Blue Mesa

Under Dottie's careful watch, Tom Boesch
measures the winning catch.

This year's annual trip to Blue Mesa "turned out to be a lot of fun for all," reports trip organizer Ray Park.     "The weather was perfect with very little wind. The sun was on us most of the time and the fish were biting," with all anglers limiting out on trout.  

Winner of the pot for biggest fish (shown above):  Dottie Bechtel, with a 20 1/4" lake trout, but Ray says Barbra Ding, Dennis Kelsey, Mike Schember and Dave Boyle all came within half an inch of the prize (sadly, the story of some of their fishing careers). "A great trip with a great group," Ray says, "and looking forward to next year when it comes time to head for the Big Blue again."

The team practiced catch and release - right into the grease.

  

Great start for club's "Hot Dog Day"

Okay, we need to come up with a name for this:  Lou Colton calls it "Group Day," I keep calling it Hot Dog.  But the point is, the club's willing to lure you to the water together with the occasional promise of a free dog and soft drink, and it appears to work.  More than a dozen club members, many bringing along their float tubes, ventured to Lon Hagler Tuesday for a day of fishing and socializing.

Some caught fish; some didn't, but t'was a great day on the water.  Where should we hold the next one?  Let's decide at the June meeting.

Dixon's on hold - but get out to Lon Hagler Tuesday

Heavy rains have caused the temporary closure of the Pineridge Natural Area in Fort Collins, including Dixon lake.  So the club outing planned for Thursday, May 29 will be rescheduled.

However, Lon Hagler got through with a lot less excess water than your president's basement - so we'll be there in force Tuesday morning, May 27.   This is our first-ever "Hot Dog Day" with free hot dogs and soft drinks after a day of fishing from boat or bank.  If you have a float tube or pontoon boat, bring it; if you want to try one out, just ask a club member for a little help and encouragement.

Some of us will gather at the north shore boat launch area from about 8 a.m. on; lunch will be in a nearby picnic area.  Let's get out and fish!

Got a big trout photo you're especially proud of? You need to talk to Jim

Hi folks.  New club member Jim Merriott is writing a book on trout fishing that he'll be completing soon, and he needs some really good fish photos - any variety as long as it involves a trout. 

So if you have a photo of one you'd like to see in print, or recall someone else's prize catch, no promises, but contact Jim at 970-692-3535; or email him at jimmerriott@gmail.com.  Tell him Bill sent you.  

Roode comes up with a Jumbo walleye

Once again a new leader emerges in the race to become LFC Fisherman of the Year.

On May 20th, on the club trip to Jumbo Reservoir north of Sterling, Jim Roode caught a 25" walleye -with catch and measurement verified by Norm Englebert, past president and normally a trustworthy sort.

The 25" Walleye represent a little over 96% of the Colorado Master Angler Award (MMA) criteria for the species.  

Currently in second place in the club contest for biggest fish of the year, with a 22" rainbow at almost 92% of MAA, is Jim Clune.  In third place with a 17 3/4" rainbow, nearly 74% MAA, is Tom Boesh.

It's starting to get interesting.  

Want to help with Boyd Lake kids fishing Sunday, May 25?

Colorado Parks & Wildlife needs a couple volunteers to help introduce kids to fishing at Boyd Lake on several weekends this summer.  The first is Sunday, May 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Interested?  Give Bill Prater a call at 970-988-9174.  We'll meet at the visitor center about 8:30 a.m.
Here's the article on the Boyd Lake State Park website:

Youth Fishing Clinic

Sunday, May 25: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Colorado Parks & Wildlife representatives and Loveland Fishing Club volunteers will be on site to teach youth about fishing.

Come learn about fishing regulations, tips, and learn about the fish that live in Boyd Lake!  Fishing poles will be awarded to 1st/2nd/3rd place for individuals that catch the most fish.  We will meet in Heinricy parking lot.  Loaner poles and bait will be provided.  Bring water and snack along.

Denny Breen tames McConaughy pike

Denny Breen landed and released this scary sized northern on a recent trip to Nebrask's Lake McConaughy.
At an even 36 inches length and 11 pounds, the fish would qualify for a Master Angler award if taken from Colorado waters.  Denny says the fish "made five to six runs.  What a thrill!  He had me on edge."

