McHale wins 2023 Club Derby

 

When the mud had settled Tuesday, Bob McHale wound up the club's 2023 Derby Champion at Flatiron Reservoir, with a string of four trout measuring 49 inches. Wayne Baranczyk was second, just behind with 46 3/4".

 Bob's name will be forever enshrined on the derby trophy, and he'll earn $50 to buy more bait. Wayne takes home a $25 prize. The fishing got better Tuesday as the day wore on, as water slowly refilled the reservoir.

It was a great day on the water, organized by Vicki Tesar, followed by a  banquet of leftover but still nutritious and tasty hotdogs from the Senior Derby. To view a few more photos of the event, go to the club blog, http://lovelandfishingclub.blogspot.com.

To see more photos of the derby, that you can also print and download, click the following link to the Google Photo Album:  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2Fv2N72dwKGmNA418

Bob McHale, left, with Wayne Baranczyk

Dennis Kelsey, with one of the prettiest views in northern Colorado

Club's annual Derby will be Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Flatiron!

Flatiron Reservoir is the new home to more than 3,300 freshly stocked rainbow trout, promising strong competition at this year's annual contest to determine who's our finest angler.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon at the reservoir, site of the club's Senior Derby last week, followed by a celebratory picnic.

Okay, fishing kinda sucked at the club's Senior Derby. But Derby Chair Vicki Tesar says the lake never received its promised fall stocking until this week. Fishing next week should be spectacular, or at least darned good.. The contest has been a club tradition since 2007, and last year's winner was Ken Kesterke, who earned his name on the club's traveling trophy plus $50. Second place went to Dennis Kelsey, who took home $25 along with bragging rights.

There is no entry fee, but we'll be expected to measure and witness each other's catches. If possible, bring a tape measure, a notecard or two, and a pencil. There is an admission fee to the Larimer County park, so if you don't have a permit look for Bill Prater or other carpoolers at the Jax parking lot west of Wilson and U.S. 34 no later than 8:30.

Here are the rules: 

• No wading or boating (not allowed on Flatiron anyway)
• One pole
• One hook or lure or fly
• The winner will have the biggest stringer of trout, up to the legal limit of four. You can keep what you catch or catch and release. Crawdads and suckers may be caught, even bragged about, but they won't count toward your total.
• All kept or released fish meant to enter the derby must be officially measured and witnessed by another club member - who needs to legibly write the length of each fish on a card along with their initials. This is why you should bring along a tape measure. Note the time of your first catch: it may be needed in the unlikely event of a tie. 

The first prize winner will have their name engraved on the traveling trophy, and gets to keep it until the next Club Derby. Your Mama would be proud. 
This story will also appear on the Loveland Fishing Club blog, http://lovelandfishingclub.blogspot.com

 

2022 winner Ken Kesterke, left, with second-place finisher Dennis Kelsey

If there's sufficient interest, second fish hatchery tour possible

 Vicki Tesar this month set up what proved to be a popular visit to the Bellvue-Watson Colorado Parks and Wildlife hatcheries near LaPorte. Didn't make it, but interested? Contact Vicki by phone or e-mail. If there's sufficient interest she'll set up a date next month. 

The hatcheries are among 19 in the state that breed, hatch, rear and stock more than 90 million fish each year.   The Bellvue-Watson Hatchery & Rearing Unit is a cold-water facility that raises rainbow trout, rainbow/cuttrhroat hybridgs, cutthroats, splake and brown trout. Watson raises about 300,000 catchable trout each year and Bellvue annually raises about 1.5 million sub-catchable trout. 

They've found rusty crayfish in Lake Grandby; here's what that means

 This from Colorado Parks and Wildlife: 

Rachael Gonzales Northwest Region Public Information Officer 970-773-8587 / rachael.gonzales@state.co.us Twitter: @CPW_NW CPW announces discovery of Rusty Crayfish in Lake Granby

