (NOTE CORRECTED DATE)

Cash prizes will be given for biggest and smallest fish and for the longest stringer of fish.  The winner gets his or her name engraved on the revolving trophy, won last year by Dominic Scarillo, who also earned the right to be chief cook at this year's free picnic to follow.  There's no entry fee and no charge for the food!

The rules are simple:  any legal form of fishing is permitted, but you're limited to one pole and a single hook, according to derby organizer Frank Zupanc.

Flatirons is part of Larimer County Parks and Open Space, so there's a fee for entry.  To carpool with someone who has a park permit, meet at the southeast corner of the K-Mart parking lot by 7:30 a.m.

Club members recognized for volunteer project at Lon Hagler

Members of the Loveland Fishing Club worked alongside the Colorado Division of Wildlife to build spawning habitat at Lon Hagler Reservoir Friday, and wound up featured in a major article in the Aug. 29 Loveland Reporter Herald.  The work involved improvements to spawning habitat in the lake.  For the complete story, visit the newspaper's website here:  http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=29284

Club members worked to add spawning habitat in the lake, drawn down for the season.  Photo by George Kral

Big Thompson cleanup will be Thursday, Aug. 19

After several weather-related delays, the club's cleanup of the Sleepy Hollow fishing access area on the Big Thompson has been set for Thursday, Aug. 19

Meet at the southeast corner of the K-Mart parking lot at 8 a.m. to carpool to the site, north of Drake.  And bring your fishing gear; we'll try out the water after cleanup!

Club & Chilson kids go fishing

Below, Jim Giles and young Chilson day camper struggle with a catch at the North Lake Duck Pond on July 15.  At right is Dave Harem.  Fifteen club members helped create fishing memories for more than 50 youngsters.

Fishing with the Girl Scouts

Bob Roelofz and Girl Scout buddy

2010 Kids Derby another great team success!

Nearly 500 youngsters registered for the 2010 Derby at the North Lake Duck Pond, and a crowd estimated at more than 1,500 turned out for the annual event, organized by Loveland Police with the Loveland Fishing Club.

With club members signing up the kids, making sure they had plenty of good equipment, and handing out prizes for largest and smallest fish and for half-hour lottery winners, the derby continues as one of LFC's premier events for youngsters.  Photos by George Kral.  To see others, click here.

While the rest of us talk about fishing ...

Here's Alan Anderson and his new friend, a 27-inch wiper he yanked out of Boyd Lake on May 3.  Darned if I knew there were even any wiper in the lake, but that sure isn't a white bass.

Boyd Lake boat ramps open

The zebra mussel station is now open during daylight hours, and the main boat ramps are open.  You need to stop by for a brief inspection of your boat before launch.  When it's busy, particularly on weekends, you'll want to stop on the way out to get tags for the next entry. 

If you hear about plans for Horsetooth or other area lakes, please post a comment here. 

Jim Roode, center in the hat, helps young anglers learn to cast onto the Lagoon near Chilson Senior City at Kids Day. 

February fishing reports, Colorado Division of Wildlife

Updated Feb. 10, 2010:  It's going to be ice fishing for a good while yet, and the DOW has provided this latest report on where to go.  Click here.

Where the fish are

Walleye numbers are up at Boyd Lake, Horsetooth has a lot of smallmouth, the Big Thompson has a healthy rainbow and brown trout population and Lonetree holds some big wipers, according to Colorado Division of Wildlife Acquatic Biologist Ben Swigle.  Ben talked at LFC's general meeting on February 16 about the fish surveys he and other DOW employees conducted in late 2009.  The results for these and other lakes and streams across the state can be found by clicking here. 

South Dakota walleye fishing June 14-17

Two days of walleye fishing in Lake Francis Case and Lake Sharpe near Chamberlain, South Dakota is set for mid June.  The club will drive to Chamberlain on Monday, June 14, fish Tuesday and Wednesday with guides from Allen's Fishing and Hunting, and drive home on Thursday.  A $50 deposit is required; contact Bob Scott or Frank Zupanc.

Club helps with Loveland Kids Day Wednesday, March 3

Club members will demonstrate casting and other fishing techniques to attendees of the annual Kids day event that runs from 1 to 4 p.m. March 3.  The day's activities will be held around Foote Lagoon near the Chilson Center.  For more information, contact George Kral.

Loveland Police Kids Fishing Derby is Saturday, June 4

LFC will again be a major sponsor of the Kids' Derby at North Lake Park, a one-day event this year rather than two.  The fish will be dropped in the Duck Pond on Friday, June 4 and the derby runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p .m. Saturday.  We'll arrive at 6 a.m. for setup.  Watch this blog for updates on our plans for this great community event.  Here are photos from the 2009 derby.

Colorado Walleyes Expo is March 21

The annual event by the Colorado Walleyes Association will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 21, at the Jeffersoun County Fairgrounds, West 6th Avenue, Golden.  Admission is $5; anglers 15 and under and their accompanying adult are admitted from.  Here's the link for more information.

Add a comment to this article if you're interested in carpooling. 

Still time to sign up for May's Blue Mesa trip

Prompted by previous success, this year's trip to Blue Mesa Reservoir looks to be the largest overnight outing in club history, with 23 club members already signed up.

Organizer of the trip, LFC Vice President Ray Park, says there's still time to sign up, but he needs to know very soon to ensure accommodations.  So if you want to go, contact Ray at RAPark63@comcast.net as soon as possible, and also tell him whether you'll be taking a boat or wish to share a cabin.  (more)

Antero Slide Show from Lake Ice USA

Dave Bryant, guide for the club's Antero Reservoir ice fishing trip, has posted a slide show of club members on the Lake Ice USA website.  Take a look: http://www.lakeiceusa.com/gallery.htm

February club calendar posted on the website

Here's the link to the club's Google calendar, http://www.lovelandfishingclub.org/2.html
Visit periodically to see if dates, times or locations have changed due to weather, fishing conditions or the whims of particular fishermen.  Remember, unless otherwise stated, meet at 8 a.m. at the southeast corner of the K-Mart parking lot in Loveland. 

Like to recommend an alternate fishing spot?  From this article on the club blog, click on "comments."

Banquet time

New club officers for 2010 were installed Jan. 22 at the club's annual banquet at Chilsen Center.  Frank Zupanc shows off the money shirt he won at the event's raffle. 

John Grady, left, with Lake Antero rainbow and guide Dave Bryant. To see more, visit the club website.

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