Paddleboard restrictions proposed on State Wildlife Areas

 Those with an interest in fishing Lon Hagler, Boedecker and other Colorado State Wildlife Areas should weigh in on this:  Colorado Parks and Wildlife proposes to update its definition of a "vessel" on state wildlife area waters to restrict boating to "those being used for fishing and/or hunting." In other words, no more paddleboards! No dogs, either, except ones that are actively hunting. And no operating a vehicle or bicycle off roads within state wildlife areas.

If you want to offer your opinion on this and other proposed changes to State Wildlife Area regulations, by May 24 share your thoughts in the feedback section of this link: https://engagecpw.org/hub-page/state-wildlife-areas

Here is the primary explanation given for the proposed change: 

"Over the last 7-8 years State Wildlife Areas (SWA) use has dramatically increased, causing a corresponding rise in negative impacts on wildlife and wildlife related recreation. In December 2019, the Area Wildlife Managers, in consultation with CPW staff managing the SWAs, began analyzing what negative impacts were occurring and coming up with ideas and solutions to these problems. SWAs are areas purchased with money from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and equipment. SWAs are purchased for a number of reasons, the primary one being to conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat needs. A secondary benefit is providing areas for wildlife-related recreation (hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching). 

"When not in conflict with the prior purposes, SWAs also provide opportunities for other forms of recreation. Because SWAs are acquired using federal funds, if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determines that a state agency has “lost control” of a property by allowing non-compatible uses, the state agency is required either to regain management control of the lands or replace such lands with lands of equal values and equal benefits as those originally acquired, or the license revenues must be restored to the State agency."

Here's a link to the full proposal: https://engagecpw.org/general-provisions

Jim Barborak lands yellow perch of a lifetime!

 Jim visited a private pond in Larimer County recently, and landed two massive, Colorado Master Angler-size yellow perch on the same outing. He thought for awhile that one set a new state record for the species, but it was a few ounces shy. Here. Let Jim tell you the story:

"I had a banner day fishing today. Fishing with a Johnstown fishing buddy, we went to a private pond in Larimer County.  I knew there were big sunfish in there, having caught some greens over 9 inches last year, and I was hoping to get one big enough for a master angler certificate.  Instead, I caught two perch that qualified.  The smaller was a respectable 13 inches, but the bigger one, which hit a rooster tail two-hook spinner bait in perch color, was a whopping 16 inches long.  This is over 2 inches over both the length of the state record perch by weight, and over two inches over the newer catch and release state record. 

"Not having a reliable scale in the field, I visited the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office in Fort Collins, where a fisheries biologist had to certify the species, but then to see if it was a state record by weight, I had to find a place with a certified scale that would be willing to weigh it and testify to its weight.  This proved to be very difficult, as several places with state certified scales I contacted said because of health regulations they could not weight it.   

"Finally at a parcel store they did weigh it. Unfortunately, it was over 8 ounces under the state record perch by weight (only 2.05 pounds). But still, a great day fishing and two Master Angler certificates earned, and the knowledge that I caught the perch of a lifetime that is two inches longer than both current state records!"

Way to go, Jim. Here are photo records of his memorable catch:

This one weighed a smidge over 2 pounds!

Mark your calendar: Kids Derby is Saturday, June 3!

The Loveland Kids Fishing Derby is one of the club's cherished traditions, and your help as a volunteer will be both fun and greatly needed. 

This year's event for kids under 15 will be 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3rd at the North Lake Park Duck Pond. To volunteer, e-mail the club's Derby Chair Rick Golz at rickdgolz@gmail.com We need all hands on deck.

 Organizers besides the club are the Loveland Police, Loveland Kiwanis Clubs that provide low-cost food and drink, Colorado Fraternal Order of Police with their free kettle corn, Colorado Youth Outdoors to teach participants how to clean, cook and eat their fish, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which stocks the pond with catchable trout.

Donate some equipment to the youngsters

New this year, organizers are asking club members to look in their tackle boxes and closets for hooks, sinkers, bobbers, baits and other equipment they'd like to donate to individual young anglers. Should be new or slightly used. You can bring what you have to a Friday breakfast, or bring to the May 16th club meeting at Chilsen Center. 

Rick says the club will again handle event registration, tackle for kids who need it, measurement of fish and free raffles. In addition to prizes in raffle drawings throughout the competition, we'll provide prizes for biggest and smallest trout caught.

Rick takes photo of John Gwinnup
with 2022 Derby raffle winner

Volunteers needed for Colorado Youth Outdoors' Maverick fundraiser, May 5-6

 Dave Boyle, the club's liason with Colorado Youth Outdoors, reports CYO is again lining up volunteers for its Maverick sport shooting fundraiser at Sylvan Dale Ranch. It's a fun event the club has supported for years.

The Maverick Fundraiser draws teams of CYO supporters who pay for two days of shooting sports at Sylvan, in a major fundraiser for the youth outdoor education group that operates Swift Ponds near Windsor,.

Club volunteers run shooting sport stations on Friday the 5th, or help in other ways.

For more information about the event and ways you might help, contact Dave davnanboy@aol.com or by phone, 970-218-3645.