Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,902
Posts557,133
Members18,452
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,422
ewest 21,475
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,112
Who's Online Now
11 members (Theo Gallus, jpsdad, Boondoggle, Sunil, Bill Cody, Augie, Jason D, PRCS, Shorthose, Brett B, Layne), 945 guests, and 219 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 97
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
OP Offline
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 97
We'll, we're looking at 2011 in the rear view mirror and lots of things happened through the course of that 365 days. It seems we stay busy all the time, which is fortunate in this tough economy.
Here's a summary of things and a few interesting photos.
As you likely know, we completely rebuilt the website and added tons of new content. We left the forum as is and consolidated some of the topics.
Personally, Debbie and I had another banner year, one loaded with travels and adventure.
Of course, we had the Pond Boss IV Conference and Expo at Big Cedar Lodge last April.
So, let's start with that. Plenty of photos were posted on the website, especially from the moderators. The conference was outstanding, with great information, impressive speakers and trade show.
After an amazing event, something pretty cool happened. It was one of those "in the right place at the right time" things.
Quite a few of us were reveling in the moment and winding down, having dinner at the Worman House on the campus of Big Cedar Saturday night, after the conference. It's a nice restaurant and about twenty of us were in one of the back dining rooms, having a quiet dinner.
Nature called, so I headed out of that dining room, toward the front. Passing near the hostess' stand, I heard a voice, "Hey, there's the Pond Boss!" I looked up, and there stood Johnny Morris, owner of BassPro Shops. I stepped over, we shook hands and spoke for a minute. He asked what we were up to and I told him how well the conference went and then asked, "I thought you would be in Talladega this weekend." He said, "I'm going tomorrow, you want to go?" I said, "Don't ever tempt me with something like that...I'll say yes."
His response was immediate. "I mean it...you want to go?" I said, "Sure!". Then, he said, "Well, I can get you there, but I can't get you back."
I pondered that for about two seconds. "Okay...we can figure something out."
Then, I asked if he'd come back in and greet some of the Pond Boss faithful, which he did.
The next morning, he picked me up at the lodge where Debbie and I were staying. Many thanks to Debbie, by the way. She graciously took the car keys, arranged for a passenger to ride with her and handled things while I went off to play.
After a quick tour of a nearby golf course and its ponds, we headed off to the airport for a short flight to Talladega, Alabama. Below are some photos of that adventure.
What happened after the race was pretty cool, too.
During the race, Johnny said, "Where do you need to go after the race, back to Dallas?" I told him, "No, actually I need to go to North Carolina." I needed to get to King Fisher Society to work on their lake. He said, "I bet I can get you a ride to North Carolina."
After the race, he said, "Keep your phone on. I'll see if I can find you a ride." In the meantime, he boarded his plane and started taxiing down to the runway to head off where ever he was headed. Sure enough, in a minute, my phone rang. Johnny said, "There are two big black planes down at the end of the runway, near a hangar. Call this number...he gave me a number. I rang that number, and the lovely lady who answered said, "Sure, we have a seat for you...just come on down, bring your things and we'll get you to North Carolina."
I hoofed it down to those two black planes, which had a logo next to the door. "Dale Earnhardt".
Well, before I knew it, I was on board Dale Earnhardt, Sr.'s plane, about the size of an American Eagle commuter jet, headed to North Carolina. Well, North Carolina is a pretty big state and I wasn't quite sure where we were headed, so I asked one of the ladies...we were headed to Statesville. That's north of Charlotte.
When we landed, the plane headed to a private hangar, right behind the first plane. Well, all the passengers unloaded and disappeared to their cars and headed off. There I was, not sure where we were or how I was going to get where I needed to go. But, I couldn't stop giggling. It was pure fun. There was one guy in the hangar, pushing a trash can to the side. Looked like he was also getting ready to tow the second plane into the hangar. I walked over, introduced myself, big smile plastered across my face, and told him what had happened. I asked him if I might hitch a ride to a hotel in town. He said he needed a few minutes, but would be glad to haul me into town.
I waited in the terminal as he did his chores. The lady who greeted me in the beginning was leaving and asked to make sure I had what was needed. I thanked her profusely for the ride and she headed out. Shortly, the fella in the hangar made his way to into the terminal and beckoned me. I followed like a little puppy and slid into his car. First thing I saw was his well worn Bible, on the dashboard of his car. That struck me...I told him, "I appreciate a man with his Bible on his dashboard." He told me that he reads it every day before heading to work." I asked him what he did for Mrs. Earnhardt. He said, "I'm a pilot. I flew the front plane, the one you weren't on."
As we chatted on the way to town, he told me he had a pond on his property nearby, so we talked shop. At the Holiday Inn Express, we parted, I thanked him, still giggling inside. Inside the hotel, I must've acted a little bit giddy, because the lady behind the desk said, "You must have a story to tell." How'd she know? It was all over my face. I told her I needed a rental car. She called her contacts in town...no rent cars were to be had. There were 22 tornadoes the day before in the area, and all rent cars had been rented.
So, I headed to the room and started thinking....
I remembered a fella in Statesville who had sent a letter a couple years back. I'd been through town and hadn't called him and he was upset about it. Seems he was the guy who bought a subscription to Earnhardt, Sr. and even one for Ryan Newman, who lives in the area, too. I wracked my brain, trying to remember his name...finally it came to me. I looked him up via an online telephone book, called and left him a message. The more I thought about it, I thought I'd ring Ryan Newman and catch up with him. So, I called his number, too...left a message.
I dozed off, oblivious to the fact that I was 150+ miles away from where I needed to go. Worse-case, I could call the guys at King Fisher...Dave Buhler would come get me...but I didn't want to do that, if possible.
Early the next morning, Ryan Newman called and asked what I was doing in town. I told him and he said, "You're not the Pond Boss, you're the Pond Bum! Hitching rides on private jets!" He sent his right hand man, Jerry "June Bug" Moody, to retrieve me. We spend a couple hours at Ryan's place, talking about his ponds and lakes and then he offered his Escalade for me to drive for the week. I thanked him, and asked if June Bug could just haul me where I needed to go. I'd gladly cover his wages and fuel, plus an afternoon fishing trip on legendary Richmond Mill Lake.
So, that Monday afternoon, June Bug and I had a great time with Ryan and then a fantastic fishing trip at King Fisher. It was quite an adventure.


