ALL PONDMEISTERS MUST EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE We recently completed our electoral primaries for our vote on Why do you own a pond? See the Pond vote; election primaries thread for details and results. - To understand the thrust of this election, let's borrow a brief summary from our primary election:
Quote:
This forum is based largely on owning and maintaining private fishin' holes. There is a base core of PB posters that eat, sleep, and drink the pond fishin' stuff. I wonder about the rest of the 3700-some other forum members. In my mind, the real common and binding thread is the pond itself. It just so happens that the most popular by-product is fish and fishing. This makes me wonder what the other pond uses are and who is using and enjoying them for those other reasons. Is it possible that, given a large enough sampling of the pondmeister cross-section, we might find pond-use applications that rival fishing? I say "let's find out".
- The final candidates are now prepared for voter selection. The voting booths are about to open. Let's lay out the ground rules:
You are already registered to vote if you own a pond or are seriously contemplating owning a pond.
A single ballot cast shall consist of your top 5 reasons to own a pond, starting with the most important and descending.
Each pond you own entitles you to one ballot (consisting of your top 5 reasons). For instance, if you own 3 ponds, the voter is entitled to cast 3 ballots; each with a top 5 list. Please keep multiple ballots separated within the post for ease of tally.
Make your selections from the available candidates within the Candidate List below. ALWAYS ENTER THE CANDIDATE NUMBER. The precinct captains also like to see the candidate reason following their number, but it is not mandatory (ie; 9 - swimming hole).
Should the voter be unable to locate his candidate reason within any of the broader categories within the Candidate List, it is acceptable to write in his own candidate. This write-in candidate shall be described as Other (instead of a Candidate Number from the Candidate List), and the voter shall add their own candidate reason (ie; Other - skinny dipping).
- SAMPLE BALLOT
Pond #1 13 irrigate crops 18 erosion control 1 quality private fishery 10 study aquaculture 5 wildlife for hunting
Pond #2 2 enhance land value 11 water livestock 18 erosion control 23 water for fire fighting Other; racing radio control boats - - OK, there ya go. Enter the booth, pull the curtain, and cast your vote for Why you own a pond. - CANDIDATE LIST 1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 3) Ornamental landscaping 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 7) Fish hatchery (commercial) 8) Grow-out pond (to raise young fish for transfer) 9) Swimming hole 10) To study aquaculture 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 12) To water livestock 13) To irrigate crops 14) To provide powered water sports (ie; skiing, jetski) 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing) 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 17) Reduce local insect population (fish eat bugs) 18) Erosion control 19) To create and enjoy the sounds of moving water (ie; waterfall) 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 23) Water source for fire fighting 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
My vote - 4 - affordable water frontage 16 - to provide escape, peace, and relaxation 6 - to attract wildlife for preservation 24 - fun place to gather with family/friends 1 - quality private fishery
Other) It's been a dream of mine since I was a kid. 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 1) Quality private fishery 3) Ornamental landscaping
Pond 1 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 9) Swimming hole 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 11) To study all of nature and/or biology
Pond 2 1) Quality private fishery 10) To study aquaculture 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 8) Grow-out pond (to raise young fish for transfer) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
Pond 3 1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem
I will wait to vote the 2 oxbow lakes and the small unmanaged pond.
5) To attract wildlife for hunting 1) Quality private fishery 10) To study aquaculture 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem
MY VOTE! Pond Under Construction. 1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 23) Water source for fire fighting 13) To irrigate crops 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation
Pond #1 16 Escape, peace, and relaxation 22 Fresh fish for food 12 To water livestock 15 Non-powered water sports 23 Water source for fire fighting
Pond #2 (It's built, it's just not filled yet. Does it get a vote?) 20 Challenge of building 21 Challenge of maintaining 16 Escape, peace, and relaxation 22 Fresh fish for food 12 Water for livestock
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
1) # 1 - quality private fishery 2) # 23 - water for fire fighting 3) # 6 - general wildlife attractant 4) # 2 - enhance property value 5) #16 - place to sit and ponder
16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation 1) Quality private fishery 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 2) To enhance land value 3) Ornamental landscaping
6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation (being a city boy I really like this benefit). 9) Swimming hole (fun except for the darn biting snails) 1) Quality private fishery (will enjoy this more after some additional fly fishing lessons from DIED) 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate (one in which no other property owner can block your view or access). 23) Water source for fire fighting (DIED taught me the value of this).
