Loveland Fishing Club Blog

  Each year we pause to recognize the club member who's landed the biggest fish of the year coming to a close. The winning fish is the largest one of any sport species taken from public water in Colorado, as a percentage of the Colorado Master Angler criteria for that species. That can be an enormous carp or a relatively huge bluegill. All entries must be submitted by December 31 to Club Vice President Darrell Knight,   DarrellKnight99@gmail.com  or 1-678-232-2040. The winner will be honored at the January meeting at the Chilson Center. 

  Alert Loveland Fishing Club member Dave Boyle got us all together for a group photo at Tuesday's annual Holiday Party. All together, a very distinguished looking group of anglers. 

There's no formal agenda for the 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17th general meeting. Instead we're having a party and gift exchange.  There'll be coffee and cookies, but feel free to bring something else to share with the rest of the club.  If you forget or choose not to participate in the gift exchange; just don't pick up a gift. Pick out something new f or about 10 bucks. Wrap it up but  don't put your name on it .   See you Tuesday.

  Okay, as promised, here's another look back at life in the Loveland Fishing Club a few years ago. In this case, it's a reprint of the first of the club newsletter, The Forgetful Angler. A number of things have changed since then, to wit: Um, we don't have a newsletter any more; just these e-mail postings that simultaneously appear on the club blog, http://lovelandfishingclub.blogspot.com . We do have a Facebook presence, but don/t use it much. There's also a fond reference below to breakfast at the Widow McCoy's. We don't do breakfast there anymore; if fact, there's no longer a Widow. We do spend about the same amount of time at Friday breakfast somewhere, talking about hip replacements and gall bladder surgeries. And Tom Miller can still stretch a half-hour trip to Fort Collins into an all-day adventure. Enjoy. Bill   First topic:  Why Real Anglers Don't Tweet.    Below is the first of what could be a monthly report on essential club activities.  Your...

That photo posted to the blog last week by Pat Mikulak of the late Norm Engelbrecht sparked Walt Graul to come up with one of his favorites, shown below: eight club members who ventured to Delaney on April 25, 2022 in search of open water and big gullible trout. That's Walt on the right and Jim Roode far left. Jim and Jim Clune started our ice out tradition well over a decade ago.  That's likely our first group venture together after the Covid-19 outbreak pushed anglers and everyone else into isolation.  Note the blue sky:  we should start preparing for the 2025 trip. 

  This is a season where memories can come flooding back. In this case, Loveland Fishing Club's Pat Mikulak is sharing the photo below taken a few years ago at Boyd Lake of the late Norm Engelbrecht, easily the club's most obsessive ice fisherman. Looking at it makes me think of Norm flat on his stomach on the ice, looking down into his fishing hole.   "He was such a good friend and mentor," Pat recalls, adding that the much-customized sled on Norm's left is now one of Pat's favorite possessions. Have any other memories of past seasons that you'd like to share? Send them to me at  billjohnp@gmail.com . Bill 

Following up on our Nov. 22 post, "What shall we talk about until Spring?" following is the second in a promised intermittent series of articles that appeared on the Loveland Fishing Club blog in years past. Remember, this is a reprint; do not show up at the K-Mart parking lot  Tuesday expecting to find: Well, for one thing, the K-Mar t. It's now called  Jax .  And don't look for other eager club members anxious to go fishing. We did that five years ago. I don't recall how this planned first ice fishing trip of 2019 turned out (hey, I'm almost as old as some of you guys). But I suspect we did really well.  (And as for 2024 fishing, know that the Johnstown Scheels Ice Fest is this Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a free ice fishing bucket going to the first 200 attendees. I've not heard from any club members who've ventured out on the ice yet, but Wayne and I did pretty well about a week ago on some open wateer at the Recycle Pond. Bill  First Ice Fishin...

  ​ Remember, there's no planned agenda for the last general meeting of the year, 2 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 17th.In its place:  the annual holiday party!   And gift exchange. President Danny Barker and other club party lovers will ensure we have coffee and cookies, but if you're so inclined and handy around the kitchen, feel free to bring something to share with the rest of the club.  If you forget or choose not to participate in the gift exchange; just don't pick up a gift., so we don't run low on presents  when we get to my name.  Remember, if you want to participate, get something (new) for about 10 bucks. Wrap it up but  don't put your name on it .   We have a kind of raffle to decide who gets to pick first.  Happy holidays, everyone. Bill 

  We'd normally urge you to get out there and fish before the winter ice cap settles over northern Colorado lakes and ponds, but hey, Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. Enjoy the holiday, and maybe think about where to head with the ice fishing season opening soon in the high country. We're blessed to live in a special place. Bill

