Show time! Bat Show, Sportsman's, Fly Fishing show this month

Three large outdoor events - the Denver Fly Fishing Show, Boat Show and Denver International Sportsman's Expo -- are coming in January.  The fly fishing show and boat show are both January 6-8 and ISE is January 12-15.  

Here's a link to Denver Boat Show.
Here's a link to http://flyfishingshow.com/denver-co/
And here's Denver International Sportsmen's Expo

Ice on! Terrific day of fishing at Dowdy

Wednesday was the first day of ice fishing season for the Loveland Fishing Club, and each and every angler who made the journey to Dowdy Lake caught a mixed bag of at least 20 rainbows and brown trout. Unfortunately, that was only Dave Boyle and Bill Prater -- but the two of them steamed up the ice, with pretty much nonstop action during the three-hour outing.

Dave with the first fish of the 2016-17 season.

They found about 7 inches of solid ice, calm, snowy conditions - and not another angler on the lake. Here's Dave, with the first fish of the ice fishing season.

We could have wished for a better turnout, but next time we'll give more warning.  Just a great day to be out before the cold settles in again.  

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First ice fishing of the season! Wednesday, Dec. 13 at Dowdy

Short notice, but the cool gang is heading to Red Feather Lakes Wednesday to pester the first fish of the ice fishing season.  If you want to join us, meet at the K-Mart parking lot at 8 a.m.

Bring your ice cleats, as the lakes are reportedly very slick.   

Ice fishing tournament again in 2017 at Boyd Lake

For the third straight year, Tightline Outdoors is hosting an "Ice Addiction Tournament at Boyd Lake.  It's be Jan. 7, and the entry fee will be $40, with more than $15K in prizes and cash to be given away.  Time and other details to come.

Last year they pre-drilled more than 400 holes in the ice just east of the jet ski ramp; few fish reported, but they had great prizes.  Here's a link to the Tightlines website:  http://events.eventzilla.net/e/ice-addiction--boyd-reservoir-2138868682?resp=on&dateid=2138734113

Boyd is just the closest tournament to Loveland; others will be scattered throughout the season and throughout the state.  Here's a link to the schedule:  http://icefishingcolorado.com/alltournaments.htm

While the rest of us watched fishing shows and football...

Pat Weller was taming this beautiful rainbow at Twin Buttes.  He reports using "a fly rod using an egg pattern.   Very windy and cold wading!"

Holiday meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 20

As always, no formal agenda for the December.  We'll run over the possibilities for club officers, head for the cookies and coffee, and then have our annual gift exchange.

Remember, if you want to participate, get something (new) for about 10 bucks, and wrap it up but don't put your name on it.  We have a kind of raffle to decide who gets to pick first.

Add caption

Okay, it's nearly December, and the ice fishing season is nearly upon us.  Probably a week or two away in the high country; I just saw the post below on http://fishexplorer.com.

I suggest we hope for a continued cold spell, and maybe run to Dowdy or, even higher, Chambers Lake, in a week or so.  We can get the ever-optimistic Norm Englebrecht to go onto the ice fish to check for thickness, and maybe Merle to check for slippery...

Anyone been out to River's Edge or elsewhere this week?  Bill

11.26.16 from: Eric9375
Hiking in the area and stopped by Dowdy. There is thin ice on the West side and in the coves. Open water more in the middle (I didnt check by the dam). Punched through with my spud bar measuring 1/2-3/4 inch by the shore. A good cold spell week and it should be ready. Be safe out there! Bring all your safety gear including a buddy.

Mark your calendar: Nov. 17 for Bruce's!

Okay, nearly time for one of our most popular Loveland Fishing Club trips - Bruce's, for all-you-can eat Rocky Mountain Oysters.  Other deep-fried delicacies also available.

Norm Englebrecht is organizing the trip.  Most of us are carpooling; meet by 11:30 at the Orchards King Sooper's parking lot off 287 and 29th.

Directions:  Take I-25 to Harmony Road in Fort Collins (38E toward Timnath) and head east about 7 miles to Severance.  Look for Bruce's on the left.  Norm's been taking names of planned attendees.

Senior Derby volunteers

I just edited this photo to send to Mike Scheber and thought others might like a copy.  You should be able to download.  Just right click with your mouse and then choose save.  Bill

Meetings set for review of plans for Horsetooth, Pinewood, Carter and Flatiron

                                                                                                    

Planning for the Next Generation

Larimer County is embarking on a plan that will guide the future management of the County Reservoir Parks and The Ranch Events Complex.

Through a simultaneous effort, Larimer County will be completing The Ranch Events Complex Master Plan and the Larimer County Reservoir Parks Master Plan/ Resource Management Plan update. 

