Um, change in plans for Boyd

One problem with being retired. Is, you kind of lose track of time, even holidays. Linda just asked me, “ Fishing Wednesday? We have to be at the neighbor’s party...” sorry gang, go as planned. If you can, but I’m having to wait till Thursday. Same time and place, 8:30 a.m. in northwest corner of Marina Inlet. Join me if you can.

Let's pound Boyd Wednesday!

The ice is solid, and the Marina Inlet is a zoo today with anglers who must have gotten ice fishing gear for Christmas. Fish are biting. Let's meet at the northwest corner of the inlet about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

If you don't have an annual pass and want to save $9, drop me a note and we can drive in from my house. Click here. I just have a hand auger, which ought to work fine, but gas or electric welcome.

Club funding CPR training

The Loveland Fishing Club Board has approved funding of CPR training for club members whose dues are paid for 2020. Non-members may also attend at a cost of $10.

Following is a list of attendees for the two classes. Others wishing to attend should contact Ray Park, rapark63@comcast.net

Thursday January 16, 2020        9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

John Gwinnup  Charlie Higgs Dick Hunsake 

Wayne Baranczyk  Dave Johnson  Steve Cadler 

Ray Park  Tom Boesch  Don Knudsen 

Terry Gibbons Rick Golz Vicki Tesar 

Kathleen Barker Karol Stroschein  Arnie Stroschein 

Dan Barker  George Mayes         Harlyn Ripley 

Thursday February 12, 2020         9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

George Kral Skip Kral Ken Kesterke 

Terry Kinyon Bill Prater Doug Money 

Gene Speidel Norm Engelbrecht Dennis Carder 

Bob Ray Dan Chrouser Dave Boyle 

Allan Jones James Baxter Jim Roode 

Barbra Ding

Slow, but some nice trout Wednesday on Lake John

For the second trip in a row, the wind stayed calm and the ice stayed solid on Lake John for Loveland Fishing Club stalwarts. Pat Weller notched this fat female.

I think this tactic only works with clear ice...

Looking for a warm place to fish?

Well, good luck with that around here. On the other hand, there are a few spots with open water around here and at least a few trout to merit your attention.

The dock on the marina inlet of Boyd Lake is still standing in open water, and the lake was heavily stocked a month or so ago in anticipation of a January ice fishing derby. You might also want to look at the Recycle Pond in Loveland, where aerators keep the water open longer than other local waters.

Also, Charles Piche reports having good luck with good-size trout on the south end of Carter Lake, which seldom freezes over. He's thinking the water on that end is a bit warmer than elsewhere.

Good luck and good fishing.

Reminder: December meeting/gift exchange is 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17

We'll have coffee and cookies, and a limited agenda. Plan on bringing a new, wrapped gift valued at around $10 for the gift exchange.

Our January meeting will be a week earlier than normal, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14.

A seasonal reminder on what keeps us all friends

We don’t talk politics in the Loveland Fishing Club.

You won’t find this rule in our bylaws, but it is a guideline that has allowed our randomly chosen, wildly opinionated seniors to harmonize for nearly two decades.

With an average age approaching 80, it’s not that we lack strong opinions. It’s just that we collectively choose not to air them in situations where discussion should be on trout, bass, or scheduled hip replacements.

Tom, Dennis, Jim and I have known each other well enough, long enough, to realize we don’t agree a damned bit about most things political. But in nearly 20 years of really close acquaintance, I don’t recall a single cross word between us. Like a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary, we know exactly which buttons to push to annoy one another; we just choose not to push them. Similarly, I just returned from a harrowing one-day ice fishing expedition to Colorado’s North Park, involving a snowy, six-hour round trip through the mountains.  On that memorable expedition, Norm, Rick and I talked about every damned thing except anything remotely to do with topics that dominate the national news. The radio was never tuned to CNN or Fox; when it was on at all, the dial pointed straight to Willie Nelson.

Has your spouse taken away your access to the TV remote? After your most recent, disastrous Thanksgiving Day discussion with in-laws, did you vow to enter the priesthood, or take up mindfulness meditation? Well, you don’t have to devote the rest of your life to contemplating your navel; just shut up and fish. You cannot ponder elections or impeachments or likely public hangings while paying close enough attention to the tip of your ice fishing rod. Or looking online for sales on Z-man plastic grubs.

