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At 4:56pm on June 25, 2009, Howard Webster said…: Gill
If you get a chance to fish champlain try to plan a stay at Half Moon Pond. It is a great kayak lake of about 7 acres. It has a 5 mile an hour speed limit The best part is it is full of Bluegills. My wife and I spent the past weekend there. I must have caught over 250 fish.
I would not recomend worms unless you bring sevral dozen. I went through a dozen in about 1 hour. The gulp maggots worked fine. The second day I used my fly rod all day I caught them with poppers flies I had tied a white piece of plastic.cut small Many of the gills were
running 8 inches and a little over
The other nice thing is half moon pond is a wonderful campground very quiet clean bathrooms and showers. Many campsites are on the water It is less than 15 minutes from Castelton
where what ever one might need can be bought

At 4:59pm on June 9, 2009, Howard Webster said…: Gill
Sorrey about the delay my old pc up and died. There is great fishing in Champlain. If you are planning on using kayaks the area called sandbar is nice very shallow and some weeded areas. Sunday I was catching nice blues from shore avg over half pound.

At 4:35pm on June 5, 2009, Jim Gronaw said…: Hey Warrior...some guys are using Fireline Crystal in lower strengths with some success in horsing bulls from the brush. Don't know for myself, though, I'm kinda old school with mono, it just feels and fishes better for me. Looks like you got quite a spot with some big northern sunnies! See ya.

At 6:29pm on June 4, 2009, Howard Webster said…: Gill
I am located 20 miles north of Burlington and live about 5 minutes from the lake I will be more than happy to share what little I know. At present time I fish mostly back flows from the lake we get a lot of wind here and broad lake can be nasty and the rain patterns have kept the rivers to dirty to amount to much. I do have some small water craft if yopu need it keep me posted

At 8:38pm on May 23, 2009, Jim Gronaw said…: Hey Warrior...you doin the kayak thing? My son just got one and I have half a notion to join him. Looks lke you could sneek up on just about any thing with a kayak. Do you like the sin over the sot's? I' thinkin s-o-t for me, but I'm not sure. I got lots of places to launch one. Tell me more!

At 5:09pm on May 17, 2009, Bruce Condello said…: I know a place where you can get a replica of that size. And he's an award winning taxidermist.

At 5:03pm on May 17, 2009, Jim Gronaw said…: Hey Warrior...as a matter of fact, I am entering the perch in the c&r division for the In Fish contest. I am so glad that a friendly local fisherman was willing to take photos of the fish that morning. I am thinking about a replica but have not been able to find any that large on the web. I also got a 2-2 and a 2-6 from Deep Creek through the ice that went 14 3/4 and 15 in each. They were real butterballs, however.

At 6:32pm on May 5, 2009, Howard Webster said…: Gill
you being in the northeast also I was wondering if you have white pearch and what you think about them

At 5:02pm on April 12, 2009, Jim Gronaw said…: We had fun on Good Friday at an irregation pond with bass , gills and crappies...nothin real big, but about 65 fish, so we were happy. Check the 'Good Friday Variety ' photos and I put in a snip of our tactics of the day. Still cold any windy down here with lots of rain. Hang in there...good fishin is comin!

At 4:43pm on April 9, 2009, Jim Gronaw said…: Hey Warrior...thanks for the nice comment on the slabs...you know, I am sure, how difficult tidal crappies can be, especially during the spawn when they are trying to bed in an area of consistant depth and they have to deal with the water depth changes of tides. But it is challenging trying to key on them in small cubbyholes and spillways below millpond dams. My 1/32 oz hairjigs would barely quiver enough to get them to slurp them in as they fell out of the current and into slackwater for the ambush...lost several more nice ones ...taotaled seven...see ya! Jim

At 4:25pm on February 22, 2009, Jeff Soto said…: Wow! Hi IceWarriorGill, this is Jeff from sunny Calif. I just saw your beautiful Pumpkinseed mount! Really nice! How big was that fish? I am a fish taxidermist that specializes in reproductions so I always have my eye out for other well done mounts. Looks like a beautiful Largemouth also. Who did the great work?

At 9:54pm on February 17, 2009, Tom Hudson said…: I was only kidding about my Southern buddies...trying to get a rise out of them, of course I'll never hear the end of it I'm sure. Can't beat So hospitality!

At 9:53pm on February 17, 2009, Tom Hudson said…: Hey amigo,

Conference is in Sept - 17-19 I think - check it out on the home page of the forum on Pondboss. It's in Branson MO. Beautiful country, pretty Southern people...which is okay for a few days ; - )

Definitely plan on coming...you will learn 20 years in three days - and I will make sure Bruce introduces you to all the big hitters. It's an invaluable experience if you really want to get serious about managing your waters, and I can tell you do!