Don't miss this one: Kids Fishing Derby Sat., June 7

Moms, Dads, Grandparents, mark this on your calendar:  this year’s version of Loveland’s perennial kids fishing derby will be held on Saturday, June 1 at the North Lake Park Duck Pond.  Three or four generations of Loveland area anglers have gotten their introduction to our sport at this free annual event, sponsored by Loveland Police and run by an informal coalition of anglers and other fans of kids and the outdoors.

If you've not had the chance to help with the derby before, this is one event you don't want to miss:  our fingerprints are everywhere on this one - gathering donations, arranging for the fish drop, handling registrations and the raffle, and walking around helping out wherever needed.

Larry Carlson and Keith Gentry are again co-chairing the club's work on the derby, with help coming from many hands. 

Jumbo reservoir trip postponed to Wed-Thurs, May 21-22

Following a drastic cold front, snow and high winds, the club's planned trip to Jumbo has been pushed back a week.  Plans are now for an overnight trip to the lake north of Sterling on May 21-22.

Details at breakfast Friday; see Norm Englebrecht.

Mark your calendar: "Teach kids to fish" workshop is Sunday, June 1!

Okay, folks, this is the clinic we've been talking about:  a free three-hour workshop on techniques that will make us even better at teaching our grandkids and other youngsters how to get started on a life-long love of fishing.  Event details:  Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 1, Chilson Senior Center.  (It's on Sunday, so you'll need to enter through the rec center) 

May is one busy month for the Club

Unless we have a few more unexpected snow storms, plan on a busy fishing calendar for the club in May: Two out of town trips, twice-a-week local outings and a first-ever "Group Day" at Lon Hagler, with a free picnic-after-the fishing!

The much-anticipated walleye trip to Jumbo reservoir is May 13-16; there's camping at the lake and motels in Sterling.  See Norm Engelbrecht for details.  For those staying local, there's a boat and float tube trip to Boyd on Tuesday, Mayt 13, and bank fishing at Flatiron on Thursday, May 15.

The annual Blue Mesa trip is Monday-Friday, May 19-23; see Ray Park.
Also that week is the monthly club meeting, 2 p.m. at Chilson on Tuesday, May 20.  There's also an outing to Lonetree in the morning, and on Thursday, May 22, there's a bank fishing expedition to Boedecker.

Continuing the ongoing effort to encourage and even bribe everyone to fish together more often, we're having a hotdog, chips and soft drink picnic following a morning of fishing at Lon Hagler on Tuesday, May 27.  Larry Larsen and Dennis Lund are making arrangements.  And the bass and bluegill should be on fire by Thursday, May 29, when we'll have a float tube and bank trip to Dixon Lake in Fort Collins.

Clune goes big at club's May 6 outing at Lon Hagler

We have a new leader in the clubhouse.

Jim Clune caught a 22" Rainbow from Lon Hagler Tuesday morning, measured and witnessed by Jim Roode.

Jim's rainbow is almost 92% of the Master Angler Award, the criteria used by the club to determine the winner of our year-long big-fish contest.  

Currently in 2nd place is Tom Boesh with a 17 3/4" rainbow at nearly 74% of the Master Angler Award.

Keep em comin.

Club contributes to Chilson Pancake Breakfast success

Let's all thank the many club members who pitched in at this year's Pancake Breakfast and Plant Sale at Chilson Senior Center.  Together we sold plants, bused tables, cooked and cleaned up afterward.

The breakfast is an annual fund-raising event that supports senior activities and helps the club meet our obligations to the senior center for our use of Chilson facilities.

Tom Miller, left, Karol Stroschein, Barbra Ding and Jim Clune do warm-up exercises before the arrival of customers

Dottie Bechtel, left, and Barbra Ding at the plant sale.

Harry Chase and cutlery duty.

Carter full; Horsetooth at 88 percent

This from Kara Lamb, Kara Lamb, Public Information Officer, Bureau of Reclamation:

On Monday, May 5, we will stop pumping water to Carter Lake. Carter is about 98% full and ready for the season.  Colorado-Big Thompson Project water that was going up to Carter will now go to Horsetooth. Horsetooth Reservoir is about 88% full and its water level is still rising.
Boat ramps are open.