So. Don’t talk politics in the Loveland Fishing Club. Or your mahjong group, or almost any social gathering where members are drawn together by something other than mutually agreed to, shared political obsessions. If, over time, you somehow learn you share political beliefs with someone else, great. Go to the corner of the room, away from the rest of us. Or create a distribution list for like-minded fanatics. Just don’t use a shared love of fishing or recommended hemorrhoidal ointments as an opportunity to convert other anglers to your political passions. You won’t change their opinion on any topic except whom to invite on the next fishing trip.

Don’t do it. This is arguably the single most powerful suggestion for remaining friends in unfriendly times. It’s an impressive insight, if I say so myself. The late Mr. Rogers of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, one of the gentler humans to ever grace this planet, could only narrow his list of rules to three:
1. “The first way is to be kind.
2. The second way is to be kind.
3. The third way is to be kind.” 

Scheels Ice Fishing classes/seminars Dec 9 and Dec 14

Monday, December 9, 2019 at 6 PM – 8 PM MST

Johnstown SCHEELS Ice Fishing 101 Seminar

New to ice fishing? Just because the water freezes over doesn’t mean your fishing season is over. Some would say it just gets better. Join Colorado Parks and Wildlife at the Scheels store in Johnstown to learn how to get started ice fishing. We will cover gear, safety, tips, and some place to go. This is a free seminar.

Sign up for this Ice Fishing 101 seminar led by Colorado Parks and Wildlife at SCHEELS to to get started ice fishing! We will cover gear, safety, tips, and some place to go.

SCHEELS Training Center

Cost: FREE

Please register at: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/135717

All ages welcome.

 Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 10 AM – 4 PM MST
Johnstown Scheels Ice Fest

Come join us for an Ice Fishing Fest! Learn new techniques from local ice fishing experts, build your fishing network, and enter for a chance to win great prizes!

***SEMINAR SCHEDULE***

10:00AM - 12:00PM

“Icing Lake Trout, Basics to Advanced Tactics”Led by Fishing With Bernie Pro Fisherman, Bernie Keefe

12:15PM - 1:00PM

"The Advantages of Bio Bait vs Standard Plastisol"

Led by Bio Bait

1:30PM - 2:30PM"

”Ice Fishing The Front Range"

Led by local Pro Fisherman, Brad Petersen

2:45PM - 3:45PM

"Striking Walleye Tips & Tricks"

Led by local Pro Fisherman, Barry Cundiff

*Seminars will be in our Training Center located on the second floor near the fishing shop/second floor bathrooms (go in the west doors, turn right past the registers, go up the stairs and to the right).

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS

We will be offering exclusive discounts on Ice Fishing gear during the event!

REGISTER TO WIN

Gift cards, fishing trips, and more!

COST: Free

REGISTRATION: None required.

AGES: All ages welcome.

First ice on Lake John

Things got a bit dramatic Thursday on Lake John, when Rick Palmieri and Bill Prater's blissful pursuit of a few fat trout was interrupted for a good 10 minutes by Norm Englebrecht's battle with an obese 21-inch cutbow.

Everyone ended the day on a high note, with a few fat, healthy fish to talk about at breakfast or to eat at dinner.

Norm's cutbow

For a  Youtube video on Norm's cutbow, click here.

Rick and friends

Nebraska Ice Fishing Trip for Northern Pike Jan 10, 11, 12

Howdy,

This trip is only a month away so if you're wanting to go call Norm (970-685-0566) or see him at Friday breakfast.  There's room for ten people and we have five for sure and maybe eight already signed up to go. Club members get preference. We'll leave Friday, Jan 10 and return on Sunday, Jan 12. Once we know who's going for sure we can all meet and figure out the logistics and go from there.

If the ice is not good or if weather does not permit safe travel the trip will be canceled or rescheduled. 

From Loveland (287 and I-25) it's about 250 mile away. (See map below) More than a few club members have been at this place before and caught some large Northern Pike. It's a fun trip. Photos are not club members but you get the idea.

You have to bring all of your own food, the closest place to eat is about 30-35 miles away. That's a long round trip. Everything you need to cook is available where we stay.

Cost is $50, which includes both nights lodging, whatever food you bring and sharing the cost of fuel with whoever you ride with.

Ice Fishing Tournaments Scheduled in North Park (Delaney Buttes, Lake John and Cowdrey Lake)

For those of you interested in tournaments there are two for Ice Fishing in North Park. January 11-12, 2020, which is Saturday and Sunday, at Lake John and Cowdrey Lake. $75 for largest fish taken every hour. $1000 grand prize. Entry fee is $30
On February 1, 2020, Saturday, there will be a tournament on North, South and East Delaney Buttes Lakes. That will also have $75 for largest fish every hour and a $1000 grand prize. Entry fee is $30 as well.
Prior registration by email, northparkchamber@centurytel.net , or register at Moose Creek Cafe.

