Ice fishing tournaments at Boyd, Lake John

Tightline Outdoors is again sponsoring several "Ice Addiction" fishing tournaments, including Boyd Lake on Saturday, Jan. 10, and Lake John/Cowdrey Lake on Jan. 11-12.

There's a $2,500 cash first place prize for Boyd, and $1,000 at Lake John.  The entry fee is $35.

No auguers or ice huts are allowed; they'll pre-drill the holes.  For more information, click here, Tightline Outdoors.  The event is organized by Nate Zielinksy's Tightline Outdoors, with sponsorship by Clam.

Any interest out there in ice fishing?

Temperatures are falling, and there's a tenuous ice cap on Boyd Lake's Marina Cove, though I for one wouldn't test that one for awhile.  Some club members have already tried the Cameron Pass lakes with some success, and Dowdy's supposed to be fishing pretty well.  Anyone want to go drill some holes next week?

Stocky volunteers needed

Your lame duck president got some new, Dave Harem-recommended ice picks for Chistmas, and would be willing to stand by in rescue mode while someone else tests the surface of questionable water.  I'm particularly wondering how close Douglas might be to fishing-ready, or maybe Dowdy or Lake John.

If you're interested, lemme know.  Bill

Merry Christmas!

My time as club president has nearly come and gone, with Lou Colton poised to take over the reins while I, uh, go ice fishing.

For all my complaining about club members' veracity and occasional lapses in basic hygiene, I must admit I truly love hanging with you good folk.  We've had our occasions of sadness and disappointment this year, but we've also done very good things together, spectacularly well.  I can't wait to see what we do in 2015.  I'm looking forward to an extremely good year here in northern Colorado.

Happy holidays, friends,
Bill Prater

Bill Hamlin's recovery featured in Loveland Reporter-Herald

We all knew Bill had a rough time recovering from his heart attack suffered in September, but the full story of how his life was saved by woman's CPR is detailed in the Dec. 12 Reporter-Herald.  And it's another feel-good story involving our friends with Loveland Fire Rescue.

Jackie Burgstahler, left, Bill Hamlin, his mom Frances and sister Sharon Lundt, right, stand with Loveland Fire Rescue Authority personnel as they applaud Burgstahler during a ceremony for her Thursday at Hillcrest Senior Living for helping to save Hamlin's life in September. (Saja Hindi / Loveland Reporter-Herald)

A link to the full article can be found by clicking here.

For your review: proposed slate of club officers for 2015!

The nominating committee is recommending Merle Boden as Loveland Fishing Club Vice President in 2015, in line to assume the job of president in 2016.  Current VP Lou Colton will become 2015 club President, effective after the annual dinner in January.

Barb Ding is recommended to continue as Treasurer for another term, and Charlie Higgs as Secretary.

"Merle is one of the club's most active anglers year-around, and a great leadership choice for the club," says outgoing President Bill Prater.  "And Barb and Charlie continue to do an outstanding job keeping our club running smoothly."    As immediate past president, Bill Prater will continue as a voting member of the board for one year and serve as Sergeant-at-Arms - the bouncer at monthly meetings.  

These names will be formally presented to the club at the December holiday meeting, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, and the club will be asked again if anyone else is interested in being considered for the positions.  A vote will be taken at the January meeting at the Chilsen Center, 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. (NOTE:  original date was announced as Jan. 23.)

Appointed positions for 2015

As president-elect, Lou appoints a variety of other leadership positions. They are:

John Grady, Volunteers of America

Raffle Chairs:  Rick and Kathleen Haskel, succeeding Tom Miller

Program Chair:  Bob Scott, succeeding John Gwinnup

Webmaster, Jim Roode, succeeding Bill Prater

Publicity, George Kral

Government Affairs, Jim Roode

Kids Fishing Derby, Larry Seib

Senior Fishing Derby, Ray Park

Banner Keeper, Dennis Kelsey
Historian:  Skip Kral

Activities and Inventory Chair:  Open.  We need a volunteer to track club activities including trips and special events, and to inventory club assets maintained at Colorado Parks & Wildlife offices near Lon Hagler reservoir.  Some computer knowledge helpful.  Interested?  Contact Lou Colton, who has served as activities chair for several years.