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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 227 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
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So I met with mike Otto today! My 5 year old son wanted to tag along. He asked who we were seeing, and I responded that we were seeing THE pond boss. He asked me what this means.. and i explained that he is an expert with dirt.
During our introductions, not even saying hello, how are you, or any other niceties...
Mike: Hello there kiddo... how are you?
5 year old: "where is your shovel? You have work to do." and started throwing rocks into the pond.
I guess in a 5 year olds eyes, Dad and the dirt experts shouldnt be standing around talking....
it was a funny moment.
I really want to post to tell anyone who is even considering pond work/dirt work to call mike and get an opinion... he even saved my life from a 3 foot diamondback.
dustin
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69 |
Dustin - great post. You're blessed with a unique opportunity to work with Mr. Otto...but your son is right, less talk - more diggin!
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,796 Likes: 310
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,796 Likes: 310 |
In Otto's own words, his time at Harvard Law School was well spent.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,533 Likes: 277
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Here is Mike with his shovel.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Great story Dustin. I can fully envision your little fella and Mike talking business -- and both thoroughly enjoying the exchange before starting to play in the dirt.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,657 Likes: 879
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Good post Dustin! Now fill us in on the rest of the story!!
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Joined: May 2010
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Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ok, so here is the story: I have been considering this as a possible lake sight and had the following thread: http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=215241#Post215241Long story short, mike tells me that my ravine, and terrain are both A++; and will make one of the coolest bass lakes with natural cuts and structure that he has looked at in a long time. Felt my Clay availability was B level; satisfactory, but worried about the amount of gypsum rock in the layers of soil. Otto also pointed out much evidence that a large amount of water has been flowing into the "mini grand canyon" as he called it. felt water availability was B+ level. I will take some photos soon, and let you see what Mike and I are so excited about... now it is time to get some earth moving equipment going..... (after I save some more... rather large, deep dam.) Dustin
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Wow Dustin... Sounds like you have a future gem on your hands! How large will the final pond be?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,084 Likes: 282
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
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Dustin, if Mike returns have your son conduct a clay plasticity test on the side of his pickup. Mike will understand that perfectly.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 119
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 119 |
Dustin, Mike Otto built my lake in a very similar situation. None better than Otto in my opinion, couldn't be happier with the finished product. We damned up a ravine full of mesquite and cedar trees. Mike also expressed some concerns about some gypsum he found at our place, but so far it has not been an issue. Lupe, Mike's right hand man is not real keen on rattlesnakes!
Approximately where is your lake located and what will your water shed be?
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Joined: May 2010
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Hall of Fame Lunker
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CJB,
Mike is doing the final calculations, but sounds like it will be about 15-20 acres... There are so many little fingers and forks down the sides, that my topo calculations with the free utilities online are not too accurate. Mike is getting some numbers for me soon.
Fishinglth,
Above in the post is a link to my orininal thread, there is a topo map and cordinatnts there...The lake will be 5 miles west of my town, Childress, Tx. we have 22.5 inch/year rainfall, and we estimate a 300-350+ acre watershed. The watershed is steep, and probably will run off more than the standard 30%.
I will post some pics later tonight.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 119
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2002
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69 |
Dustin, if Mike returns have your son conduct a clay plasticity test on the side of his pickup. Mike will understand that perfectly. LOL! Agreed - have him perform two tests - just to be certain the results are authentic
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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15-20 acres... I bet there are gonna be some real brutes caught out of it in the next decade!
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Joined: May 2010
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Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: May 2010
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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That will be one very nice BOW!
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Joined: May 2010
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Hall of Fame Lunker
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THANKS!!! i am very excited. have to do some saving... but hopefully soon!
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,796 Likes: 310
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Posts: 13,796 Likes: 310 |
Any fish in the existing pond?
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 227 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Yes, but I have never fished it... I'm told it was LMB, CC, and an unknown verity of sunfish...
we had a contract on the land pending what Mike Otto told me... and now that we have the green light, we have to sign the paperwork soon.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,084 Likes: 282
Moderator Lunker
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Childress huh? Not a lot of people go there or even through there on purpose. I think it's a neat part of the world. About 10 years ago, I almost bought a place North of Quanah.
That's the part of the world where dogs belong under the house, not in it.
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 05/14/10 03:34 PM.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,797 Likes: 14
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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That is a fine looking place there Dustin.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,084 Likes: 282
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
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That looks like a place with some pesky mulies.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 227 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: May 2010
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yah, i have seen mule deer, white tail, hogs, and of course quail and dove. it is very game filled area. Contract in this week.... and i hope to have test holes dug in the next 3 months...
it is unfortunate that I dont have the larger dam as it has been raining a LOT this year!
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