Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Jersey; how 'bout an update

Unless I have completely missed it, I haven't heard much about Jersey's substantial pond accomplishment since he stocked, let alone that unbelieveable home. If you're out there Jersey, how 'bout some pics and an update. If you are OK with some detail, I would absolutely love to see some close up shots of your new palace, hear some construction details, and please link or add some pics to the Human Habitat thread .

One of these days, Jersey's gonna lay out the whole saga for us. When that'll be....anyone's guess is as good as mine.

OK, OK, I give!
I actually moved into the house last month after almost two years of construction. Of course, it's still not finished, I just did enough to get the CO from the county. I'll post some pictures as soon as I can figure out which box has my camera in it.

The pond story, in a nutshell is that I did as several PB'ers suggested and paid a visit to my congressman. He, being an avid outdoors kind of guy, was truly interested in my pond project.

He had heard of the kind of problems I was having and offered to help. I didn't expect too much, but this was my last ditch effort. About 6 weeks went by, and out of the blue, he calls me. He said that he had met with the powers-that-be, and I could go ahead with the project. I asked if he could please provide something a bit more formal, something in writing. He obliged with a very nice letter. That's the short story, but there isn't much more to it.

As you read in my other posts, the pond filled in 3 weeks with just one good rain. My neighbor (Posiedon) and I both irrigate from the pond. He has a 90GPM pump, I have a 15GPM. Between the two of us irrigating at least 12 hours a day, the siphon just has a trickle coming out. It hasn't rained here in over a month, and we are over 15" low for the year..

Greg Grimes stocked me up with a couple thousand fatheads, 350 BG, and about 80-100 RE. I have since added 350 LMB from the state hatchery. (They were about 3/4 - 1" long two months ago.) There is an incredible number of little fish completely surrounding the 2800' of shoreline, I assume they are BG.

The kids are fishing and sometimes catching BG without any bait. I suspect they may be eating size by the end of the summer. (The fish, not the kids) I have seen some LMB that appear to be 2 1/2 - 3 inches now.

I appreciate everyone's interest in my project. I promise to post some pictures real soon.

That's good to hear, Jersey. Keep us updated - I, personally, am interested to learn how long it takes to grow kids to harvest size down South. Up here, they usually don't hit maturity until age 25 or so.

I recall back when you, Jersey, first came to the forum. You were pretty concerned about how others just went ahead and built their ponds without going through all the red tape & hoops.

I also remember back then that I got a little heated and used the term "Chicken Little," trying to understand the reasoning behind your position or more so where you were coming from.

I am very happy for the success of your pond project, and more so, I am very glad that the advice given resulted in your dream coming true.

I'll toast to that later this evening!