Public open houses will be held from 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm at the following locations:

• Wednesday, November 16, 2016, Chilson Center, Large Meeting Room, 700 E. 4th Street, Loveland
• Thursday, November 17, 2016, Larimer County Courthouse, Hearing Room, 200 W. Oak Street, Fort Collins

More information can be found on the county's website, http://www.onegreatcountytoplay.com/

Fishing Derby pond partially drained for storm water project

The Duck Pond at North Lake Park has been drastically lowered in preparation for new storm water pipes running under 29^th Street, but Loveland Parks and Recreation is hoping to have it refilled before the 2017 Loveland Police Kids Fishing Derby.

David Bothel, Loveland Parks and Public Ground Supervisor, said the pond still has more than 12 feet of water at its deepest point, and the release of water “was over a period of time through a smaller drain in the bottom of the overflow tower to help minimize fish loss.” 

Bank fishing Monday, Oct. 17 at Riverbend, Fort Collins

The club's finest anglers will be meeting at 10 a.m. Monday in the parking lot of Riverbend Ponds on the northeast side of Fort Collins (see map), weather permitting.  We may go to another nearby pond so call Bill after 10 at 970-988-9174.  The ponds hold a variety of warm water fish; we'll be trying for whatever swims there.  Bring your lawn chair.  

Help with our booth at the Oct. 29 Halloween Fun Fair

One of the most popular booths at the annual Halloween Family Festival is the club's fishing game, and your help is needed.

We get together between 8 and 9 a.m. for setup, and the costumed kids stream in from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Karol Stroscheim is organizing our booth, and looking for help throughout the morning.  See her at breakfast for signup, or contact her with the hours you'd like to work.  

The festival is in the parking lot just south of the Loveland Museum, 5th and Cleveland.  

Restoration underway at Pella Crossing open space

Work has begun to rehabilitate Pella Crossing, a popular Boulder County open space property west of Longmont extensively damaged in the September 2013 flood. 

Prior to the flood, Pella Crossing's ponds offered some of northern Colorado's best bass and bluegill fishing.  Crews from Fischer Construction Inc., the Weld County-based company that is Boulder County's general contractor for much of the project, have started the reconstruction that's scheduled to continue through the fall and winter and be completed next spring, according to Boulder County's Parks and Open Space Department.

Pella Crossing, which lies on either side of North 75th Street south of Hygiene Road, has been one of the few county parks to remain closed since floodwaters surged in the St. Vrain River corridor three years ago.
To see the entire Boulder Daily Camera article on the restoration, click here.

Leland takes top honors at annual club tourney

Leland Carpenter put together a four-fish string of rainbows totaling 45 1/4 inches at Flatiron Reservoir Wednesday, to earn the grand prize at the annual Loveland Fishing Club tournament.

Richard Radies, left, Pat Mikulak and Leland 

Pat Kikulak finished second with a 44.5 inch string of four.  Leland also caught the biggest fish of the day, while Richard Radies took the prize for smallest.

Rick and friend

A trip this week to Wheatland Reservoir brought together Rick Haskell (in the red) and a 23 1/2-inch rainbow that weighed in at 6 /12 pounds.

Club tourney Is Wednesday

Mark this on your calendar:  8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, September 21, the date for the annual club fishing tournament, the one time a year when we toss aside our traditional spirit of non-competition and travel to Flatiron Reservoir to decide the club's top angler.

It's free, and includes a free lunch and the possibility of a cash prize, so expect a good turnout.  OUr cook will be last year's winner, Dennis Kelsey.

Here are directions and other information about the lake, a part of Larimer County Parks and Open Space.  The county charges a daily entrance fee, so if you don't have a sticker, be at the southeast corner of the K-Mart parking lot to carpool with someone who does.

Prizes for this fourth-annual event will be awarded for biggest fish, biggest stringer, and second-and third-biggest stringer.  The limit on trout is four. There's no wading and no boating, and we can only fish with one pole at a time.  And you can only use one lure or hook at a time - so if you must try worms, corn and Gulp! simultaneously, bring a big hook.

Today's Fishing Lesson

As something of a local legend, I am often asked, “Bill, why are you arguably known as the Loveland Fishing Club’s finest bluegill angler?”

Great day of fishing at the club's 2016 Senior Derby at Flatiron

An early chill briefly threatened the sixth annual Loveland Fishing Club Senior Derby at Flatiron Reservoir, but the sun emerged and so did nearly a hundred anglers, most from Loveland and Fort Collins assisted living and independent living centers.

Fishing was a bit slow, but no one seemed disappointed by the day of fishing, picnicking and gathering around a warm campfire. Here are a few memories of the day - and for complete photo coverage, visit Bill's Google Photo site, https://goo.gl/photos/Wi9sb9iDhdp4WWMs8

Club volunteers at the 2016 senior derby!

