Latest News – February 21

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Fish Tales and Family Fun at The Ice Fishing Derby!

The 17^th Annual Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby saw 152 competitors fishing for the big prizes and 14 kids vying for bragging rights and trophies. The weather was overcast and cloudy, not too cold with scattered snow showers on and off throughout the weekend.

The Big Mac Daddy! Mike Mueller of Loveland, Colo., took top prize of the weekend with a nearly 18 lb., 38 ¾ inch Mackinaw. Photo: Leadville Today.

On Saturday, event organizers said that the fishing was good, but the catching was slow! No browns nor brookies had been reeled in by Sunday morning. In fact, on Saturday the only big thing that was pulled from the water was someone’s ATV that went into the lake down by the channel where the ice can get soft. Fortunately, they were able to retrieve it without incident.

Brian Westphall took 4th place with this very big Mackinaw. Photo: Leadville Rod & Gun Club..

Even though the derby saw more participants on Saturday than Sunday, it was day two that saw the big catches. Like Mike Mueller of Loveland, Colo., who caught the big prize of the weekend with a nearly 18 lb., 38 ¾ inch Mackinaw. That’s a big fish to pull from an 8-inch hole in the ice!

One of the top prizes among the kids went to Devin Gonzales with his rainbow, weighing in at 12-5/8 ozs. Photo: Leadville Today.

The younger fishermen had fun as well, with Devin Gonzales pulling in a 12-5/8 oz rainbow for biggest catch for the kids. Full results are posted below.  

Most of the competitors return year after year and have their own favorite spots. In recent years, it’s shaping up to be a true generational event as well , with younger parents bringing out there kids, just like their folks did when they were young.

More photos follow the results! Or see on the Facebook Page.

The Leadville Rod and Gun Club’s next big event is the Annual Gun Show held Boom Days Weekend in August. You may contact the LRGC at CR. 6, 100 Gun Club Rd, Leadville, CO 80461 or by phone at 719-486-2848. 

Life On The Ice can make you blue or make you turn blue! Photo: Julia Martinez Pick your spot , drill a hole and drop a line! Photo: Julia Martinez. Ben Adair – who pays to play with the big guys – didn’t win any prizes (this year!) but pulled in this nice fish! Good catch, great attitude! Photo: Leadville Today.

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