Bad idea: dropping “comments” again

Well, we tried. When we started this blog several years ago, we included the ability for readers to comment on posted articles, a way to let members voice their opinions. Stopped it when the only comments we got were from trolls and spammers. Tried it again last week when Google introduced some new spam controls. Still getting comments only from bozos apparently attracted by some kind of financial or erotic plan. So, dropping comments again.  If you want to communicate with club members, use our private facebook account. If you’re not signed up, send a request to Jim Roode.

Really cool jig fishing tip

Okay gang, I am sharing a link to one of my favorite YouTube videos, from Richard Gene, the Fishing Machine, a crazy old Southerner who really knows how to fish and is a kick to listen to. I just tried his suggestion for keeping soft plastic crappie jigs to stop slipping off jig heads, using dental floss.  I used some 1/32 oz. minnow heads and trout magnets, but don't see why it wouldn't work just as well for a larger swimbait or a grub. What he does is wrap dental floss a couple times around the shank of the hook and ties it off with a granny knot before super gluing it to the jig.  (It's easier if you use a fly tying vice, and for me the best kind of super glue to use is been Loctite Gel. Doesn't get all over your hands as badly) The floss lets the glue really set up tight against the hook, so it doesn't slide up and down.  I've tied up half a dozen in different colors, and plan to tie up a bunch in advance before spring, so I can kick your butts on the water.

If you're using a Ned rig, I don't think the dental floss trick is necessary.  I started super gluing those too, last summer, but with the flat bottom of the jig head you can get a good tight bond with Z-Man plastics without going to the trouble of using the floss.

Anyway, here's the link.  Let me know what you think.  (By the way, you can comment on this blog now; I'll see if we can do it without attracting too many spammers the way we did in creating the blog a few years ago.

https://youtu.be/cXqIPXWbk-4

Angler of the year

Yes, Dan Barker caught the biggest bass of 2017.  Okay, and the biggest walleye of 2017.  And because of that, he was the Loveland Fishing Club Angler of the Year.  I'm not one to brag about another angler, but even I will concede this old boy should have been our Angler of the Year even if he'd only caught carp, like Norm.  Never seen another fisherman so delighted when someone else caught a fish, or actually worked any harder to help them do it.  I for one won't be overly annoyed even if he wins the danged tournament again in 2018.  But it really is time for someone outside the Barker household to win this thing again.  So start recording your catch, from now through year-end, in line with the criteria in the article below, Angler of the Year Winners, and 2018 rules...

Angler of the Year winners - and rules for 2018 competition

Dan Barker was declared the club's "2017 Angler of the Year," after logging not one but two Colorado Master Angler-class fish, according to tournament chair Jim Roode.

Dave Boyle placed second in the year-long competition, judged by a fish's percentage of Colorado Parks and Wildlife Master Angler criteria for the various species.  He tallied a 17 1/2-inch smallmouth and a 17 1/2-inch white bass.  Norm Engelbrecht earned third place with a magnificent 30-inch carp, 100 percent of Master Angler qualification for that noble species.

Barker turned in a 27 1/4-inch walleye (104 percent of Master Angler minimum size) and a huge
20 3/4-inch largemouth, 115 percent of Master Angler minimum.

Rules for the competition

This is a year-long tournament that runs January 1 through Dec. 31. First, second and third-place pins, patches or plaques will be awarded at the 2019 annual banquet, and Angler of the Year's name will be added to a permanent plaque. Jan 1 to Dec 31.1st, 2nd and 3rd place pins and/or patches or Plaques will be awarded at the annual banquet in January. Winners name will be placed on a permanent Plaque.

• Eligible Fish - Any fish caught in the state of Colorado that is listed on the Colorado Master Anglers List.
• Winner is the fish which is the largest percentage of a Colorado Master Anglers fish.
• All Colorado Fishing regulations apply. Snagging not allowed except if the fish was 
• accidently snagged in the course normal angling using commonly acccepted angling procedures and equipment.
• Entries must be submitted to the record keeper (currently Jim Roode) in writing within 30 days of the catch.
• Entries require picture or witness verification.Fish caught on a Professional Guided trip do not qualify.
• Entries will be allotted time at Monthly Meeting to discuss their catch.
• Prizes will be awarded at the annual banquet in January.

Acquatic nuisance inspection fee legislation has been introduced

No real surprise here; a bill has been introduced in the Colorado legislature to impose a $25 annual fee on all boat owners to pay for acquatic nuisance inspections, $50 for out-of-state.  Here's a link to the bill:  http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb18-1008  There's a hearing set on the issue for Monday Jan. 22 at 1:30 pm at HCR 0107.  If you've got an opinion on this, share with your state representative.

Not sure why they can justify a $50 fee for out-of-state boaters; surely they're going to be using our lakes less than residents, and doing this is almost certain to get a hefty charge for out-of-state inspections in neighboring states. 

I've seen nothing yet about a more pressing issue:  the need to increase license fees for fishing to stop further deterioration in our fishing opportunities.    

Get ready for a ripping good Raffle

 

John Gwinnup is starting off his tenure as raffle chair with a bang, promising more than two dozen great raffle prizes at the Friday, Jan. 19 annual dinner including special drawings for lady club members and guests.

"Tell everyone to get out their wallets," John advises.  Even the club's best-known cheapskates should be ready to take part in this one.  Raffle tickets will be $1 each, or 6 for $5.  One of the special five ladies-only raffle drawings is free.  

Club turns out in big way on fish habitat project at Bass Pond

Jim Clune fires up generator.

Arnie Stroschein, left, Dave Boyle and Jim Clune.

About 30 Loveland Fishing Clubs members and friends, working with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Loveland Open Lands, volunteered Wednesday on a project to improvement fish habitat at Bass Pond in Rivers Edge Natural Area.  Coverage of the event in the Loveland Reporter Herald can be found by clicking here.  Photos by George Kral.

