Best advice :

1. Read a lot here on stocking and when you get to the hatchery be interested in their story. Most are glad to tell you what and how they do things. Play dumb and see if what they say makes sense or is a sales job.

2. Ask them for a pond owner reference and check it out.

3. Post here and see if anyone knows them.

4. Tell them about PB , 3/4 of the way through the visit. That should clue them in that you are serious and not subject to being fooled.

5. Ask them about their fish and stock. Do they grow all their own fish (no contract fish surprises).

6. Take some pics.

7. Tell them what you want and see what they say.

8. Let them know that you want to observe the fish as delivered before stocking and take a few pics and measurements (if stocking other than 2 inch fish).

9. Get a written description of what you order/stock. #s , type and size.

\:D Be nice about it - they will be spending a bunch of their time to sell you a few fish.