This was another effect, so far I'm not sure if it's a positive or negative.. 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem
JWHAP'S (jeff's wife has a pond's) reason... To keep JHAP's mind and imagination somewhat occupied so that he doesn't create more chaos around the household than one relatively sane person can cope with. So far it's not working out that well.
JHAP ~~~~~~~~~~ "My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." ...Hedley Lamarr (that's Hedley not Hedy)
1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 9) Swimming hole
There are so many reasons from the list like 1 and 24 ...etc for me but you missed the most important one that is not on your list. Thus I will add it here:
25. Because I do not have the money or land to own a Lake!!!
Last edited by Eric; 09/24/0707:48 AM.
--------------------------------- 1/10 - 1/4 acre pond plus 16 ft deep/ Plus 40 ft by 20 ft by 6 ft deep koi and fathead minnow pond next to it. Upstate NY
24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 9) Swimming hole 12) To water livestock 13) To irrigate crops
The road goes on forever and the party nevers end...............................................
For my first pond: 1) Quality private fishery 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 3) Ornamental landscaping
Second pond: 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 8) Grow-out pond (to raise young fish for transfer) 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 2) To enhance land value
These are my reasons right now. It would be interesting to ask folks who currently have a pond to list the original reason they built a pond versus the current reaasons they like their pond. I bet they differ quite a bit. For instance the reasons I had for my first pond before I built it were: 3) Ornamental landscaping 2) To enhance land value 23) Water source for fire fighting 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate
Note that the reasons at first were nothing but practical. Since then I've discovered the true value of ponds. Maybe I was just trying to trick my wife into letting me build the pond, yeah, that's it, that's what I did!
16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 1) Quality private fishery 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 9) Swimming hole
16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation
2008, 2011 & 2012 conference attendee. Striving to be the person that my dog already thinks I am.
1) Quality private fishery (where I can fish by my own rules and regulations) 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation 24) Fun place to gather with family and friends 9) Swimming hole 15) To provide non-powered water sports
Time for our first, preliminary tally of voters so far. Because of so many candidates, selected within 5 different categories (top 5 reasons Why you own a Pond ), I am going to offer the results in 2 different formats. - The first format will likely be the easier of the two to analyze and see the bigger picture. I simply tallied all the votes, regardless of their location within the top 5 of each ballot. The candidates are arranged in order by votes; first candidate listed = with most votes. The snapshot looks like this: 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 26 votes 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 25 votes 1) Quality private fishery 21 votes 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 12 votes 2) To enhance land value 10 votes 9) Swimming hole 10 votes 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 7 votes 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 7 votes 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 7 votes 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 6 votes 23) Water source for fire fighting 5 votes 3) Ornamental landscaping 4 votes 10) To study aquaculture 4 votes 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 4 votes 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing) 4 votes 8) Grow-out pond (to raise young fish for transfer) 3 votes 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 3 votes 12) To water livestock 2 votes 13) To irrigate crops 2 votes 14) To provide powered water sports (ie; skiing, jetski) 1 vote Other: been a dream since I was a kid Other: just for the heck of it Other: because I don't have the money or land to own a lake 7) Fish hatchery (commercial) 0 votes 17) Reduce local insect population (fish eat bugs) 0 votes 18) Erosion control 0 votes 19) To create and enjoy the sounds of moving water (ie; waterfall) 0 votes
- - The second method of tally is a bit more detailed. It is broken down into the top 5 reasons you own a pond. I extracted all the #1 choices from each ballot and tallied only those. I did the same for each of the remaining #2, #3, #4, and #5 choices from each ballot. The results came out like this: #1 choice (out of top 5) 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 12 votes 1) Quality private fishery 9 votes 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 2 votes 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 2 votes 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 2 votes 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 2 votes 9) Swimming hole 1 vote 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 1 vote 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 1 vote 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 1 vote
#2 choice (out of top 5) 1) Quality private fishery 7 votes 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 5 votes 2) To enhance land value 4 votes 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 3 votes 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 3 votes 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 2 votes 9) Swimming hole 2 votes 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 2 votes 23) Water source for fire fighting 2 votes 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 1 vote 8) Grow-out pond (to raise young fish for transfer) 1 vote 10) To study aquaculture 1 vote 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 1 vote
