Agreeable Pond Owner

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

The pond I fish is on an adjacent property, which I have sole permission to access. Well, the owner stopped by the pond today while I was fly fishing. He asked if I actually caught any fish in his pond, particularly bass. I allowed that I do, but not a lot. It's a small pond — only so much is possible.

He told me he had added bass and bluegill some years ago, along with a few sterile carp for weed control. But nothing was done beyond that, and the pond was left to its own devices.

"I believe that," I said. "I'm pretty sure the carp didn't last; I'd have seen them by now if they were here. There are bass and gills here, though, and those I DO catch are pretty wild and tough. They could use a bit of feeding."
I was about to ask for permission to start some food flowing. Then he surprised me.

"Well, how about if I get some more bluegill and put em in?The bass will benefit for sure, and you'll have some more to catch."
I told him I already considered myself BLESSED just to use the pond. But if he did that, I'd get some pellets and start feeding.
He agreed and we shook hands. I'm liking it.

[Tony Livingston]

I appreciate that, but I'm learning also......every single link in the chain is just as important as the links on either side of it, and they all carry the same weight and provide the same measure of value.  I feel that everyone here at BBG has something to offer, and their contributions should be encouraged and welcomed.

We may not always see eye-to-eye, but that's a good thing.........if we all agreed all the time, how could we ever hope to try or learn anything new? A differing opinion submitted in a respectful manner always makes me stop and consider, and re-examine my standings on an issue. Maybe it won't sway me or change my mind, but it does keep me thinking. And that's good for me.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I know the feeling Leo.
I give Tony the business, but I value his knowledge and experience.

[Leo Nguyen]

Looks like David is getting his feet wet into pond management, aside from the avid flies tying skill. You may want to be apart of Pond Boss community as well David. Awesome info on there in management ponds. Tony is a splendid contributor of info on there. I'm just simply coasting through the forum now, and reading articles, rather than responding. I'm tapped out of experience compared to Tony and the rest. They're going way, way, way over my experience level now.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Fair warning. Great, actually.
I'll talk to him.

Thanks.

[Tony Livingston]

Okay, but remember that "balance" is fleeting, and the hardest thing to have in the pond world is a BOW that has nice big bluegills AND big bass....especially in a smaller pond. I'll even go out on a limb and say it's durn near impossible.

A BOW that is in balance at this very moment is struggling to get out of balance......believe me.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

NEED gills? Probably not. I found several dead, 1" bluegill lately, the victims of bass foraging I'm sure. So I doubt he'll get enough to make a profound impact, and seeing the bass fatten up a bit would suit me.
In time the balance will be restored.

[Tony Livingston]

That's awesome that he is willing to take steps to try and improve the fishing, and you are willing to do your part also to enhance the experience. I think this is how it should be. Well done!

Does the pond NEED more bluegills??? In many cases, the opposite is true.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Pond Boss Beware.......good will is still out there......I like it......