Might want to bring shorts and sunscreen to Horsetooth Tuesday...

Things are looking promising for Tuesday's trip to Satanka Cove.  Forecast up around 70 degrees.

I've had several folks ask what to use; no guarantees this time of year, but the good thing about trout is, they're one fish that remains reasonably obliging in cold water.  Most of us will likely go with Power Bait fished on light line Texas rig.  Not sure how snaggy it is around the boat ramp.  I'll probably give drop shotting a try also, probably with a small Berkeley minnow imitation.  I've had a little luck with smallies on a feather jig down at the Marina Inlet in cold water, but never this early in the season.  Let's see if we can catch a few.  

Remember, 8:30 a.m. at K-Mart to carpool.  There's a $7 day use fee at Horsetooth.

Looks like north end of Horsetooth, Tuesday, Jan. 27!

The cool gang is looking ahead next to  Horsetooth next, fishing from the bank off next Tuesday, weather permitting, off the Satanka boat ramp on the lake's north end.

We'll meet at 8:30 a.m. at K-Mart, and carpool.  For more information, such as what to fish with at Horsetooth at the end of January, contact Bill.  Watch this blog and the club calendar for updates.

Change of plans: Let's do Dowdy Thursday

Okay, our original plan to ice fish the ponds at St. Vrain State Park are falling victim to warm winds and temperatures in the '60s.  Talked to park staff Monday and she reports the ponds are likely to be off limits starting Wednesday.  Ice is still about 5 inches, but receding from the bank, which makes old Ozark boys like me nervous.

So:  let's do Dowdy Lake (about 50 miles northwest of Fort Collins, 287 to Red Feathers Lake Road, about 20 miles west to the little town of Red Feathers).  Meet in the K-Mart parking lot at 8:30 a.m. to carpool, or drive up and park on the lake's northwest edge by the bathrooms.

Bring your ice cleats; I suspect the snow's all melted and the lake's going to be slippery.  Any of the usual trout baits should work fine.

Questions?  Contact Bill. 

Dottie Bechtel, who'll be relocating to Indiana, holds up a surprise farewell shirt inscribed with the names of  Loveland Fishing Club friends.  The shirt was the creation of Mike Scheber.  The club also enjoyed a cake in her honor, from Ray Park. Photo by George Kral

2014 Old Plogger is Karol Stroscheim!

The Old Plogger Award, presented annually by the outgoing club president, goes to Karol Stroscheim for her outstanding support of club activities in 2014.  Former club secretary, Karol helped organize several club events for kids, played a strong role in the Senior Derby and with husband Arnie hosted a highly lauded picnic at her home near Flatiron Reservoir.

Carol with 2014 Club President Bill Prater.

Fishing Club founders at annual dinner

Eleven of the Loveland Fishing Club's original membership were recognized at Friday's annual dinner at Chilson Center, and shared a surprise moment with Dottie Bechtel, who'll be relocating to Indiana.  With her, from the left, are Dave Harem, Norm Englebrecht, newly installed President Lou Colton, Walt Graul, Jim Clune, George Kral, Bob Roelofsky, Skip Kral, Tom Miller and Bob Ray.  

Tom Garland is 2014 Angler of the Year

Tom Garland, below right, receives his Angler of the Year plaque from tournament leader Jim Roode at Friday's annual Loveland Fishing Club dinner.  His winning largement, taken from River's Edge, measured in at 19 1/2 inches. Mike Scheber was second with another largemouth, 18 1/2 inches, and Dave Boyd came in third with a 17 1/2 inch smallmouth.  

Photo by George Kral

Prater seizes early lead in 2015 Angler of Year contest!

Lame Duck Club President and Web Editor Bill Prater hauled a 20-inch rainbow from an unidentified ed North Park lake on Jan. 8 to move into a solid first place position in the second year of the Loveland Fishing Club's annual Angler of the Year contest.

The big trout easily eclipsed a 17 1/2-incher taken by Dave Harem the previous day at Lake John. Unfortunately for Bill, we have about 50 weeks remaining in the 2015 tourney, so everyone who's paid their 2015 dues have a shot at top prize.  (If you catch a big fish and THEN want to pay your dues, we may throw you in the lake.)

If you want to know who won the 2014 prize, you'll have to show up for the annual dinner, 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at Chilson Center.  The contest is based on percentage of the Colorado Master Angler criteria for all listed species.  Bill's rainbow came in at about 83.3 percent of the length needed for Master Angler consideration, but he ate it anyway.

They're going to drain Antero this summer

Got back from fishing the high country to find this posting on Channel 7 News website.  Should we put on our warmest gear and head to Antero before they drain the place?

PARK COUNTY, Colo. - Antero Reservoir will be drained this summer to finish work on the century-old dam.

Because of the draining plans, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will raise the fishing limit to eight trout, with no size restrictions, starting Saturday.  Water levels won't be completely restored until 2018.  When the reservoir level recedes, CPW staff will conduct a salvage operation below Antero Reservoir, as fish migrate out of Antero Reservoir.

The salvaged fish will be relocated to other Park County waters.  Click here for a link to the complete article.

You know what they say about any day on the water...

Okay, great day at Douglas Reservoir - sunshine, reasonably balmy temperatures, solid ice and good companionship as about a dozen of the club's stalwarts stomped onto the ice on the second day of the New Year.

Still, it would have been nice to have brought in a fish or two, just to familiarize ourselves with the species.  We'll get 'em next time.

Barb Ding, ready for a fish ... 

Barb Ding, left, Dennis Kelsey and Norm Englebrecht await the arrival of spring.  Photos by Dan Barker.