  Well, there's always ice fishing, too. But a distressing number of Loveland Fishing Club's finest tend to spend our winters huddled around the television set watching Harold Ensley or Homer Circle reruns. If you have a subject you'd like us to cover this winter, let me know, lovelandfishing@gmail.com  Otherwise, consider this the first of a series of  past columns published on this blog over the past two decades. Some names may be unfamiliar, or bring back recollections of members past. If you need a briefing, ask an old timer.  At this Friday's club breakfast, while reminiscing about great old trips of the past, a member with a good memory pointed out that most of our most unforgettable club events don't seem to involve the catching of a lot of fish. I simply note that no one likes a smart ass.  To start this conversation going, following is an article originally posted on March 1, 2011: the first of our ongoing speculations on "Who's Loveland's Tou...

  Register Now for Fall Water Symposium on Oct. 30 at Embassy Suites in Loveland The Northern Water’s Board of Directors and staff would like to invite you to attend our  Fall  Water Symposium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on  Wednesday ,  Oct. 30 , 202 4 , at the Embassy Suites in Loveland. Doors will open at 8 a.m. for check-in and to allow attendees to network.      Northeastern Colorado water users will hear from multiple speakers   regarding  regional water topics .  The  Symposium will include a focus on  the value water provides to  our region and   the importance of  preserving the region’s ba se water supplies  going forward .  Related will be  a forum discussing  the  ongoing  challenges of growth.  Additi o nal  presen tations will include  regional fire impacts to  nearby  water supplies,  the  management of aquatic weeds,  an update on  Co...

  The Loveland Fishing Club has a busy calendar this week, so be ready: Monday, Oct. 14: 9 a.m. Board meeting at Chilson Senior Center Tuesday, Oct. 15: 2 p.m. General meeting at Chilson. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Senior Aquatic B iologist, Kyle Battige will be the featured speaker. Kyle's  He leads the biologists responsible for fisheries across northern Colorado.  Thursday, Oct. 17: 7:30 a.m. Boat Day at Boyd Lake.    If you'd like to participate, contact Club President Danny Barker asap at  danbarker2337@gmail   or 970-302-8965. He'll match up boat captains with anglers needing a ride.  Fishing is followed by a potluck at the state park beach house. The club provides some protein, Danny says,  and "everyone is asked to bring a dish to pass, and whatever you want to drink."  Danny will also bring cold water.

Emergency public fish salvage at Poudre Ponds begins immediately Oct. 3, 2024 Emergency public fish salvage at Poudre Ponds begins immediately  GREELEY, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is announcing an emergency public fish salvage at Poudre Ponds in Greeley effective immediately until October 10. Impending repair work and subsequent draining of the ponds by the City of Greeley may result in a loss of fish, and the public salvage will optimize the fishery resource. The following regulations will apply to  Poudre Ponds  during the salvage: Fishing is only permitted in daylight hours, which is from sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. All anglers must have a valid Colorado fishing license. Size, bag and possession limits at Poudre Ponds will be suspended until the conclusion of the salvage. All legal fishing methods are allowed except for the use of dip nets, seines and snagging. Access is controlled by the City of Greeley. CPW has stocked Poudre Ponds with catchable trout a...

 Rick Golz enjoyed a very good day of fishing at Flatiron Reservoir Wednesday. But Arnie Stroschein's day went even better, hauling in a fat 17-inch rainbow trout to seal his claim to the title of  2024 Derby Champion. Rick was runner up in the event for a second time.  The contest was determined by measuring the biggest daily limit of trout, a stringer of four. Arnie's limit measured 52 1/2 inches, followed by Rick's 49 1/2. Like the club names on the Stanley Cup,  Arnie's moniker will be permanently enshrined on the club's handsome traveling trophy, which he'll keep until next year's derby. He also earns $50; Rick gets $25. (While your Loveland Fishing Club editor, who finished a scant quarter-inch behind Rick, got a hot dog and chips like the rest of the dozen and a half other club members who competed for the title.)  Arnie and Rick also earned the honor of cooking next year's celebratory derby picnic. This year's cooks were 2023 first- and secon...

  Alert readers may guess what happened to Walt Graul during Cindy and Walt's late summer trip to Navajo Reservoir last week. No, it probably wasn't Cindy. It was more likely a great northern pike, also shown below.  They didn't get a measurement on the beast before returning her to the lake. But I'd say it went at least 40 inches, besting the giant bluegill I caught this week (I can show you that one at next Tuesday's club meeting) Anyway, way to go Walt. He reports making his catch while trying for considerably smaller smallmouth, using light spinning gear and a  6-pound fluorocarbon leader.

