The club is open to all, but club events take place during the week and we meet at Chilson Senior Center in Loveland, CO. Our basic purpose is to fish, but we're easily distracted by the chance to work with youngsters or improve northern Colorado outdoor resources.
You voted them in; here they are: the Loveland Fishing Club's Board was elected at the December meeting for a year-long term. From the left are past President Darrell Knight, now Parliamentarian; new Vice President Kurt Henkenius; Government Affairs liaison Jim Roode; Treasurer Ken Kesterke; new Secretary Wayne Baranczyk; and new President Dave Johnson.
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Over the course of 78 years I’ve learned an invaluable thing: you don’t really choose your best friends; you kind of choose one another. Tom Miller was best known to many as founding father and first President of the Loveland Fishing Club, and before that a senior manager in the California Park system. But to me, he was just a best buddy. In truth, though I’d never tell him that, he was the Dad I needed since my own died too early in life. Tom himself passed away Friday, Dec. 12, at age 90, at home with Sheila, his wife of 67 years.
When I joined the club two decades ago, Tom told me: “the usual minimum requirement for membership is at least one cardiac bypass. But you’re such a fine fellow, we’ll make an exception in your case.” I’ve been trying to live up to that description ever since.
LFC's first club outing, 2001 at Lon Hagler.
That's Tom at far right, with the belly boat.
Like many of you, I have a litany of favorite Tom Miller memories. One was the day, not long after I’d joined the club, when he introduced me to a basic truth about retirement - don't get in a hurry any more, and don’t rush what you might enjoy. Early on he and I had similar feelings about some now-forgotten Larimer County issue. He asked if I wanted to go with him to a hearing about it. Still working from home part-time, I said: “yeah, sure,” assuming I could hurry back to work in an hour or so. Well, the meeting started at about 11 a.m. Tom got us to the county building about 8:30,leaving time to schmooze the secretaries and everyone else who showed up. And when the hearing was over, he asked: “Ever been to the fish hatchery in LaPorte?”
Well, no. Turns out Tom volunteered there, as part of his lifelong obsession with all things fish. We had an unhurried, unscheduled tour of the place from his hatchery buddies. And from there we went to Tom and Sheila’s place, where I met Sheila and his old cat. I also admired Tom's antique gas trolling motor, an ancient spinning reel and the buffalo gun used back in the 19th century to kill his law officer grandpa. I then had a couple beers from Alaska, turned down an offer of a sandwich, and made it home just in time to quit for the day. Didn’t miss a damned thing important.
Tom used his 90 years on this Earth more effectively than anyone else I’ve known. His fertile imagination lured his many friends into endless volunteer projects, local and out-of-town fishing trips, grant applications and fishing adventures involving kids.
Anyway, if you knew Tom for long you have stories of your own. Buy me a beer and we can share favorites. Mine kept me half awake the past two nights, smiling at one memory or another. Sheila told me Tom passed away where he wanted, at home with her, and he’d have been happy with that. “He was an opinionated old goat, but that’s one of the things I liked best about him,” she said.
Life slowed for Tom in the past few years. He had increasing problems with balance and moving around. Had to migrate from ice fishing and belly boats to trolling from his pontoon. But his mind and commitment to service was as sharp as ever. In 2023, with the club teetering near collapse with Covid-19, none of us were willing to commit to leadership of the club. Tom stepped in to become the only member in club history to serve two terms as President. (Dave Johnson will be the second, starting his second term in January, inspired by a good man’s good example.)
With the help of about a dozen fishing buddies, Tom created the Loveland Fishing Club intending to use it to fish with friends and do good for others. Though he never sought recognition, he was honored in 2013 with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program’s “Lead with Experience” Service Award. RSVP noted Tom “continues to redefine the way seniors contribute to the quality of outdoor recreation in northern Colorado.” His nomination noted: Tom’s “in-depth knowledge of public policy and fishing and hunting continue to pay remarkable benefits for seniors, youngsters and other residents of Larimer County. “
... Bill Prater
Tom, yours was a life well-lived.
Bill Prater
Tom Miller, 90, the club's first president and the fellow who conceived of the club in the first place back in 2001, died Friday, Dec. 12, after a fall in his home. He'd been in poor health for some time, though he remained active in the club til the very end. He was also the first member to serve a second term as club president, in 2023, when we needed him to outlast the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic. Before relocating to Loveland from Southern California, he was a senior manager for the California Park System. He was a tremendous fisherman, and even better friend. This is hard to write; I love that old man.