#3 choice (out of top 5) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 10 votes 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 6 votes 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 5 votes 1) Quality private fishery 2 votes 9) Swimming hole 2 votes 2) To enhance land value 1 vote 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 1 vote 10) To study aquaculture 1 vote 12) To water livestock 1 vote 13) To irrigate crops 1 vote 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing) 1 vote 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 1 vote 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 1 vote
#4 choice (out of top 5) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 6 votes 2) To enhance land value 3 votes 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 3 votes 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 3 votes 1) Quality private fishery 2 votes 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 2 votes 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 2 votes 9) Swimming hole 2 votes 3) Ornamental landscaping 1 vote 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 1 vote 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 1 vote 8) Grow-out pond (to raise young fish for transfer) 1 vote 10) To study aquaculture 1 vote 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 1 vote 14) To provide powered water sports (ie; skiing, jetski) 1 vote 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing) 1 vote 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 1 vote
#5 choice (out of top 5) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 4 votes 3) Ornamental landscaping 3 votes 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 3 votes 9) Swimming hole 3 votes 23) Water source for fire fighting 3 votes 2) To enhance land value 2 votes 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 2 votes 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 2 votes 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing) 2 votes 1) Quality private fishery 1 vote 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 1 vote 8) Grow-out pond (to raise young fish for transfer) 1 vote 10) To study aquaculture 1 vote 12) To water livestock 1 vote 13) To irrigate crops 1 vote 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 1 vote
OK forum members....here is the big pitch (again) The above preliminary tally is based on about 40 posters casting ballots. This forum is comprised of over 3700 members. We have already seen a couple ballots cast by fingerling level members; thank you for your votes! I believe I speak for everybody, particularly the moderators and Bob Lusk, when I say thank you for everyone's participation. Take a look at what we have so far. This is the kind of stuff that guides decisions, provided it is accurate and from a significant cross section. We can have a positive effect on Bob Lusk's thought process as he makes decisions on not only the forum, but the Pond Boss mag itself. We can really take this thing to a new level, but we need participation from everyone. The thread title says that forum members must vote. That's a bit agressive and a turn-off. It's more like forum member, please vote. We need your support. thx/Bski - - (edit; if you voted on the first thread, Pond Vote; Election Primaries, and not this thread, your vote has not been counted. That first thread was only used to elect the candidates. There are a number of the forum comrades that posted on the first election primaries, but did not cast their ballot on this thread...the one that really counts. Please do.
1 Quality Private Fisher 16 Place to escape 21 Maintain a complex ecosystem (or destroy one...whatever) 24 Gathering Place ** OTHER (Create a generational legacy to pass down)
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."
I figure Brettski spent at least 40 hours doing statistics for the above analysis on just 40 ballots. Figuring that the demands on his time to repeat this ciphering will go up with the square of the number of votes, if we can get another 100 or so forum members to list their reasons for owning a pond, he'll be busy until Halloween. Another 200, and he won't darken our digital door again until after the first of the New Year. It's up to YOU.
Theo Gallus President, PB Committee to Keep Brettski Busy
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
Surprisingly great dove hunting if you drain one of the ponds in the fall. I'm actually thinking of doing it early next year on purpose for just that reason.
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
I that think histograms would be a good presentation format with which to digest the data.
An occasional pie chart will also be required.
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."
)Because when I bought the house it was already here )Weight control (I weigh next to nothing when I'm in the water) 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation 9) Swimming hole
Yeah, that dang Green Party has all the right candidates to appeal to the grass-roots. I'm even thinkin' about converting. I forgot all about the advantages of middle-aged buoyancy. - Thanks for the vote, Cam.
Not trying to interfere with your election process but the first, second, third and so on choices for first place, then the first, second, third and so on choices for second place gets a little confusing by the time you get down to fourth and fifth position.
May I suggest simply taking each ballot and giving first choice 5 points, second choice 4 points, third 3 points, fourth 2 points and fifth 1 point. Total the points up and you will have first, second, third and so on listed as the most popular reasons. I'm sure there are simple programs that would do most of the work, free up your time and give the results you are looking for.
