Tour Leland's car collection Monday, Sept. 30

Per his invitation at the September club meeting, Leland Haskell has some restored cars "that most folks have never heard of before," and he's inviting club members to have a look at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30.  The address is 3840 S. Garfield Ave., Loveland; phone 970-593-2923.

Directions:  287 South, turn west onto 42nd St SE (County Road 14). Take first right to S Garfield. 

Post-flood fly fishing recommendations

Front Range Anglers has compiled a list of recommended fly fishing waters reasonably close to home, while we're waiting for Front Range flooding to subside.  Here's the link.

Front Range Anglers is a Boulder-based fly fishing store and guide service.  Their choice for fishable waters within a 3-hour radius of Boulder:  the Blue, Fraser, Williams Fork, South St. Vrain and the South Platte Rivers.

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Finally! Some good news for NoCo anglers

I for one was disheartened by an aerial video of our Bellevule Watson hatchery at under water last week, but lo and behold!  the hatchery "did survive and has quite a few fish left," reports Clayton Brossart, Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife District Wildlife Manager.  It's good news for flood-weary fishermen for the fall - and holding promise for a reasonable winter ice fishing season.

"They've been trying to empty the hatchery by stocking out ahead of schedule," Clayton says.  "They stocked Boyd, Flatiron and Lon Hagler this week, so the fishing should be good as the water clears up."

Tom Miller also reports that Flatiron and Pinewood have gotten fish since the flood. He also swears he saw trout trying to jump back into the Boyd outlet pipe from Horseshoe Lake.  See his photo below. 

Water from Horseshoe pours into a rapidly filling Boyd Sept. 20, as a couple of anglers try their luck at the Marina Inlet. 

These northern Colorado fishing areas closed

We'll be updating you as circumstances dictate on what's known about area fishing and the outdoors in general.  Horsetooth, Boyd, Carter and others are open, but there are longer, evolving lists of what's closed. The Boulder Canyon and Canyon Lakes ranger districts of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests are also closed temporarily, due to saturated soils and the need to facility emergency response.

Even though the water's pretty muddy and getting worse, I'd recommend the Marina and Heinrici inlets at Boyd, where water coming from Horseshoe is creating a current that attracts predator fish. Let us know how you're doing there or elsewhere.  Any word on conditions at Lon Hagler, Boedecker, Lonetree or elsewhere?  Know they're full and muddy; any fish biting?

 I'll be looking for links to agencies providing reports on other areas.  If you want to chime in on others, send me a note.  My thanks to club friend Dennis Smith, author of the Home Waters column, for help identifying closed area.  Bill. 

Here's a partial list of closings as of 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20.

The latest on the club's most dedicated hunters ...

During Tuesday's club meeting, I noted that we were about to celebrate our 10th anniversary, but some of our founding fathers weren't around to reminisce or enjoy some cake and ice cream:   Two of first presidents were nowhere to be seen, Jim Clune and Norm Englebrecht, and neither was our government affairs chair, Jim Roode.  Here's why:  

Club celebrates 10th year ...

Tom Miller, right, first club president, talks about how we got started...

Tom Boesch, left; Ray Park and Gerry Belko reminisce over cake and ice cream.

Club donates $1,000 to Northern Colorado Donation Center

Club Treasurer Barbara Ding, center, and President Jerry Miles present check to Loveland's new Northern Colorado Donation Center.

The following news release was sent Sept. 18 to the Loveland Reporter-Herald and Fort Collins Coloradoan.

For immediate release

Loveland Fishing Club donating $1,000 to Northern Colorado Donation Center

Sept. 18, 2013 - The Loveland Fishing Club, a group of about 100 anglers affiliated with the Chilson Senior Center, is donating $1,000 to the Northern Colorado Donation Center, set up to facilitate aid to Big Thompson flood victims.