Dee update! Steadily getting better.

Since breaking her right pelvis a month or so ago, Dee Mikulak is making steady progress toward recovery. Pat reports she is now getting around with a cane. We all wish her a speedy recovery.

Annual Nonresident Wyoming Fishing License

For those of you that want to extend your geographic fishing area and want to include Wyoming a Nonresident Annual Fishing License costs $114.00. The daily fee is $14. That means if you go more than 8 times or do a few multi day trips you should buy an annual license. You can also purchase a Nonresident Five (5) Day license for $56.00. Anyone under the age of 14 can fish for free.

One nice thing about the annual license is that it is good for a calendar year from the date you purchase it just like a Colorado State Parks Pass. My license for this year expires on 31 Dec 2019. The annual one I purchased today has a start date of Jan 1 2020 and expires on 31 Dec 2020 so they basically appended the current one which is exactly what the Laramie Fly Shop told me would happen when I spoke with them last week.

Happy fishing,
Rick

Maybe last chance for 2019 open water! Let’s go fish Monday

The way this fall is going we could have a blizzard by Thursday. So let’s hit Rivers Edge on Monday.

The bite has been good early, so think about sucking it up and be on the water around 8:30. Take your choice, Dragonfly, Bass Sandpiper, Jayhawker, on the bank or in your float tube. I for one will be on Jayhawker.

T

A busy day on a quiet pond...

So there I was, on a peaceful unnamed pond showing Wayne Baranczyk how it's done, landing and of course bragging about my huge 21-inch rainbow. Unfortunately, he countered an hour later with a whopping 23 inch rainbow, after a fight from a float tube that went on about 10 minutes. I've not posted a video here before, but let's see how it looks.

https://youtu.be/dPZ_RIvBzEc

Kelsey lands a whopping big largemouth

Dennis Kelsey hauled a 4-inch bluegill out of Loveland's Dragonfly Pond on Oct. 25 - which doesn't sound like such a big deal until you hear he traded that little panfish for a 22 1/2-inch largemouth bass.

"I hooked the bluegill behind the dorsal, dropped it in and waited," Dennis recalls. "I didn't have a landing net, so I had to get down on my back and finally landed it."

If my math is correct, that big bass measured 114 percent of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Master Angler criteria for a largemouth, 18 inches, which puts Dennis in contention for a finish near the top of this year's Loveland Fishing Club Angler of the Year award.

It may also put him in contention for recognition as Loveland's Toughest Angler. I for one would have given a bag of Gulp Minnows to watch him gamely thrash around and then return to fishing getting back to that walker of his...

Shower your way toward winter toughness

Time magazine this week has an intriguing article on ways to acclimate your body to the arrival of cold weather. Back in the 1960s, Time reporter Markham Heim says, Army researchers found that naked men who spent eight hours a day in a 50 degree chamber became habituated to the cold. They had mostly stopped shivering after two weeks. (It didn't say what happens to naked women, but presumably it works for them, too.)

Another study in 2014 persuaded another group of healthy men to spend up to three hours a day sitting in baths filled with 57 degree water. At the beginning of a 20-day study, they did a lot of shivering and complaining, like  Dan Barker when the Loveland Fishing Club persuaded him to try ice fishing. But by Day 20, the men's shivering had pretty much stopped. While their metabolisms and heart rates still sped up in response to the cold water, their blood vessels no longer constricted and their skin temperature didn't drop the way it had at first. Apparently their bodies got used to the chill.

So you too can stop whining about a little Colorado cold.  Apparently, the typical response to this week's cold - raising temperatures around home or work, and eating a lot more - prevented our bodies from becoming more cold resistant and made us more likely to watch more fishing shows on TV. So, starting today or tomorrow, turn your thermostats down by a few degrees and peel off a few layers of clothing. And start watching TV while naked. And here's the best trick of all:  cold showers!

Basically, anything that causes you to shiver will help your body acclimate to winter temperatures.  Army researcher John Castellani suggests starting with a quick, cold shower - say 15 seconds - and adding 10 seconds to that every day. You can turn up the water temps once you've endured the icy water. If you bring yourself to shiver a few times a day, after just one week you'll begin feeling more comfortable in colder temperatures.

