A good afternoon.

[Earl Dykes Jr.]

Went to my favorite pond 2 days ago. They were up under the willow trees. Tied on a 1/32 renosky minnow and tore them up. Caught 37 in about 2 hours. One weighed 1 pound 6 ounces. Had gill fillets last night. Sweet meat. I've got to figure out how to post pictures on here. Going back soon as this rain stops with the fly rod.

[Jim Gronaw]

Hey Earl, a 1-6 gill is major league stuff in my book...congrats!

[Earl Dykes Jr.]

Jim this particular pond is teaming with big gills. My biggest gill came out of it, 2 lbs 2 ounces. There has been a 3 pound 1 ounce one come out of it. I know for sure because I weighed and mounted it for the pond owner. It is teaming with bass in the 1 to 3 pound range, so the gills that make it are big. I am blessed to be able to fish it. Best thing about this pond is that it is behind my house about 1/2 mile through the woods. Hop on the Kawisaki mule, hook to my little bass hunter boat and I am in the water in less than 5 minutes. I only hope my pond I built 2 years ago gets this good. The owner is going to help me manage mine, so we will see.

[Jim Gronaw]

Earl, I think your situation is just about as close to bluegill heaven as you can get! I can think of 6-8 ponds within a 30 minute drive from my house that have 'pounders in them, but we have never gotten a two lber from any of them. Keep in touch and let me know if you strike gold again!