GRAND LAKE, Colo. - Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces the discovery of rusty crayfish in Lake Granby, south of Grand Lake, Colorado.   Multiple crayfish were found at Lake Granby during routine Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) sampling by CPW’s ANS Sampling and Monitoring team near Sunset Point campground, on Aug. 17. Samples were collected by the tam, preliminary species identification was performed at CPW’s ANS laboratory and suspect specimens were sent to Pisces Molecular in Boulder for genetics testing, where the samples were confirmed to be rusty crayfish on Aug. 31.  CPW’s ANS Sampling and Monitoring team and area aquatic biologists set multiple crayfish traps around Lake Granby and other waters in close proximity to determine the extent of the rusty crayfish population in the area during the week of Sept. 11. Sampling traps were left overnight before being collected. Crayfish traps collected from the surrounding lakes did not contain crayfish; however, two traps from Lake Granby did contain rusty crayfish. A trap was set below the dam on the Colorado River in addition to the lakes. No crayfish were found in this trap upon removal. “While this is not the first time we have found rusty crayfish west of the divide here in Colorado, it is the first detection in the Upper Colorado River basin,” said Robert Walters, CPW’s Invasive Species Program Manager. “While finding any invasive species is detrimental to our state’s aquatic ecosystems, finding rusty crayfish in Lake Granby, which feeds into the Colorado River, poses an even greater threat to the entire Colorado River Basin.”  Rusty crayfish were first discovered in Yampa River and Catamount Reservoir in 2009.They are a la​rger, more aggressive freshwater crayfish, native to the Ohio River Basin. The rusty patches on either side of their body can sometimes identify them. They are believed to have been illegally introduced to Colorado by anglers ​​as bait. The public is reminded by following these simple steps, they can prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species in Colorado. Use only bait that is legal in Colorado! Never bring in live aquatic bait from another state. Do not throw unused bait of any kind, back in the water alive. Clean, Drain, and Dry your gear and water craft before heading to the next body of water. Do not dispose of pets or unwanted aquarium plants or animals in natural systems.  “When you follow these simple steps, you’re not just protecting the lake or river you’re recreating in, you're protecting every water body in Colorado,” said Walters. Crayfish of any species are not native west of the continental divide. CPW reminds the public the live transportation of all crayfish from waters west of the Continental Divide is prohibited. All crayfish caught west of the Continental Divide must be immediately killed (by removing the head from the thorax) and taken into possession, or immediately returned to the water from which they were taken.  To learn more about the rusty crayfish and what the public can do to prevent the spread, visit our website.

Reminder: Harvest Bazaar is this Saturday, Sept. 23

 

Senior Derby photos

 Here's a link to a Google Photos album of photos by Rick Golz at Wednesday's Loveland Fishing Club Senior Derby: https://photos.app.goo.gl/82aBuQoSPr9hTHFt6

Trout Hatchery visit

 

Here are photos from Wednesday's visit to Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Bellvue-Watson hatcheries near LaPorte. Club members were guests of the hatchery staff who stock the trout used for the club's Senior Fishing Derby and Loveland Kids Derby, as well as giving us some tasty fish to catch.

The hatcheries are among 19 in the state that breed, hatch, rear and stock more than 90 million fish each year.   The Bellvue-Watson Hatchery & Rearing Unit is a cold-water facility that raises rainbow trout, rainbow/cuttrhroat hybridgs, cutthroats, splake and brown trout. Watson raises about 300,000 catchable trout each year, while Bellvue annually raises about 1.5 million sub-catchable trout.

No good field trip to the hatchery would be complete 
without a celebratory lunch at nearby Vern's.
Photos by Rick Golz 

Loveland Fishing Club Senior Derby will be Wednesday, Sept. 13

 The derby will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13th at Flatiron Reservoir, a Larimer County Open Space property. Volunteers, please be there by around 8. (If you’re helping with setup, be there much earlier.)

Don’t worry if you ‘re able to show up without a specific assigned task; there’ll be plenty to do to make this another memorable occasion for our older fishing friends. 

 

This is one of the club's great traditions, and fun for all. So come on out.

 

The club also works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife taking advantage of their free facility fishing license for participants, and the Division also stocks the lake in advance with trout. We also work with Larimer County to arrange free parking for the event. 

 

Chilson Senior Center joins us in this event, and all seniors 65 and over are welcome and may sign up at Chilson. But the basic goal is to provide a day of fishing for folks who find themselves physically unable to still get out and fish. The event is entirely free for participants, including loaner fishing equipment, a well-stocked lake (temperature permitting), prizes, and a “gourmet” cookout of hot dogs, chips and soft drinks.

  

The derby remains, we think, the nation’s only free fishing derby focused on residents of assisted living centers, run by and for senior volunteers.  

The goal is highly personalized help with fishing, mixed with great conversation.  

Vicki says we have nearly 100 individuals signed up from facilities or through Chilson. 

Let's fish Bellaire Lake together this Thursday, Sept. 7

It is time for members of the Loveland Fishing Club to get together and catch some trout. And a good spot for just about everyone in the club is Bellaire Lake, one of the U.S. Forest Service lakes at Red Feather about an hour northwest of Fort Collins.

The plan is to meet at the lake around 8 a.m. and fish until we're hungry. Bring along a lunch. 

Carpooling is encouraged; for most Lovelanders, a good meeting place is Sunset Vista Natural Area parking lot at the junction of North Taft and 57th Street. 

