Gwinnup catches rare Snakehead fish in Horsetooth
Baffling Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists and fellow Loveland Fishing Club members, John Gwinnup boated an invasive Northern Snakehead fish Monday from Horsetooth Reservoir. It was the first known sighting of the slimy predator west of the Missisippi River. The ravenous fish's range has expanded alarmingly since being discovered in the Florida Everglades in the 1990s, devastating native species and startling unprepared paddleboarders. Gwinnup, a founding member of the club and our Member at Large, injured his shoulder while landing the beast in the upper reaches of Satanka Cover using a 3-inch Berkley Gulp! Emerald Shiner minnow. He also incurred cuts to his right arm and thumb (see below). Aided by fishing buddy Pat Mikulak, John had the nearly severed digit sewn back in place at a Fort Collins Urgent Care clinic. Surgery on his shoulder is set for April 16. The two anglers were able to rejoin other club float tube members later in the afternoon; however high winds forced an...