So that's it! The club didn't need to scrub this week's North Park trout trip after all; maybe we could have just slept in the truck until that Walden's minus 7 degree temperatures warmed toward more positive numbers. 

I, for one, can't wait for motivated anglers to try this out and report back to we gentler souls.

Let's go fishing Thursday

Okay, we know the following things about this week's Loveland weather:

• Most of the ponds around here have at least a thin ice cap. I went by Rivers Edge ponds today. They do not. All 3 are open, and I for one have cabin fever. 
• The cold snap appears to have finally killed off most of the algae that's plagued all 3 ponds this summer and fall. Visibility is better than it's been since June.
• It's supposed to be sunny tomorrow, with temps rising to a scorching upper 30s, winds a measly 3-4 mph.

So let's go fishing! I suggest Dragonfly, around 11, bring your Gulp minnows and maybe a few Ned rigs. I'd also wear boots; there's going to be a quick meltdown, and it'll be muddy.

Searching the web for product information often reveals good sites to look at

Howdy,

Boats are put away and cleaned up and Ice fishing will start soon. I've been looking for Electronics to use through the ice this year and being a real fishing novice I look to others in the club and do my own research as well using the internet. As often is the case there are too many choices and information overload is a real possibility. 

In one of my journeys I discovered ICAST, the "International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades". ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, is the premier showcase for the latest innovations in fishing gear, accessories and apparel. ICAST is the cornerstone of the sportfishing industry, helping to drive recreational fishing product sales year round. Every year there are hundreds of exhibitors and like SEMA (have to be a car guy to know what that is) there are best of show winners and runner ups for multiple categories each year. Here are the 2019 winners that you can review during the cold weather. 

https://www.icastfishing.org/2019-new-product-showcase/

Best of Show Winner

Garmin, and its Force™ Trolling Motor, has won “Best of Show” in the ICAST 2019 New Product Showcase.

The Force™ Trolling Motor was selected from the 29 “Best of Category” winners announced Wednesday night, July 10, during the New Product Showcase “Best of Category” Awards Reception, sponsored by SiOnyx. Garmin took top honors in the Boating Accessories category.

Best of Category Winners

Best of Category – Boating Accessories – Garmin USA
Product: Force™ Trolling Motor

Best of Category – Boats and Watercraft – Hobie
Product: Mirage ProAngler 14 with 360 Drive Technology

Best of Category – Eyewear – Costa Del Mar, Inc.
Product: WaterWoman

Best of Category – Footwear – Frogg Toggs
Product: Skipper

Best of Category – Giftware – 13 Fishing 
Product: Fillet Table Beverage Management System

Best of Category – Lifestyle Apparel – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Yurei Air-O-Mesh Performance Shirt

Best of Category – Technical Apparel – Cold Weather – Simms Fishing Products
Product: M’s G4Z® Stockingfoot Wader

Best of Category – Technical Apparel – Warm Weather – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Overboard Submersible Shorts

Best of Category – Ice Fishing – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Product: Ice Helix 7 Chirp GPS G3N All-Season

Best of Category – Cooler and Bait/Storage – Plano Synergy
Product: Frabill Magnum Bait Station 30

Best of Category – Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools – Bubba
Product: 110V Electric Fillet Knife

Best of Category – Electronics – Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Product: MEGA 360 Imaging

Best of Category – Fly Fishing Accessory – Simms Fishing Products
Product: Dry Creek® Z Sling Pack

Best of Category – Fishing Accessory – American Tackle Company
Product: MW20 Finesse Set

Best of Category – Fishing Line – PowerPro
Product: Moon Shine Braid

Best of Category – Kids’ Tackle – Anything Possible Brands
Product: The Bumblebee by ProFISHiency

Best of Category – Tackle Management – Plano Synergy
Product: Plano EDGE

Best of Category – Terminal Tackle – Rapala
Product: VMC Bladed Hybrid Treble Short

Best of Category – Freshwater Soft Lure – Lunkerhunt
Product: Phantom Spider

Best of Category – Saltwater Soft Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Slow-Roll Shiner

Best of Category – Freshwater Hard Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Erratic Shiner

Best of Category – Saltwater Hard Lure – LIVETARGET
Product: Flutter Sardine

Best of Category – Freshwater Reel – Shimano
Product: SLX DC Baitcasting Reels

Best of Category – Saltwater Reel – Shimano
Product: Stradic FL Spinning Reel

Best of Category – Fly Reel – SEiGLER Reels
Product: SF (Small Fly)