Not trying to interfere with your election process
Dan, This is our election process. I'm pleased to see your input and think your idea is very good. When I tallied those preliminary numbers and presented them, I knew that the second set of 5 categories would be nearly senseless. I hoped for organizational input. Thank you for rising to the occassion. - I like your plan. What say the rest of the posters? Any other ideas?
Aw heck; lets just keep Brettski doing it the hard way. A teetotaler has to really hunt for something to do. Yep, a histogram and pie chart also seem in order here. Of course, we will need to see the standard deviation calculation for proof.
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
I reiterate that I had to produce and present 813 charts, graphs, and finite element analysis compilations to the forum before anyone would even acknowledge my presence.
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."
By golly, she's got two new good reasons, Brettski.
You know Theo, If this place hadn't already had a pond when I bought it I never would have had one. I love my pond to death but would have just figured it would have been way too expensive to even have one built and never even checked on it.
Really, around here where the lay of the land is already rolling hills and the earth is clay, you can have a large bulldozer come in and in one day you can have a pond without a great expense. I think if more people were aware that they really don't have to spend as much, in some cases, as they imagine, then a lot more people would have ponds.
Surely someone besides me owns a pond because they bought a place that already had one - then got addicted...
Just as an aside - I thought one of you boys might need this - someone is selling them on ebay for .99 cents
20 Dad & brother had ponds 21 it ain't finished just cause there's water in it 16 rather observe the fish than catch 'em 11 a pond provides a great 'nature' challenge 22 wife & I love to eat fish
I'm due to run the tally again and apply a more coherent analysis of the data (likely the method recommended by Dan Paterson on pg 2/bottom). We can see what it looks like and go from there. As far as closing the polls, I'm thinkin' that this electoral process can feasibly run indefinitely. The idea was to attract ALL the forum members to go to the top of Page 1 of this thread and select their top 5 candidates and cast a ballot. . Voter apathy on such an important matter is a pondal crime.
Is there any way to know how many of the 3812 members are active members? If they haven't logged in once in the last year, can you really count them as members? Where I work, if you do not touch an account for 6 months, the status is automatically changed to 'dormant'. That might work well here.
I'm late to the party, but here are my votes (in order of importance):
2 - To enhance land value 24 - A fun place to gather with family and friends 1 - Quality private fishery 6 - To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 9 - Swimming hole
In order of importance: 1) Quality private fishery 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 9) Swimming hole 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food
1) Quality fishery for myself, father and brother.
21) the challenge of maintaining a complex ecosystem
16) very relaxing after a long day's work.
24) provide a reason for friends and family to visit
22) grow fish and then eat them
write ins....
25) a place to watch my brother fall out of the jon boat
26) a refuge for geese which leave big goose turds all over my pier.
27) a place for my wife to safely sink my body if I buy one more thing from bass pro shops.
28) a place where children can stop to urinate because its too far to the house and they really had to go bad.
29) a handy place to toss the cats when they are particularly annoying.
"One fish. Two fish. Red fish. Blue fish. Black fish. Blue fish. Old fish. New fish. This one has a little star. This one has a little car. Say! What a lot of fish there are." Dr. Seuss
Pond #1 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing) 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 10) To study aquaculture 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 2) To enhance land value
Here is my late list. 16. Escape, peace and relaxation 1. Quality fishery 24. Fun place to gather with family and friends OTHER Financial Investment 21. Family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem
I can't believe that no one else owns their pond as a financial investment. With the rising cost of recreation property, recreational land and pond ownership sure beats the stock market and you get to enjoy it while you own it. It is always amazing to me the dirty, hard work that I will do on my property. I would avoid it like the plague if I had to do some of those chores at home.