If you're unfamiliar with this little lake, you're in for a treat. It's only about 10 acres, recently stocked with trout, generally clear and accessible -easily fishable by a path all the way around. It's just a few miles from the more well-known Dowdy and West Lakes, but a bit more hidden and less crowded. There is a close-in spot to launch a float tube or kayak a short walk from the parking lot, restrooms and shaded picnic tables. And there's a paved path down to a boardwalk that runs a hundred yards or so along the south side. It's a good place to fish from shore, dropping off quickly into deep water. 

If you don't have someone to share a ride with, send a note to Bill and I'll let you know who else is looking for company on the drive up. 

Directions: take U.S. 287 north from Fort Collins to Livermore (watch for the Forks gas station and restaurant.) Turn left on County Road 74E (Red Feather Lakes Road). Go about 23 miles, past the road to Dowdy and West lakes, then  left on County Road 162/Manhattan Road. and go about 2 miles. The access road to Bellaire Lake will be on your right. It is a little over half a mile to the lake.

Changing are here in the distribution of Loveland Fishing Club news

 FYI,  we have removed the "Follow.it" gadget from the Loveland Fishing Club blog, which has been sending members a link to the blog whenever something new is posted. Frankly, I suspect we all found it a bit annoying. In exchange for sending us the headline of a story, it would add a bunch of colorful advertising, none of which I was able to review and approve in advance. 

In its place, we will now simply send an e-mail with the complete story or a link to a new blog posting. These will go only to our list of currently paid-up members. If you're currently active, you needn't do anything differently. Anyone else with an interest in club activities can still read the blog directly by going to the blog: http://lovelandfishingclub.blogspot.com (You can renew your annual membership through acting Treasurer Tom Miller, ranger1936@icloud.com; 970-669-3583. 

So unless your membership has lapsed, whenever something new is posted to the blog you will be getting notification in a note like this. And If we're reaching you in error, or you have information (like fish photos) to share with the club, send a note to Bill.

Parks and Wildlife restocking rainbow in Cameron Peak fire area

News release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 

Kara Van Hoose Northeast Region Public Information Officer 303-829-7143 / kara.vanhoose@state.co.us CPW, volunteers help restore rainbow trout population in Cameron Peak fire area

Rainbow trout fingerlings are transferred into a bucket to be released into the Poudre River Aug 31, 2023 CPW, volunteers help restore rainbow trout population in Cameron Peak fire area in Larimer County POUDRE CANYON, Colo – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is restoring trout populations devastated by the Cameron Peak fire and subsequent debris flows by stocking more than 130,000 fingerlings into the Poudre River. CPW aquatic biologists and volunteers from Rocky Mountain Flycasters Trout Unlimited released the two-inch trout across a 25-mile stretch of the Poudre on Aug. 23. In 2020, the Cameron Peak fire burned more than 200,000 acres in northern Colorado and ripped through the Poudre Canyon. With much of the landscape stripped of vegetation, a major debris flow the following year flooded the river with sediment and devastated fish populations. “We conducted our standardized sampling in the fall of 2021 and did not see a single fish for 20 miles downstream of the debris flow,” said Kyle Battige, CPW Northeast Region Senior Aquatic Biologist. “It was a huge blow to the trout species in this area.” In 2022, CPW launched a rebuilding effort in order to take advantage of an aquatic reset and to boost the rainbow trout population with intensive stocking efforts. These stocking efforts have focused on Gunnison River rainbow trout from the Black Canyon, which are resistant to whirling disease. All of the rainbows stocked during the effort were spawned and reared by CPW’s Glenwood Springs State Fish Hatchery. Brown trout are expected to repopulate the area naturally over the next few years. “CPW wants to turn this into a positive situation by specifically targeting the rainbow trout population and helping bring more balance to their numbers in the Poudre Canyon,” said Battige. More than 20 volunteers from Rocky Mountain Flycasters Trout Unlimited gathered to assist in the stocking efforts.  “Our partnerships play an important role in conservation and growth of fish populations. We couldn’t do it without them,” said Battige. “Rocky Mountain Flycasters truly values its partnership with CPW, and this project is a perfect example of what we can accomplish together. I can't imagine a better win-win outcome for both organizations,” said Scott Baily, Rocky Mountain Flycasters Conservation Chair. CPW is committed to rebuilding this important fishery. Biologists will continue to monitor the health of the trout population through field surveys and continue stocking efforts as needed. ### PHOTO CUTLINES: Left: A volunteer with Rocky Mountain Flycasters Trout Unlimited gently fills water into a bucket with hundreds of rainbow trout fingerlings, releasing them into the Poudre River. Right: A CPW Hatchery Technician places rainbow trout into a bucket ready to be stocked. The larger-sized fish give the species a better chance at survival in the area devastated by the Cameron Peak fire.

Share Tweet Share Forward CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.