Jamie McMurray and Johnny's entourage before the race.


Pond Boss, Tony Stewart and Johnny Morris just before the race started.


Final preparations before the race.


Where we watched the race from.


The BassPro transport rig.


Tight racing.


Mid-race, got to go to the pit box. That was an amazing experience...sitting in the pit box, above the hub of activity, watching these guys work.


A pit stop in action.


Always something cool at the races.


Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 97
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
OP Offline
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 97
As the year progressed, we did some really fun things. Debbie and I, with daughter Ashley, drove to the left coast and took a look at a school in San Diego. We were able to meet up with JHAP and JWHAP for dinner one night and spent some time with Patrick Simmsgeiger and his wife, Maria Angel, long time Pond Boss advertisers. As we made our journey, we traveled up PCH and hit all the small towns up the coast all the way to Malibu. Then, we motored across California, into Arizona, where we made a quick stop at the Grand Canyon.
While we had plenty of wonderful fisheries management projects, travel seemed to highlight the summer.
Dr. Dave Willis, Head of the Natural Resources Department at South Dakota State University and Dr. Brian Graeb, fisheries professor, made their way to LL,2. We caught some nice stripers in Lake Texoma and then took a tour of several or our better projects, plus some time at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, near Athens. We did some fantastic brainstorming and decided to bring some students to Texas to some field work and help with a genetic study we were in the midst of designing.


We caught a few stripers.


Good catch!


Brian pulled otoliths from some of the stripers, just for fun.


We toured Inslee Fish Farm, the people who started the feed-trained bass craze years ago. They are true pioneers in fisheries.


Brian even went off the zip line at LL,2. We had a great time and came up with some good ideas.


We took a tour of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.


Talking about trained fish....these creatures will eat out of your hand.


We also spent some time in the electrofishing boat.


Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 97
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
OP Offline
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 97
A day or so after our South Dakota buddies headed north, I was talking to Debbie. She could tell my mind was a little bit overloaded, so she graciously suggested I get away. I've been threatening it for three years...just some time along to think, read, pray, write and rest. Well, she mentioned it on Monday, August 1, in the afternoon. So, I packed a bag and left at 5 a.m. Tuesday, August 2. Headed west. Not sure where I was going...so I started Googling after the sun came up. Found some cozy, inexpensive cabins in Ruidoso, New Mexico. By that time, Texas had baked in excessive heat for three months and it was time to escape. So, by five that afternoon I was nestled in a little cabin, breathing cool, fresh mountain air in my warmup bottoms and t-shirt. For the next 7 days, I spent a refreshing time, recharging, writing the next Pond Boss, working on a book and putting together the elements of the Pond Boss sunfish poster (available now). It was a great time. But, on the 9th, I headed home, drove those 9 hours, ready to see my bride. On the 10th, she and Ashley headed toward Nashville, while I headed to Waxahachie, Texas to give a pond management speech with for Ark Country Story with my friend, Dr. Bruce Condello. Then, early the next morning, Condello dropped me off at the airport, where I flew to Nashville to man a booth and give a speech at the BassPro Land and Wildlife Expo. We met up with Fred (Bing) and Connie Bingaman and had a great time. Fred and Connie got tickets to the Grand Ol' Opry, where we were able to join them backstage and meet some of the stars.
Here are a few pictures of that adventure.


Gave a speech and manned a booth.


Johnny Morris stopped by the booth and hammed it up with us. I also bumped into Ray Scott and Roland Martin at that show and got to spend some time chitchatting with them, too. Got to meet Jeff Foxworthy and then introduce him to Ray Scott. That was pretty fun to watch.


At the Opry, they celebrated Vince Gill's 20th year as a member. His daughter performed with him.


Vince Gill onstage.


Vince with Emmy Lou Harris backstage, after the show.


Vince Gill speaks with Bings wife, Connie, as Debbie looks on.


Vince's wife, Amy Grant, shared the fresh fruit from their dressing room and talked with us after the show. It was a special time, thanks to our friends from Illinois, the Bingaman's.



Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 97
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
OP Offline
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 97
From Nashville, I caught a flight to Denver, where I spent three days at the Purina Mills Expo, as an ambassador for them, teaching dealers about the fish foods. From there, I rented a car and headed north, to Shepherd, Montana, where I met up with Bruce and Anne Kania, owners of Floating Island International. We had a great time, even snorkeling his pond, watching fish dart in and out of the vegetation.
From there, I drove west, to Bozeman, to match up with my son, Ty, from Phoenix, Arizona, for a few days of fun and fishing. We rode four-wheelers into the mountains and had a big time, spending good time together. From there, I drove back to Denver, caught a flight home and got back to work...if that's what I actually do.


Bruce and Anne Kania, from Shepherd, Montana. They mostly eat what they produce on their experimental farm.


One of Bruce's experimental ponds with lots of floating islands and floating laboratories.


Bruce installed an underwater viewing area. Basically, it's a large septic tank that you access via ladder from the top. He installed the windows and waterproofed them. You can literally go underwater and view his fish. Pretty cool. I want one.


The view from Kania's front yard. Yellowstone River.


Headed west from Billings...great view.


We met up with Ty's buddy, Chris Alstrin and his family.








Enjoyed the time four-wheeling and fly-fishing.



Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 97
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
OP Offline
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 97
We took one day and headed to Yellowstone National Park. One day doesn't do it justice.









Well...that gets us almost up to date. There are many, many more highlights and I'll post them as time allows.


Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
cro, HC1968
Recent Posts
pond experience needed
by FishinRod - 03/29/24 10:13 AM
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by jpsdad - 03/29/24 09:57 AM
Can anyone ID these minnows?
by jpsdad - 03/29/24 09:19 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by RogersTailgate - 03/29/24 05:45 AM
New pond middle TN: establishing food chain?
by Bill Cody - 03/28/24 07:57 PM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by FireIsHot - 03/28/24 07:33 PM
Working on a .5acre disaster, I mean pond.
by PRCS - 03/28/24 06:39 PM
Fungus infection on fish
by nvcdl - 03/28/24 06:07 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/28/24 04:48 PM
Yellow Perch Spawn 2024
by H20fwler - 03/28/24 04:29 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by LANGSTER - 03/28/24 03:49 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5