1-quality private fishery 5-to attract wildlife for hunting 6-to attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 24-a fun place to gather family and friends
Time for our second tally of voters so far. - As a dedicated PB precinct captain, it is my sworn duty to faithfully tally and deliver election results (the fact that D-ski went to a baby shower so I don't have anybody to bug might also have something to do with my perceived committment). - I'm going to try 2 methods of reporting the tally. The first method will be the same as the first tally. I simply tallied all the votes, regardless of their location within the top 5 of each ballot. The candidates are arranged in order by votes; first candidate listed = with most votes. The snapshot looks like this: - 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 42 votes 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 38 votes 1) Quality private fishery 35 votes 2) To enhance land value 18 votes 9) Swimming hole 16 votes 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 15 votes 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 14 votes 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 13 votes 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 13 votes 3) Ornamental landscaping 7 votes 10) To study aquaculture 7 votes 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 7 votes 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 7 votes 23) Water source for fire fighting 6 votes 8) Grow-out pond (to raise young fish for transfer) 6 votes 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing) 5 votes 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 5 votes 12) To water livestock 5 votes 13) To irrigate crops 2 votes 14) To provide powered water sports (ie; skiing, jetski) 1 vote 7) Fish hatchery (commercial) 1 vote Other: been a dream since I was a kid 1 vote Other: just for the heck of it 1 vote Other: because I don't have the money or land to own a lake 1 vote Other: create a generational legacy to pass down 1 vote Other: reservoir to help maintain another pond 1 vote Other: financial investment 1 vote 17) Reduce local insect population (fish eat bugs) 0 votes 18) Erosion control 0 votes 19) To create and enjoy the sounds of moving water (ie; waterfall) 0 votes - - A couple of notable dynamic shifts from the 1st tally to this new tally:
first, second, and third place remain intact by similar margins
previous 5th place, #2) To enhance land value, has jumped up to 4th place, displacing #6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation dropping it down 2 places to 6th place
#9) Swimming hole...has jumped up from 6th to 5th place
#7) Fish hatchery (commercial) ...finally got a vote
...and some other shifts further down the list, along with 3 new "Other" write-ins
The second method of talley will be the Dan Paterson Formula:
Quote:
May I suggest simply taking each ballot and giving first choice 5 points, second choice 4 points, third 3 points, fourth 2 points and fifth 1 point. Total the points up and you will have first, second, third and so on listed as the most popular reasons.
- I extracted the top five within each top five category and used the DP formula (if you're from Chicago, I'll remind you that DP stands for Dan Paterson in this context). Anyway, this is the final analysis using all the data collected, to date.
1st PLACE (154 delegates) #16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise)
2nd PLACE (136 delegates) #1) Quality private fishery
3rd PLACE (105 delegates) #24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
4th PLACE (31 delegates) #6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation
5th & 6th PLACE (2 way tie) (30 delegates each) #5) To attract wildlife for hunting #2) To enhance land value
7th PLACE (26 delegates) #22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food
8th PLACE (19 delegates) #9) Swimming hole
9th & 10th PLACE (2 way tie) (10 delegates each) #4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate #20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it
Honorable mentions for... 11th and 12th PLACE (2 way tie) (4 delegates each) #23) Water source for fire fighting #21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem
Last edited by Brettski; 01/27/0805:43 PM. Reason: killing time while I think about getting a life
1) Quality private fishery 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 11) To study all of nature and/or biology
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
Yes, it's man, and thanks for the welcome. Been reading voraciously for couple weeks now - so much so my wife thinks I'm definitely up to something in my office...
"How can a hole in the ground take so much time and planning?"
Suffice it to say, if one needs to pose that question, they certainly won't understand the answer.
Cheers, and thanks again. Looking forward to sharing the process of developing my ponds with you all.
Tom Hudson
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
less than 1/8 acre 3) Ornamental landscaping 19) To create and enjoy the sounds of moving water (ie; waterfall) 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 10) To study aquaculture (large fish in small environment)
.85 acres 1) Quality private fishery 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 7) Fish hatchery (commercial) Guided Trout Fishing 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem
1.3 acres 1) Quality private fishery 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 7) Fish hatchery (commercial) Raise fish in cages 10) To study aquaculture 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem
2 acres 1) Quality private fishery 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 7) Fish hatchery (commercial) Raise fish in cages 10) To study aquaculture 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem
3.25 acres 2) To enhance land value 9) Swimming hole 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing) 1) Quality private fishery
25.08 acres 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends (church camps, boys camps, father/son camps, etc) 14) To provide powered water sports (ie; skiing, jetski) 1) Quality private fishery (best fishing in Illinois) 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate (we bought the entire 75 acre property for less than 65k in 2003! Worth about 500k in 2008!) 5) To attract wildlife for hunting (lots of waterfowl!)