"We were holding our monthly meeting Tuesday, and the idea was met with unanimous approval," says Club President Jerry Miles.  "Some thought we should donate directly to the Red Cross, but we like the way the new center is focused on our community, and that the aid goes for what local disaster relief people feel is needed most.”

Flooding impact on Big T, Poudre, and area roads

Several club members have asked for a link to the Fort Collins Coloradoan video shown at the Sept. 17 club meeting, showing the impact of flooding along the Big Thompson and Cache la Poudre. Click here to view.

If you're heading somewhere and wondering if you can still get there from here, Google has created a nifty, interactive and regularly updated map showing northern Front Range road closings.  Here's the link.  Click on a portion of the map to enlarge the area you're interested in.  

Thanks again to Senior Derby organizers

·       Derby Chair Ray Park

·       Senior Facility Contacts Norm Engelbrecht and Gene Spiedel

·       Registration of Seniors Richard Radies

·       Advertising Tom Miller and Bill Prater

·       Prizes Janet Miles

·       Food Tom Boesch

·       Poles and Equipment George Kral

·       Chairs Gerry Belko

·       Fish Cleaning Mechael Scheber

·       Signs Bob Roelofsz

Loveland Fishing Club Charter Members (apologies if we missed someone) 

1. Tom Miller, president
2. George Kral,  vice president
3. Dick Bunce, secretary
4. Bob Roelofsz, treasurer
5. Bob Peterson
6. Dottie Bethel
7. Edie Brown
8. Dick Bunce
9. Jim Clune
10. Lou Colton
11. Norm Englebrecht
12. Peter Gibbons
13. Dave Harem 
14. Dick Hunsaker
15. Walt Graul
16. Skip Kral
17. Earl Mollohan
18. Duane Pond
19. Bob Ray
20. Shirley Smilley
21. Bill Thompson
22. Bob Thorpe
23. Warren Trock
24. Dan Valencia
25. Bernie Wysock
26. Bill Richie 

Senior Derby and Club tourney at Flatiron CANCELLED

We hate to do this, as dozens of club members have busted themselves getting ready for the third annual derby, and a great turnout was expected.  But the floods got to us.

After inspecting Flatirons Reservoir and the roads into the Larimer County Parks and Open Space property Monday, organizer Ray Park reluctantly decided the senior derby would have to be cancelled.   The club tournament planned for Monday Sept. 23, will also not be held.

Northern Colorado’s natural resources have suffered enormous losses, many of which won’t be apparent for weeks or months.  The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife hatchery at Laporte, friends who have supported major club events including this week’s derby, was inundated by the Cache la Poudre.  And we know there’s major damage to the new River’s Edge Natural Area in Loveland, which the club had planned to support at a grand opening Sept. 28.  They’re going to have other needs for a long time.

As for the Senior Derby and our disappointed but understanding friends at area assisted living centers, we’ll put together another event  in 2014 that will knock their support hose off.

Senior Fishing Derby set for Sept. 18 at Flatiron. You'll want to help with this one!

The third annual Loveland Senior Fishing Derby is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Flatiron Reservoir west of Loveland on County Road 18E.

The free event is co-sponsored by the Loveland Fishing Club and Chilson Senior Center, aided by the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, which will be stocking the lake with trout to help ensure the day’s success.  We need lots of volunteer help to ensure a great day for these elderly anglers, so be sure to add your name to Ray Park's signup sheet at breakfast or the Sept. 17 club meeting. This is quickly become one of the year's highlights.

Residents of all assisted living centers in the city have been invited to participate, and the club is covering the cost of their fishing license. Chilsen Senior Center is also signing up participants.

Volunteers needed for Chilson' Harvest Bazaar

The Harvest Bazaar at Chilson, an annual fund-raising event for the Chilson Senior Advisory Committee, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20.

The Loveland Fishing Club is traditionally a major supporter, and volunteers are needed to help with meal prep, cleanup and other activities.  See the signup sheet at breakfast and at the Tuesday, Sept. 17 club meeting for details.  

To see the Bazaar flyer, click here.