As incoming President Dave Johnson always says, "Never sniff a gift fish," but you should give some thought to what you wrap up for the club's gift exchange. If you don't want to participate, you can still have coffee and cookies. But otherwise you'll want to thoughtfully decide on a gift of about 10 bucks. Wrap it up but don't put your name on it.
We've just learned of the Oct. 20 passing of past Loveland Fishing Club member William J. (Bill) Hamlin, 82.
Bill’s life was filled with friendships, adventures and joy. In 2019, he was deeply honored to take part in the Honor Flight to visit the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. – a trip that held great meaning for him. He was a member of the Loveland Fishing Club and VFW Post 15.
Allnut Funeral Services is handling arrangements. A Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW at a later date. Bill's complete obituary can be found on the following link: William Hamlin Obituary - Loveland, CO
The Loveland Fishing Club was represented in the Loveland Veteran's Day Parade this year with President-elect and Marine Dave Johnson and Army veteran Larry Kawa aboard a boat float driven by Al Noraker.
Click below to check out our float in this Google Photos Album...
Pat Mikulak reports having six remaining short sleeve shirts and one crew neck shirt available for purchase. He'll bring them to the club's November meeting, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Chilson Senior Center. Bring some cash or a check; no Bitcoins. Here's what you could look like for your admrers:
Shortly after leading the club to an historic shutout performance at the 2025 Club Derby, you can see the relief in President Darryl Knight's face Wednesday as he shows off this handsome cutbow. He caught and released the beast from a private lake in Red Feather, so it won't be admissible for the club Angler of the Year competition. But still ...
Club President Darrell Knight advises us to be at the Railroad Park Pavilion by about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, with the picnic to begin at 2.
Two dozen of the Loveland Fishing Club's most determined anglers took to the shores of Flatiron Reservoir Thursday, leaving the 2025 Derby Champion, um, kinda undetermined.
You really don't want to miss Thursday morning's Loveland Fishing Club annual club derby. In addition to traditional prizes for first and second place, new member Al Roraker has donated terrific additional prizes for First, Second and Third!
Cold, windy, fish weren't biting. Still a great day at Bass Pond with new friends from Bethesda Gardens.
After a hard rain and annoying cold front, the fish weren't too cooperative Monday. No one seemed to mind to much, as the Loveland Fishing Club hosted about 10 residents of Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living Center.
The bite was slow but conversations were long and happy. Hoping we can get out there with them again soon.
Photo by Pat Mikulak
The winner's name will be permanently added to the club's traveling trophy, which she or he can keep until next year's derby. She or he also earns bragging rights and $50; the runner up gets 25 bucks and the chance to help the winner cook the derby banquet after the 2026 Derby. Arnie, perhaps better known for his chili and jambalaya, will be the lead chef at this year's event.
Pat Mikulak is reporting that the club's custom embroidered shirts will be ready in time to distribute at the club's annual picnic, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Railroad Park Pavilion.
The deadline for signing up for a shirt has passed. Participants should have placed an order for a shirt embroidered with the Loveland Fishing Club logo, in sizes small through XXX. Please come to the picnic with cash or a check so you can change into your new garb for the meal. Below are Pat and some of his clones modeling the available shirt types and colors.
Whether you're planning to volunteer or just planning to have breakfast and check out the crafts, the Harvest Bazaar is a popular event for Loveland Fishing Club members. Here's the background:
Join us for this fundraising event for the Chilson Senior Advisory Committee where proceeds benefit the Senior Scholarship program. Browse craft tables for handmade gifts while enjoying games and delicious food & drinks.
Lunch tickets :
NEW! Bazaar Bingo - play five rounds of Bingo at the Harvest Bazaar for a chance to win a prize! 11A or 12P - $4 (Registration required)
Calling all crafters! Want to be a vendor in the Harvest Bazaar? Applications are online and printed at the Senior Center beginning August 4, 2025 for those that are interested. You MUST apply to be considered.
Application link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2DPWYS9 or
Dennis Kelsey is still hauling in largemouth bass with his secret technique at Bass Pond. Here's the latest...
Anglers fishing from the new dock on Bass Pond watched Pat Bosek patiently trying to lure a very large largemouth cruising close to the dock. Then wily club member Dennis Kelsey showed her his secret weapon: use a freshly caught bluegill as bait. The result: the biggest catch of the day at Wednesday's Loveland Senior Fishing Day at River's Edge. Despite Tuesday's frog-strangling downpour that probably kept away some anglers, the collaboration between the Loveland Fishing Club and Loveland Open Space and Trails was a great success, says President Darrell Knight. Half a dozen guests are expected to join the club as a result of their experiences.
