Halloween

Warm, sunny weather drew thousands of youngsters to downtown Loveland for the annual Halloween Family Fun Festival and the club's "fishing" booth.  An unending line of costumed fairies, superheroes and witches waited for a chance to catch the candy and Colorado Parks & Wildlife badges and whistles dispensed by delighted club volunteers organized by Karol Stroschein.

Club donates $1,500 to Loveland Fire Rescue in memory of Dale and Dominick

The Loveland Fishing Club is donating $1,500 to the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority to help equip a newly certified rescue diver.  The award is in memory of club members Dale Owens, who drowned in a Sept. 3 accident while fishing on Blue Mesa Reservoir, and the late Dominick Scarillo, who was rescued by Loveland firemen in 2013 when his canoe capsized on Rist Benson Reservoir.

The grant will defray costs to equipment a diver with the wetsuit, drysuit and other gear for lake rescue efforts.  "The club has limited financial resources, but this is something we felt would be an important enhancement to water safety in our community," said Club President Bill Prater.  "Since Dale's tragic death, we've been more concerned than ever over minimizing the risks involved in our sport.  And this seemed an excellent way to honor the memory of our two friends Dale and Dom."

Fish Explorer adds Wyoming fishing news

Our friends at http://fishexplorer.com have added a page dedicated to fishing in the state directly to our north, a good source of information for anyone planning a trip.  Here's the link:  http://www.fishexplorer.com/wy/.

If you're unfamiliar with the site, take a look around and then sign up for membership.  Established in 2006, Fish Explorer has information on more than 1,100 lakes and rivers in Colorado, California, Florida, Texas and now Wyoming.  It also has regular articles by knowledgeable anglers.

Boyle wins club tourney for biggest stringer, largest fish

Using a fly and bubble, Dave hauled in trout all morning long at Flatiron Reservoir, including the four biggest totaling 43 1/4 inches to earn him the revolving annual trophy as the club's top angler.

In the process, he knocked off the 2012 winner Norm Engelbrecht, who cooked the traditional tournament picnic for about two dozen anglers.

One of Dave's four was also the largest fish caught on Thursday, at 13 1/4 inches.  He earned $50 for the biggest string, and $20 for largest single fish.  Mike Scheber was declared winner of the prize for the smallest fish hauled in for the day, a spunky 7 incher, earning him  a $20 cash prize.

Jerry Reid's four-fish strnger was second in that category, 38 3/4 inches, and Arnie Stroschein's was third at 30 1/2 inches.

Dave Boyle, center with trophy, is joined by Mike Schebeer, left,
 Jerry Reid, Norm Engelbrecht and Arnie Stroscheim.

Senior Derby : a Grand Old Day on the water

The 2014 Loveland Fishing Club Senior Derby, our third, was a rousing success - splendid weather and great companionship with residents of seven assisted living centers and other elderly guests recruited with the aid of Chilson Senior Center.  Mike Scheber, who cleaned trout for takehome meals, reports more than 50 trout headed home for the frying pan. More photos to come.  Great job, everyone.

Derby organizer Ray Park, center, sits by campfire with new friends.

Left, prize winner for biggest fish, with Norm.

Oldest female angler was Hope Mantano, left, shown with Sugar Valley friends.

Club tourney is Thursday, Sept. 18: We'll crown the club's top angler!

NEWCOMERS NOTE:  Be there!  This is one of our biggest social events of the year, the only official competition between club members.

Okay, last year's annual club tournament was a washout, a victim of the September floods.  So Norm Engelbrecht has kept the revolving Grand Champion Trophy for two years, after catching the biggest stringer of four trout at the 2012 competition at Flatiron Reservoir.  You can rip it right out of his hands, by catching the four biggest trout at the annual competition, that runs from noon to 8 a.m. Thursday.  Norm will do the cooking this year, at the free picnic that follows the competition.

Mark this on your calendar! Wed, Sept. 17 is the Senior Derby!

Unique fishing derby for elderly Loveland residents set for Sept. 17

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, one year and a day after cancelling its third annual Loveland Fishing Club Senior Fishing Derby for elderly anglers, the club will host residents of seven of the city’s assisted living centers along with other seniors signed up through the Chilson Senior Center.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Flatiron Reservoir, the Larimer County Parks and Open Lands reservoir west of Loveland on County Road 18E. About 100 guests are expected for the day of fishing, followed by a cookout.  The derby is co-sponsored by the Chilson Senior Center, and Colorado Parks & Recreation is helping ensure a great event with the stocking of catchable-size rainbow trout from the Watson state hatchery at LaPorte.

Ray Park with "Fishing Guide" badges created by Mike Scheber.

The Loveland Fishing Club wants to express a very special Thank You to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Larimer County Department of Natural Resources and the City of Loveland for all the help they have given us to make this event possible.

As in year's past, this is one of the club's premier volunteer activities, and all members are encouraged to show up and help.  Click on "Read More" below for a list of club members with specific assigned team lead responsibilities:

Dale D. Owens obituary

To view the pdf file of the obituary that will be published by Dale's family, click on the link below.

Saying goodbye to Dale

A reception is planned for Saturday, Sept. 20, for the late Dale Owens, who passed away in a tragic boating accident while fishing at Blue Mesa. 

Dale’s body was cremated in accordance with his wishes, and no formal services are planned.  His wife Mallorie says the “family will greet and share memories with friends” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the family home, 2749 Abarr Drive.  No memorial has been chosen for donations, but people are “free to donate to the charity of their choice” in his name.

Dale at last January's annual dinner

“We are still trying to process what has happened and take care of the myriad details I now face,” Mallorie told club Vice President Lou Colton.  “I will need a lot of time to process this.  He was a wonderful person and the very best husband and partner I could have had.”

Dale was fishing with a friend at Blue Mesa on Sept. 3 when a sudden squall hit and swamped his boat. 

As Mallorie noted, he was a wonderful person.  And he’ll be missed. 

Hot Dog Day at Swift

The lure of fancy dining and gullible fish led about 30 club members to Swift Ponds Tuesday for a great day on the water.  Most everyone caught at least something, and Lou got in some great practice.  Thanks again to Brad Wright and Colorado Youth Outdoors for making the day possible.

Several good size fish came to the bank to be released unharmed, with Mike Scheber taking top honors with an 18 1/2" largemouth bass, a likely Colorado Master Angler qualifier.