Also Brettski, I would have filled out your poll earlier, but dont really read the section that it is posted in. I would suggest moving it to questions and observations or the archives if you want more people to fill it out.
I basically only have time to read the questions and observations. rarely do I venture into the other categories.
My wife and I are a young couple, married less than 2 years currently renting a small house. We like to go riding around in the evenings and do a little sight-seeing. We came across this piece of property in a beautiful neighborhood and fell in love at first sight. We always wanted at least 10 acres and a pond. The property is 10.55 acres with a 4.5 acre pond. We've been blessed!
quality private fishery fresh fish for consumption fun place to gather family, friends attract view wildlife
16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 1) Quality private fishery 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 2) To enhance land value 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 23) Water source for fire fighting 1) Quality private fishery 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 17) Reduce local insect population (fish eat bugs)
Right on the money, Dr Bruce...thx. - ETD, Yep, that becomes a write-in candidate and will be tallied as such (along with the other write-in's) on the next vote-count. Are there not any other reasons that you would want to fill that new hole with water? Anything from the candidate list ? - Thanks for kickin' in! Bski
ewest--you have fun neighbors too? We've got a real winner next door.
"Only after sorrow's hand has bowed your head will life become truly real to you; then you will acquire the noble spirituality which intensifies the reality of life. I go to an all-powerful God. Beyond that I have no knowledge--no fear--only faith."
Most are good people - a few are @** #0!%& . To the second group all property is for them to use. You can tell where they have been - there is a trail of dead stuff and trash.
16 and then 1... Unfortunately, I've came to the conclusion that sooner or later, we all have bad neighbors. We just have some exceptionally bad neighbors.
1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 10) To study aquaculture 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing) 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
All of the above! Ok, choosing one, I would go with 6) as I just love watching the wildlife near and in the water, it's peaceful and tranquil and leaves me in awe every time I'm out there.
Brettski - my #1 reason did not make the candidate list - our pond is our source of water for our home. Unless we qualify as livestock or the perhaps the fire-fighting angle. We live in the country - no city water. And unfortunately we are in an area where very few wells provide water of quality and volume - we drilled 2 wells before going the pond route.
16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 2) To enhance land value 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 1) Quality private fishery
2/3 acre pond 12 miles from that big pond we call Lake Erie.
My bad - after rereading the original request and many replies I see "other" was a common category choice that would have sufficed. I am in Ashtabula County - extreme NE Ahia bordered by PA and Lake Erie. I have two ponds - the first one was built after the wells went dry and is maybe 1/4 acre. Built in 1980. During dry weather it went down low enough to concern me so I wanted more - for water security. Figured I might as well try to make it a nature thing and of course have fish. You guys helped me tremendously. Thanks.
2/3 acre pond 12 miles from that big pond we call Lake Erie.
Hey all, I'm sorry it took me so long to vote. When this poll first started I didn't have a pond, and since I got one I've been super busy. Imagine that.
My Pond (I'll get Cindy to vote when hers is completed.
11) To study all of nature and/or biology 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 1) Quality private fishery
1) Quality private fishery 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
Other; wheelchair accessible water for my wife to fish and kayak 1) Quality private fishery 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing)
My pond: 1) Quality private fishery 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
I guess I'm overdue to re-calculate the tally. Many thanks to these last voters since the last run-off. Please don't think any less of me as a precinct Captain; I'm from Chicago.
Pond #1 (About 4 acres?) 1) Quality private fishery 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
Pond #2 (About 1/3 acre?) 1) Quality private fishery 8) Grow-out pond (to raise young fish for transfer)(to pond #1!) 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation
I would have voted sooner, but since I just found this forum a few weeks ago, I have been reading a LOT of valuable information. I must say that I was not certain as to the depth of my ignorance about ponds.....It went pretty deep! The more I read here, the less ignorance I have...
1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise)
And, one prime reason that wasn't listed. It is the main ingredient in my geothermal heat pump. The highest utility bill so far for over 3000 sq ft home is $160 with the high this summer of $120.