At 6:52pm on February 17, 2009, Michael Thompson said…: Thanks!
good fishing!
MT

At 9:42pm on February 16, 2009, Tom Hudson said…: WARRIOR!

Nice, you're on Pondboss - prepare to be edumacated! We should pick up the phone and chat sometime...also, consider coming to the Pondboss conference - you can meet some of the best minds in pond management in the world there - and all the advice is free. I will be there with Bruce - we can grab some dinner and let our pond conversations go well into the morning.

Think about calling sometime if you are in the mood to chat.

402.730.4897

TJ

At 11:41am on February 14, 2009, Tom Hudson said…: IWG

I will address these questions - and good ones they are - very soon. Bear in mind, however, that there are lots of fisheries biologists and aquaculturists on Pondboss.com - I encourage you to get MANY opinions and lay out your options before you decide what to do.

The coolest thing about little ponds is you can change them virtually whenever you want a new project - just draw down the water, seine them out, and start anew.

I will address your other questions ASAP but you should post this question on Pondboss for sure...it's a free forum!

At 8:08pm on February 12, 2009, Tom Hudson said…: You bet man...I love hearing about your blank canvas - it's exciting stuff. Do you mind if I plant a seed?

Main pond:

If you want LMB and SMB remember that the LMB will outcompete the SMB and keep their numbers thinned and will dominate the pond - also keeping your panfish numbers in check. It's all about your goals.

I was faced with this decision [I wanted a strong SMB population and just a few BRUTE LMB to catch as a bonus fish] and this is what I'm doing:

300 SMB stocked this spring and creating spawning habitat [rock rings] to encourage reproduction. I love LMB, but can catch them ANYWHERE in NE, but you can't often find SMB - so I'm only adding 50 FEMALE LMB so while I have a shot of growing a state record LMB [11 lbs] I won't have them eating everything that swims and harming my SMB population.

I have no idea what Chain Pickerel will do to a small pond, definitely worth getting on Pond Boss and asking.

Sorry I keep talking pond...I'll take a break - just excited for you man - please keep me in the loop I can't wait to see the land you choose.

PS: It took me 3 years to find a lender for "raw" or unimproved land loans. Most are around 60% LTV - which is a chunk of cash to lay down. I found two that are 85% - so you only need 15% down [obviously]. I would hate to see you suffer through 3 years of disappointment, so when the time comes, let me know and I'll shoot you their contact info.

TJ

At 7:32pm on February 11, 2009, Tom Hudson said…: Wow, I love your thinking my friend. Great questions, and you are totally on the right track.

Your goals and my goals are super similar, along with a great resource named Bruce Condello - who taught me what I know. You should take a second sometime and think about your goals. With ponds as small as .1 acres you can create multiple fisheries with many species. The thing to always keep in mind, the king of all details, is WATER QUALITY. If you have plenty of good, oxygenated water the options are vast.

Want a muskie pond? Rainbow/Brookie/Brown Trout pond? Monster Gill pond? Reproduction pond? You can achieve all this - and by doing a few things like supplemental feeding and aeration you can grow an incredible amount of BIG fish in small water.

Main pond - depending upon the size, you have to be a little more careful about species added. List your goals, your dreams, and let's talk about it. When you want to take it up multiple notches I encourage you to fire a hello to Bruce...he's more Phishpsycho [dedicated/passionate/knowledgable/pioneering] than the both of us combined.

At 7:20pm on February 9, 2009, Tom Hudson said…: Im sorry to hear that IWG. My condolences to you and your family.

I understand your passion for creating your slice of heaven on earth - and trust me, its worth every dime and second you put into it. You know that feeling you get when you obsess about a project and the inevitable disappointment when you're done it doesn't quite live up to your expectations? Well, not the case with the pond construction!

I would encourage you to create as many small ponds as you can [.1 - 1 Acre] so you can get lots of different projects going simultaneously. I can't wait to hear about your plans, and hopefully see the land you end up buying.

There are lots of good aquaculturists, engineers and dirt guys by you that Bruce knows VERY well. I encourage you to reach out to him or us when the time comes.

At 6:51pm on February 9, 2009, Tom Hudson said…: IWG

did you get my reply to your desires for becoming a private water manager/pond meister? not to overwhelm you but you are in the right place...let me know when you are thinking about pulling the trigger - I am willing to lend as much advice as I can - I know with the right help from guys like Bruce Condello I saved tens of thousands of dollars. i'm pumped for you - managing your own water is such a trip - I really encourage you to go for it.