Pat Mikulak is still taking signups for members wanting to showcase their club membership with their very own custom Loveland Fishing Club shirt.
A lot's going on next week, and a good bit of it culminates at the general meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. Here are highlights:
Pat Mikulak will be getting the club's fishing gear ready for the Senior Fishing Day, and needs help stringing up poles.
A Celebration of Life for Merle will be held Sunday, Sept. 28th at 2 p.m. at Merle's home, 2311 N. Garfield, Loveland.
Merle, who was our club's president in 2016, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 16th.
Born in Sterling, Nebraska on July 10th, 1940, he was the son of Trientje "Tena" (Kelle) and Walter Boden. He grew up on the farm just outside of Sterling, with his six brothers and sisters, and graduated from Sterling High School in 1958. Merle attended classes for a time at Peru State College then went on to complete a program at a specialty electronics school in Omaha. He worked for AT&T for over 25 years, retiring as a supervisor.
Merle met Janice Lee (Van Omen) Cale and fell in love. They were married on June 7, 1998 and settled in Loveland in 2001. Together they enjoyed life's simple pleasures, each other's company, and doting on their many grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were truly a pair. They had celebrated more than 26 wonderful years together at the time of Jan's passing in 2024.
Merle was blessed with two sons, Dave and Tom. He was a great father, both loving and kind. He supported his boys in all that they did and found so much joy in being present in their lives. He taught them the value of working with their hands and taking pride in their work, sharing with them the many skills he had acquired throughout his life. He loved watching them grow to be men, then husbands, and then fathers with families of their own. Merle was so very proud of his boys and the men they became.
He is also survived by two sisters, Ardis (Boden) Wentz and husband Ken of Sterling, NE, and Mary (Boden) Waddington of Phoenix, AZ; sister-in-law Jackie Boden of Sterling, NE; brother-in-law Ben Schole of Hooper, NE; and by his first wife and mother of his boys, Kaye R. (Jacobson) Boden of Loveland, CO; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
It's official. This year's amended day of fishing for seniors will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon at River's Edge Natural Area, 960 W. 1st Street.
It looked as though we wouldn’t be able to hold the senior derby this year; an annual event for northern Colorado’s senior community since 2011. The reason was complicated, but basically the derby was just getting too much for us. Club President Darrell Knight says that, rather than trying to manage the event on our own, the Loveland Fishing Club would team this year with a great coalition that includes the Chilson Senior Center, Loveland Parks and Recreation, and the City of Loveland’s Open Lands and Trails. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will also be involved, using the event to help publicize the quality of fishing available in River’s Edge ponds.
We won’t be focusing as much on Loveland’s assisted living centers as in years past, Darrell says. They’ll still be welcome, but need to provide their own license and like other attendees, register in advance.
Below is information from the flyer created by Chilson Senior Center to promote attendance. The club is teaming with the Senior Center, Loveland Parks and Recreation and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. If you'd like to volunteer, you need to register with the city as a volunteer and then sign up for the event itself. Follow this link: http://offero.CityofLoveland.org
The club will be providing snacks, drinks and loaner poles. Volunteers will be needed to help with the event, but members are also free to fish.
A current fishing license is required, and both volunteers and anglers are required to register in advance. If you've not registered with the city for an activity you'll need to fill out an online form, again, http://offero@CityofLoveland.org
Here's the language being used to promote the event.
Wednesday, 24 September 2025 @ 08:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Outdoor Skills - Seniors
Join us for a fun day of fishing for anglers 55+, with loaner equipment and assistance provided by Loveland Fishing Club members. This is a free event open to the Loveland community, to enjoy the great outdoors with fellow seniors, learn to fish, and get to know River's Edge Natural Area. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE OR PURCHASE A VALID 2025 COLORADO FISHING LICENSE PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT THE EVENT. Fishing license may be purchased online at: https://cpw.state.co.us/fishing/licenses-and-dates. Some local sporting goods stores also sell fishing licenses; call before visiting to confirm. PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE, so we're sure to have enough equipment and snacks for all. Registration deadline is September 23. Trails are wheelchair friendly and several accessible fishing docks are available. Meet at the picnic shelters just east of the main River's Edge parking lot to sign in, pick up gear, and meet Fishing Club volunteers. Sturdy shoes and sun protection are recommended. LFC volunteers, please use the Volunteer sign-up link.
Questions? Call or text Darrell Knight, 679-232-2040; comnetga@bellsouth.net