Bob Ray, seated, one of the club's founding organizers, was a guest angler this year, and here's one of the three trout he caught for the day.

Karol Stroschein presents the blue ribbon and medal for oldest female angler to Ruth, 102, of Brookdale Mariana Butte.

Boat launch hours cut at Horsetooth

It's become a sure sign of fall - Larimer County has reduced the hours of operation at the Satanka boat ramp after Labor Day.

Beginning Tuesday, the ramp will only be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Sunday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  (and Friday and Saturday hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. after Sept. 22.

Hours at Horsetooth's South Bay and Inlet Bay ramps - and the north ramp and south shore ramps at Carter Lake, will continuu to be 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until winter sets in.  The North Pines ramp hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.  

CO Youth Outdoors plans volunteer orientation

If you're volunteering at SWIFT Ponds or thinking about it, CYO has a volunteer orientation planned for 530 to 7 pm on Tuesday at the education building on the grounds north of Windsor. See Dave Boyle for details.

Volunteers will be needed for Sept. 24 Chison Harvest Bazaar

The annual chili/soup and pie sale, along with sale of crafts and produce, is set for 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.

Club members will be needed to help with cooking, setup, cleanup and other duties for this Chilson Senior Advisory Committee fund-raiser.  We'll have a signup sheet prior to the event.  For more information, contact Karol Stroschein.  Here's a link to the Chilson website.

Update on Tue, Aug. 16 picnic

Received this from Tom Boesch, who just returned from trip out of the country.  Please bring a salad, side dish or dessert based on your last name (see below).

He'll be at breakfast Friday at Perkins if you have questions.

"I spoke briefly with Merle on Saturday and he said that John Gwinnup agreed to be responsible for grills and charcoal and he does not have on-line sign up but to plan for same number as last year.

So I will plan for about 60 people as last year 53 signed-up

I will have steak, chicken, hot dogs, soda, water, ice, and paper & plastic items. Last year I spent $703.00 for these items and assume budget is about the same--meat price is the largest variable

Again we will need a few extra coolers for soda and water

I would like someone to organize tables to separate salads, sides/hot dish and desserts--last year Karyol & crew took that responsibility

Tom Miller did the corn

This year the rotation is: A-H  Dessert

                                             I-N  Side/hot-dish

                                             O-Z  Salad

I am open to suggestions and modification and plan to be at the breakfast on Friday at Perkins."

Tom Boesch  

Volunteers needed at Swift Ponds in July and August

Dave Boyle, our liason with Colorado Youth Outdoors, reports CYO is needing volunteers to help with a variety of youth fishing and other outdoor activities at Swift Ponds in July and August.  If interested, contact Brad Wright, CYO program coordinator, at 970-663-0800, e-mail bwright@coloradoyou.org. The CYO website is http://coloradoyo.org/ 

Colorado Youth Outdoors July August Volunteer Calendar, Swift Ponds

• Monday, July 18 – Foothills Gateway, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m; about 30 disabled youth, mostly in wheelchairs
• Friday, July 22- McDonald Financial Fishing Derby, 8:30-11:30 a.m. fishing derby for younger kids and their parents/grandparents.
• Friday, July 22- Hopeful Hearts Activity Day, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., fly fishing and archery
• Saturday, July 30-CYO Safari (10-plus volunteers needed), 8:30 – 2:30
• Friday, Aug. 5-CYO Trap Shooting Venture, 8-4 (10-plus volunteers needed)
• Saturday, Aug. 20-CYO Archery Venture, 8-4.

Carp Fest is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Boyd Lake

Okay, I have acquired a can of sweet corn, some Berkley Gulf fake sweet corn, and a jar of Uncle John's strawberry and oats carp bait, so be prepared to be beaten Tuesday evening or to beg me for a few kernels.

Let's meet at the inlet between Heinricy and Boyd - at the entrance, turn right and go past the campground to the small parking lot.  Jim Roode swears this is the hot spot for carp, and I saw some there myself over the weekend.  The lake is high and we can easily fish the inlet from a lawn chair.  We can also migrate over to the Heinricy side once we spook the big ones in the inlet.

I recommend long pants and mosquito repellent.  First prize:  whomever catches the biggest gets to also keep my carp!  See you there.  Bill

Boyd Lake Carpfest! Possible Carpfeast to follow

Okay, the cool gang will be meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday June 28, at Boyd Lake Marina inlet for a evening of hot carp fishing.  This is a change from the initial plan for River's Edge discussed on the club's Facebook page.  