 It's tradition: a few days after the club holds its annual Senior Derby at Flatiron Reservoir, there will be no-holds barred day of fishing Wednesday to determine the 2024 Loveland Fishing Club Derby Champion. The winner: whomever catches the biggest string of four trout. Second place: uh, whomever catches the second biggest string. Last year's winner was  Bob McHale, with a string of four trout measuring 49 inches. Wayne Baranczyk was second, with 46 3/4".  The Derby Champion will receive a $50 cash prize, have their name inscribed on the derby trophy,, keep the trophy for a year and earn the honor of doing the cooking at this year's celebratory picnic. Second is $25 and the chance to help with the hotdogs. Fishing runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocked the lake recently with more than 3,000 fish, so surely you can catch one. Here are the rules:   Here are the rules:   No wading or boating (not allowed on Flatiron anyway) One pole One h...

We had what's believed to be a record 88 assisted living center guests at Wednesday's derby at Flatiron Reservoir, all of them leaving with a smile. Thanks go to all volunteers who helped make the day memorable, says Derby Chair Bob Dierkes. Covering the event was Loveland Reporter-Herald reporter Austin Flaskes and photographer Jenny Sparks, who's been photographing the derby since its inception in 2011 under the guidance of the 2011 Club President, the late Ray Park. Another special guest, who turned out to be one of our most enthusiastic volunteers for the day, was Bureau of Reclamation Public Affairs Specialist Anna Perea. Bob Varick, shown below and with new Fishing Club member Bill Rottmann, marked his fifth Fishing Derby Wednesday. He won last year's contest for biggest fish. For more photos from the day, click here.

The Loveland Fishing Club's annual Senior Fishing Derby, that special thing we've been doing since 2011 with Loveland area assisted living centers, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11th at Flatiron Reservoir.  Bob Dierkes, chair of this year's event, has things in good shape but he's hoping for more confirmed volunteers. So if you plan to participate, and haven't signed up yet, please contact Bob at 970-819-2349 or  rdierkes51@gmail.com . "We can always use more help as fishing guides and servers or general helpers," Bob says. At this point about a dozen facilities plan to attend, which means we'll likely have about 50 guests along with staff assistants. The club covers the cost of fishing licenses and admission to the Larimer County Parks facility, provides the equipment and bait and finishes the day with a picnic.  This is always a joyful event, but this will be the first year the club has held the derby without the presence of the...

  Emma Hobbs, who has succeeded Gina as organizer of the Chilson annual Harvest Bazaar, is short on volunteers and hoping Loveland Fishing Club members can help as in years past. If you'd like to help, contact her at  Emma.Hobbs@cityofloveland.org   or  970.962.2336. There's also a signup sheet in her office at Chilson.  Help is needed on Saturday the 14th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the event is from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. "If anyone is interested in a specific job then I can put them down for one," Emma says. "They can also let me know what time they are coming, and I can assign jobs as needed based on when they will be able to help." Here's a flyer on the Harvest Bazaar, always a popular early fall event.    ​

 Caught a few fish on Thursday night's catfish venture on Boyd Lake, but none of them had whiskers. Still,. eight club members turned out for a night of fishing on a beautiful late August evening. We'll figure them out next time. Below are Darrell Knight with a nice white bass and Wayne Baranzyk not long after turning one loose. 

  Okay, several in the club plan to confront Boyd Lake's catfish population Wednesday night, and you can still be one of us. Just meet us near the jet ski boat ramp around 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 28. Some will fish by float tube, others will be finding a good spot along the shore. Catfishing is not something the club is overly famous for, so suggestions for success are welcome. You can also stop by and poke fun, if you bring treats. Not sure if Vicki Tesar will be joining us, but as you can see in the photo below, taken in her youth with brother Rene,Vicki had a knack for harvesting bullheads from the rivers and creeks of Nebraska. " Our catfish bait was generally chicken livers or guts ," she reports. I personally plan to stick with liver- or blood-flavored Gulp! Catfish Chunks. Not as messy or stinky, tucked in next to the snacks in my belly boat.  Join us! 

  An invitation to fish! (With long explanation to follow)  Where: Boyd Lake. Meet near the jet ski ramp When: around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28th The following has been posted to the blog,  http://lovelandfishingclub. blogspot.com By Bill Prater Loveland Fishing Clubbers tend to be  a tradition -loving folk. But as we advance into our Golden Years, we also tend to forget  what  some  of those traditions were.   So   it’s  with considerable satisfaction that Jim Roode remembered that it is  past  time to resurrect a club tradition informally known as the “Great Boyd Lake Annual Night Catfishing Expedition.” We  haven’t  been out there bobbing around in the dark since well before Covid, but remember it sure was fun.  I dimly recall we  didn’t  catch many fish, but hey, we caught fish. And I clearly remember the absence of the more annoying aspects of that lake right down the road:    The jet ...