Ladies and Gentlemen, prepare to start your engines. Boating season is upon us

Boating is expected to officially resume on Boyd Lake Sunday, March 1, conditions permitting.  Right now those conditions seem to point to a later start.

Aquatic nuisance inspectors are scheduled to be on duty beginning at 8 a.m. to check boats for zebra mussels prior to launch.

Other state wildlife areas such as Lone Tree and Lon Hagler remained open through the winter, with boaters expected to ensure their craft is clean, drained and dry before and after use.  

At Larimer County's Horsetooth and Carter Lake, boat ramps are expected to reopen the last week in March.  Let's all hope for a quick warmup. Meanwhile, who's ready for an ice fishing outing?  We can talk about it at breakfast Friday.  

Danged heat wave has melted our pike lake! Nebraska trip scrubbed

Plans for a northern pike expedition to north central Nebraska have been dropped, victimized by this cursed run of spring-like weather.

About 10 of the club's most renowned anglers had signed up for the trip, scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday.  The ranch manager will give Norm a call if ice reappears.

Meanwhile, there is talk of a day trip somewhere closer to home.  Any suggestions?

Club members urged to attend Thursday, Feb. 12 meeting on Big Thompson Canyon

Larimer County and the City of Loveland will be taking public input on the processes that will be used for the new Big Thompson Canyon Conservation and Recreation Plan.
The meeting will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Thompson School District administrative offices, 800 S. Taft Ave.
Walt Graul and Jim Roode will be there representing the club, but they could use some allies interested in restoring fishing and public access to the canyon.
"This is the first meeting whereby Larimer County will take public input and discuss their process for developing the new plan," says Walt.  "It is critical that they receive input from the public stressing  interest in fishing access and other wildlife interests. Ultimately this plan can impact what areas are maintained and/or acquired for such access -  including parking areas, etc. This is our chance to have a positive impact upon what happens in the canyon."

The extreme flooding in September 2013 caused extensive property damage and loss of significant economic, riparian, aquatic, and scenic resources.  Nearly all of the highly popular public recreation facilities in the region from Estes Park downstream were obliterated, including parks, picnic areas, fishing access, and trailheads.  This meeting may be a first step in setting priorities for the rebuilding.  

N Michigan ice fishing moved to Thursday, Feb. 5

The prospect of snow, cold and wind is leading us to delay the planned North Michigan Lake trip to Thursday.

We'll meet as planned, 8:30 a.m. at the southeast corner of the K-Mart parking lot off Eisenhower, and carpool.  It's about a 2-hour drive, up highway 14 past Fort Collins.  For more information, contact Bill

The Club is heading for N Michigan Wednesday

Okay, the cool gang will be meeting at the K-Mart parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and carpooling west for ice fishing at North Michigan lake, scene of a highly successful outing last month.

It'll be a day trip; just bring your gear and lunch.  No McDonald's or Starbucks nearby.  The lake is in the Colorado State Forest, west of Cameron Pass up highway 14.

For more information, contact Bill Prater.