This discussion began this week when Dennis Kelsey pondered, "You know, the club may be missing out on some really good fishing. None of us deliberately fishes for Carp..." 

He's right, of course, and it's been a half century or more since most of us tossed dough balls or canned corn into a muddy pond searching for a big old carp.  Time to pull out the old Zebco.  I understand techniques have changed a bit since then, so if anyone has suggestions, they'd be welcome. I for one will start with one pole intended for carp, another for channel cat.  Be there or be left behind.  

Big Thompson fish kill

Here's part of the Reporter Herald's lead article today on a fish kill back on March 7.

BIG THOMPSON CANYON

City: Water supply not threatened

Thousands of fish die between Drake and Loveland after exposure to chemical

BY SAJA HINDI

Reporter-Herald StaffWriter

Despite state wildlife agency reports that more than 5,600 fish died last month in the Big Thompson River upstream from Loveland’s water treatment plant, city officials stress residents’ drinking water remained safe.

Colorado Parks andWildlife officials confirmed Wednesday that a significant fish kill occurredMarch 7 on the Lower North Fork of the Big Thompson and mainstream Big Thompson River from Drake downstream to the canyon mouth in west Loveland.

WATER

from page 1A

Initial reports of fish kill from residents launched a multi-agency response, and Parks and Wildlife officials said when they found out it was limited to rainbow and brown trout, suckers and dace, the agency started investigating its cause and extent.

Officials said that while they are still analyzing the fish kill and its cause, it seems that chemicals from concrete work on the County Road 43 project and replacement of Storm Mountain Road bridge went into the water, dramatically increasing its pH levels.

“To date, the project, which is slated for completion in late summer 2016, has replaced multiple bridges and constructed grouted ... walls along many sections of road and river without issue. Unfortunately, site conditions, weather, soils, topography and other factors at the Storm Mountain bridge created conditions that allowed movement of chemicals from concrete to enter the stream, causing a dramatic increase in pH … which when moving downstream sickened or killed fish in its path,” the news release stated.

Darrick Turner, senior environmental specialist for the county, and other county staff members, after hearing from residents of the fish kill, followed up with construction crews but found that the crews’ environmental mitigation practices were in compliance at the time.

Now, if it'd just stop snowing ...

Boat ramps at Horsetooth and Carter reservoirs will open for the season on Friday, April 1, so all Larimer County waters should be accessible.

Not all ramps will be open immediately.  Here's the schedule:
Carter - north ramp open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week
Horsetooth - South Bay and Inlet Bay ramps 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week; Satanka ramps only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.  Zebra mussel inspection will be available only during those hours.

Boyd has already opened for the season, and no inspection is required at Lonetree, Boedecker or Lon Hagler.

Mark your calendar: Ice fishing Thursday!

Okay, it's supposed to snow early this week, and get ridiculously cold, so we don't know exactly where we should go fishing next.  We are pretty sure about when:  Thursday!

If the weather allows, we're thinking of North Michigan Reservoir, a couple hours west on highway 14 just over Cameron Pass, or perhaps stop short of that and try Barnes Meadow.  If there's too much snow in the high country, we'll do St. Vrain State Park just east of Longmont, or Lon Hagler.

Any preferences?  Drop BillP a note.  Watch for an e-mail or an update on the blog for more information.

"Ice Addiction" tourny at Boyd Saturday, Jan. 9

Boyd Lake will host an ice fishing tournament on Saturday, Jan. 9, with $3,000 cash for the winner and a total of $10,000 in prizes between cash and gear.

Interested?   The event is sponsored by Tightline Outdoors and Clam.  Last year's tournament was heavily attended, but fish were pretty scarce.  Here's a posting from Tightline Outdoors Facebook.

With the Boyd Lake Ice Addiction event just around the corner here are a few commonly asked questions....

It's $40 a person to enter, the heaviest single fish caught will win $3,000 cash. There will be over $10,000 in total prizes between cash and gear and over 20 places. Anglers can weigh up to there legal limit of each species. The event runs from 8am to noon, check in/registration opens at 5am. Once you are checked in you are welcome to go on the course and pick your hole. The reason we pick a course and pre drill the holes is to ensure a fair fun event that makes angles rely on skill and not knowledge of the lake. We predrill just to keep everything evenly spaced out. There are random giveaways every few minutes and our Ice Addiction girls will bring your prize to you on the ice. Mr Heater provides a a large warming tent on the course to warm up. We also provide FREE coffee and Johnsons Corner cinnamon rolls to everyone! There is no age limit but all anglers must be able to hook, land, and weigh their own fish.

We currently have good ice conditions at Boyd and the event is scheduled to run as planned. You can always call our event hotline at 720-775-7770 to get up to date information and hear of any changes.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the event!