Loveland Fishing Club Blog

By Bill Prater I sat down to have coffee this morning and think about going fishing tomorrow. And then I thought about Norm. At first there was just sadness at his passing -- but I for one can’t think about Norm Engelbrecht without also smiling. He brought happiness to every crazy adventure he talked us into over the years. And I don’t think I ever saw him scowl.   For a look at club photos of Norm over the years, click on this Google Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/viPA5ytzu3RVG1qs6   Norm passed away on Sept. 20, after a lengthy illness. I now find myself looking over stories on this blog about some of the stranger adventures this club has survived over the years. It’s uncanny how many began over coffee with Norm. Here, for example, is what I wrote about an unforgettable, kinda disastrous, trip to central Kansas:    “Anyone who participated in that ill-fated, Engelbrecht-led catfishing trip to Lake Glen Elder can testify that the journey itself is fre...

 Since this morning's post about fishing picking up, two more club members have added photos of their successful outings. Here's Rick Golz and a Boyd Lake white bass taken during Boat Day a week ago (that looks like Tom Miller's pontoon boat), and Doug Money with a handsome Delaney trout. Send us your finest, to:  billjohnp@gmail.com  We're hearing regular reports of some good fishing outings in recent weeks; let us know how you're doing. Top left, Cindy Graul shows off one of several big rainbows she temporarily lifted from Sylvan Dale Ranch's trout pond. Dave Boyle is scoring big on white bass at Boyd Lake in recent days, and here are a couple channel cats he tricked into biting on Heinricy Pond. Bottom, Bill's 15-inch crappie from Horsetooth. 

  Norm Engelbrecht, 80, a founding member and past president of the Loveland Fishing Club, passed away Tuesday after a lengthy illness. He's easily one of the most beloved and well known members of the club, and will be much missed. There was hardly an interesting club event that didn't involve Norm in some fundamental way. He was also an excellent angler, though easily distracted by the chance to talk to anyone in his path. He his survived by wife Gail and other family members. Funeral arrangements are pending.  We're sure going to miss this guy.

Fishing at a fevered pace Thursday while fellow club members cast in vain into the murky waters of Flatiron Reservoir, Ken Kesterke was declared 2022 Club Champion. Dennis Kelsey earned the title of runnerup, after winning it all in 2015. I wouldn't say the rest of the club got skunked -- but others probably would. Fishing was slow for everyone but Ken, who finished with a handsome string of four trout totaling 46 1/2 inches.  As club champion, Ken has his name engraved on the rotating club trophy, and gets to show it off for the next year. He also wins $50, while Dennis earn $25 with a 10 1/2 inch rainbow. 

  After a two-year absence caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, the Loveland Fishing Club's Senior Derby returned to Flatiron Reservoir Wednesday, a howling success by just about every measure except perhaps the number of fish caught. Um, we think it's been so hot lately that Colorado Parks and Wildlife was unable to provide its usual stocking. A couple anglers did haul in a rainbow, but no one seemed to mind being skunked, except maybe Tom Miller, deprived of the chance to clean a fish.  Derby Chair Vicki Tesar offers thanks to the many club members who made the event such a success. To see a more complete set of photos taken of participants, click on the link below to a Google Photo album, Loveland Fishing Club Senior Derby. You can download any or all, or forward them to a friend. Photos taken by Bill Prater and Rick Golz have been put into a Google Photo Album that you can view and download to print or share with friends. Here's the link:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/yA8Nc...

You still have a few weeks to practice:  the annual Club tournament will be held at Flatiron Reservoir on Thursday, Sept. 15, the day after the Senior Derby. For newbies and the forgetful who are not sure what's involved, this is a competition held since 2007, and the winner is whomever catches the biggest measured string of four trout in a four-hour period, 8 a.m. to noon. Money and reputations are on the line here, so competition will be ruthless. ( Please bring along a tape to measure and record each other's catch.)  Win or lose, lunch will be free to all, served up by the most recent tournament champion and runner-up, Bill Prater and Rick Golz. Admission is charged at Flatiron, so some of us will meet in the Jax parking lot on West Eisenhower to carpool, leaving no later than 7:30 a.m.  This will be the first competition since introduction of Covid-19 to the world - which takes a bit of the luster off the fact that your legendary editor  Bill Prater has retained ...

  A Loveland Fishing Club tradition since 2006, the club's Senior Fishing Derby will be held at Flatiron Reservoir on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Members of Loveland area assisted living centers are our special guests, and we expect to host around 50, along with support staff from the homes, according to Vickie Tesar, this year's derby chair. If you've not signed up to volunteer, we're in good shape for the event but can always use more help, Vickie says. This is one of the club's greatest traditions, and fun for all. So come on out. You can reach Vicki at VT0608@out.look.com   This year’s derby is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.   Wednesday, Sept. 14th th  at Flatiron Reservoir, a Larimer County Open Space property where there is normally an $8 daily entrance fee. The club also works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to purchase a sort of in bulk fishing license for participants, and the Division also stocks the lake in advance with trout. The idea sprang to mind more than a deca...