Tom Miller, left, cooked up the volunteer project.

Sportsmen's Roundtable set for Wednesday, Jan. 24 in Fort Collins

Just got the following from Walt Graul.  Among other things they'll be discussing the badly needed license fee increase.  Please try to attend.  

Northeast Region Sportsmen’s Roundtable in Fort Collins Jan. 24 DENVER - In a continuing effort to provide hunters and anglers with opportunities to comment about a variety of wildlife management concerns, Colorado Parks and Wildlife formed the Sportsmen's Roundtable in 2012. The roundtable consists of elected and appointed delegates from each of the state's four wildlife management regions.  They meet regularly at the regional level to collect input from constituents. The input is then presented to Colorado Parks and Wildlife's leadership at the statewide Sportsmen's Roundtable meetings, held twice each year. The next Northeast Region Sportsmen's Roundtable caucus will be held at 6:30 p.m.,Wednesday, Jan. 24 at the 2733 Council Tree Ave, Fort Collins. The meeting will take place in Community Room C. The agenda for the meeting will be as follows: Update on CPW Future Generations bill  Discussion on Commission issues of concern including the new “pay later” draw process, shed hunting closures, Habitat Stamp fund usage in 2018, CWD test results from 2017 seasons Spring turkey hunting behaviors presentation by Walt Graul Open forum discussion In addition to voicing their opinions at regional meetings, members of the public can contact their local representatives directly at any time. Regional Sportsmen’s Caucus meetings are open to participation by any hunter or angler who has an interest in the region. The meetings can include any number of participants; no active hunter or angler will be excluded from the discussion. For more information about the Sportsmen's Roundtable, go to http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Roundtable.aspx Who: Northeast Region Sportsmen's Roundtable What: Regional Caucus meeting When: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 24 Where: Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave, Fort Collins Contact: Jennifer Churchill (303-291-7234 or jennifer.churchill@state.co.us)

Ice Fishing tourney cancelled at Boyd

The Tightlines Ice Addiction tournament planned for Boyd Lake on Jan. 20 has been cancelled due to poor ice conditions.  A similar event is now planned for Eleven Mile Reservoir.

January is a good month for indoor outdoor activities

It's showtime here in the shadow of the Rockies for a slew of outdoor shows. 
The Fly Fishing Show is going on this weekend at the Denver Mart, at the corner of I-25 and 58th Avenue; website http://flyfishingshow.com/denver-co/

Next weekend is the International Sportsmen's Expo at the Colorado Convention Center.  Here's a link to their website.

There's a steady diet of seminars and demonstrations going on at fly shops and sporting goods stores this time of year; for example, our friends at Elkhorn Fly Shop have weekly fly tying demonstrations, and I see they have a serious sale going on.  Click on https://elkhornflyrodandreel.com/

Ice fishing tourney at Boyd is Jan. 20

The frigid frenzy known as the Boyd Lake Tightline Outdoors Ice Addiction is returning to Boyd on Saturday, Jan. 20, with as many as 1,000 anglers expected.

If interested, you should probably register ASAP, as this contest draws a serious crowd.  Pre-registered tickets are $45; tickets on the day of the event are $55.

Fishing is from 8 a.m. to noon and the pre-drilled holes are first come-first served.  The lure is some serious prizes, including an ATV for first prize.  They also have free cinnamon rolls and coffee, which in the past has lured even Norm Englebrecht and Tom Miller onto the ice as spectators.

For more information, and to register, click here.  

Okay, who's ready to go fishing. And where?

So, I was thinking about those freshly stocked trout in Boyd Lake - kinda small, but gullible, like a few club members who shall remain unnamed.  An inspection of conditions there today revealed half a dozen scattered anglers in the marina inlet - and about 4 inches of kinda questionable looking ice.  I know that's supposed to be okay - but I'm a Southern Illinois boy, suspicious of ice under the best of conditions.  And some club members, impressed by my ice fishing expertise, have a dicey habit of rushing to my hole whenever I get a bite.  And some of us weigh down the ice a bit more than we did in our youth.

Which leaves us, with Front Range forecasts near 50 degrees for the coming week, with several enticing options:

1. Open water angling at Carter Lake.  Anyone been there lately?
2. The high country.

If Dave Harem were still with us, you know he'd have been dragging us to Red Feather Lakes long before now, high winds or not  I'm sure the ice is solid by now, and it's only an hour or so down the road.

There's also Joe Wright or maybe North Michigan, a couple hours' drive up highway 14.  Or an overnight trip to Lake John.  Anyone done that yet?  In the mood or a trip to Walden, say Monday and Tuesday?  We have the Rivers Edge rehab project set for Wednesday.

With the short-term forecast calling for pretty warm temperatures down here, I'm thinking Dowdy on Monday - or North Michigan if someone else is ready to get their gear out.

Let me know if you're interested by clicking here.  Or let's keep the conversation going on the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/LovelandFishingClub/  Not signed up for the secret club Facebook page?  Send a note to Jim Roode.

Fly Fishing Show is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 5-7

The annual Fly Fishing Show is set for this coming Friday-Sunday at the Denver Mart, located at the junction of I-25 and 58th in Denver.

Tickets are $15 at the door; kids under 12 are $5 and under 5 is free.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. 

For more information, here's a link to their website:  http://flyfishingshow.com/denver-co/

Sportsmen's Expo coming up, Jan. 11-14

This is the big annual event for folks getting cabin fever, held at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street in Denver. 

Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 11 and 12th; 10 am. to7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.  Tickets are $14; watch for discount coupons.  Talk amongst yourselves about carpooling. 

Here's a link to the Expo website:  http://www.sportsexpos.com/attend/denver/