Best of Category – Freshwater Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Mojo Bass Glass MGC72HM Rip N’ Chatter Rod

Best of Category – Saltwater Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Avid Surf VSS80MMF

Best of Category – Fly Fishing Rod – St. Croix of Park Falls
Product: Imperial Salt IS908.4

Best of Category – Rod & Reel Combo – Lew’s Fishing 
Product: Lew’s Mach Smash Baitcast Combo

2019 Runners Up 

Best of Category – Boating Accessories – Lowrance
Product: Lowrance Ghost Trolling Motor

Best of Category Runner Up – Boats and Watercraft – Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc.
Old Town Topwater 120 PDL

Best of Category Runner Up – Eyewear – Smith Optics
Product: Redding Sunglass with new ChromaPop Glass Green Mirror Lens

Best of Category Runner Up – Footwear – Huk Performance Fishing
Product: HUK Mako

Best of Category Runner Up – Giftware – Garmin USA
Product: Garmin MARQ™ Captain

Best of Category Runner Up – Lifestyle Apparel – Hook & Tackle
Product: Iztapa Performance Fishing Shirt

Best of Category Runner Up – Technical Apparel – Cold Weather – AFTCO/American Fishing Tackle Company
Product: Women’s Reaper Technical Fleece

Best of Category Runner Up – Technical Apparel – Warm Weather – Striker Brands
Product: eVolve Rainwear

Best of Category Runner Up – Ice Fishing – Fish Monkey Fishing Gloves and Gear
Product: Fish Monkey Yeti Premium Ice Fishing Glove

Best of Category Runner Up – Cooler and Bait/Storage – Wyld Gear
Product: The Wyld Gear Dually Cooler

Best of Category Runner Up – Cutlery, Hand Pliers or Tools – KastKing
Product: KastKing Spartacus Knives

Best of Category Runner Up – Electronics – Garmin USA
Product: Garmin ECHOMAP™ Ultra 126sv

Best of Category Runner Up – Fly Fishing Accessory – Yakima Racks
Product: DoubleHaul – Rooftop Fly Rod Carrier

Best of Category Runner Up – Fishing Accessory – Scotty
Product: 111 Kayak Fishing Starter Pack

Best of Category Runner Up – Fishing Line – Rapala
Product: Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon

Best of Category Runner Up – Kids’ Tackle – Anything Possible Brands
Product: Steinhauser Green-Splat Pocket Combo

Best of Category Runner Up – Tackle Management – BUZBE
Product: COLONY 28 Modular Tackle Management System

Best of Category Runner Up – Terminal Tackle – The Catch Company
Product: Googan Squad The Juicee Jig

Best of Category Runner Up – Freshwater Soft Lure – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Berkley PowerBait The Champ Minnow

Best of Category Runner Up – Saltwater Soft Lure – A Band Of Anglers
Product: Nat’ Shrimp

Best of Category Runner Up – Freshwater Hard Lure – Yo-Zuri America, Inc.
Product: 3DB Pencil

Best of Category Runner Up – Saltwater Hard Lure – Savage Gear Americas
Product: 3D Octopus

Best of Category Runner Up – Freshwater Reel – Daiwa Corporation
Product: TATULA ELITE

Best of Category Runner Up – Saltwater Reel – 13 Fishing
Product: Inception SZ

Best of Category Runner Up – Fly Reel – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Pflueger Supreme Fly Reel

Best of Category Runner Up – Freshwater Rod – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Abu Garcia Virtual Rod

Best of Category Runner Up – Saltwater Rod – Shimano
Product: Shimano – Terez Rods

Best of Category Runner Up – Fly Fishing Rod – Temple Fork Outfitters
Product: Axiom II-X

Best of Category Runner Up – Rod & Reel Combo – Pure Fishing, Inc.
Product: Ugly Stik Carbon Baitcast Combo

Dan catches Colorado's fattest fish

Trolling for walleye at Boyd Lake a few weeks ago, Dan Barker felt a tug and then hauled in the butterball white bass below, a whopping 19 3/4 inches.My math may be faulty, but I think that's 116.2 percent of the Colorado Master Angler criteria for white bass.  Too bad he didn't have a scale, as this is one obese fish. The catch should put him at the top of the heap in competition for this year's Angler of the Year award.

If you can't afford a new 20' Lund and don't want to paddle or use fins try one of these to get across the lake in a hurry

SEADOO FISH PRO,

https://www.sea-doo.com/watercraft/sport-fishing/fish-pro.html