1) Quality private fishery 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 19) To create and enjoy the sounds of moving water (ie; waterfall) 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
Pond Boss Subscriber & Books Owner
If you can read this ... thank a teacher. Since it's in english ... thank our military! Ric
16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation 1) Quality private fishery 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 2) To enhance land value 3) Ornamental landscaping
I built my pond for mainly for recreation, good fishing and attract wildlife, and there is no better place to cool off in those hot summer days than a pond. I also had an erosion problem in the area I built the pond.
1- Quality fishin 5- Attract wildlife 9- Swimming hole 18- Erosion Control 2- Enhance Land Value
I live on a subdivison lake, one of 6. When I purchased the property in 2000 it was for the following reasons. 4 9 15 16 19 When the water quality went south four years later my priorities and interests changed from enjoying the water, to realizing I loved the water. Now my interest is in improving the water, understanding lake ecosystems, evaluating the fishery and improving and managing it for the future, educating residents about Best Mgmt. Practices, changing policies and procedures to protect and preserve the lakes for the future, studying everything about water eco-systems. In short, I want to be a real Lake Steward and do something good in my life, when I look back years from now (if I am lucky) I can say I did something important that made a real difference. The friendships I make along the way with other like-minded people are a big bonus that I did not expect. We own the bottom lands of our lake/pond, it was platted that way, but only on 1/2 of the lake. Sharing water frontage with others makes the management/practices more difficult than if it were a pond I owned or created myself.
HUSBAND AND CAT MISSING -$100 REWARD FOR THE CAT! I subscribe too, but tried and failed at the fish logo.
Lynda, just a thought. You may be able to attract more fish to your area by installing an aerator to provide O2 and improve water quality in your vacinity. That is if you are looking for better fishing.
Thanks Bergmeister: Now I know much more: the fishery has not been managed, some fish were stocked back in the mid-80's. The lake existed before the homes were built, it was a gravel pit. Shallow. Think about this: zero habitat, zero vegetation, like an aquariam with nothing in it. Pallet structures are out, swimming and diving, so we are going to have to create some safer lower type places, there are no docks, nothing in the bottom. Can't understand, no natural fish kill since I have lived there, wouldn't that mean there is enough D.O. in there?
HUSBAND AND CAT MISSING -$100 REWARD FOR THE CAT! I subscribe too, but tried and failed at the fish logo.
No Bergmeister: Don't know how to put photos on the computer. Maybe this winter Margaret can come over and we can figure it out. Have lots of photos of white scum, green bubbles, neon water with what we call "stretch marks." Also have photos of beautiful clear blue water-we will get back to it, because we won't give up, and because it is all solvable, it just takes tenacity, perseverance,teamwork, money and knowledge, and hiring the right people. We have made amazing progress fighting our our H.O. Association (living in Stepfordville full of original owners who don't care). I think it is like a pyramid scheme; if you bought early you paid little for beautiful water, had extremely low dues, and will do well whenever you leave. For those like me, well it has become pretty much a full time job. So if you see Margaret and I on the news chained to the South Blvd. drain to get it diverted, don't be surprised.
HUSBAND AND CAT MISSING -$100 REWARD FOR THE CAT! I subscribe too, but tried and failed at the fish logo.
1) Quality private fishery 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 9) Swimming hole 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation
1) Quality private fishery 5) Some limited hunting 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 25) A safe close to home place to give the dogs some water training (Springer Spaniels)
Last edited by esshup; 02/24/0908:45 PM. Reason: typo
Thought I'd already voted, but oh well. Here goes. For both ponds...
1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 5) To attract wildlife for hunting
In a lifetime, the average driver will honk 15,250 times. My wife figures I'm due to die any day now...
1- Quality Privat Fishery 20- The Challenge of Building it 21- The Challenge of Maintaining a complex Ecosystem 24- A fun place for Family and Friends 16- Peace, escape, and relaxation
#1 Quality private fishery #24 Fun place to gather with family and friends #16 Provide Escape, peace and relaxation #5 Attract wildlife for hunting #6 Attract wildlife for viewing
My vote: #24........ A fun place to gather with family and friends! We love having family over to fish, talk and fellowship down at our pond. We want to get the pond really producing so we can have some of the older folks at out church come over and catch fish. Our goal is to host a Sunday School party at our home, catch fish and fry 'em up there!
#16 as well... after a day at the Mill...I walk down and sit in my swing and just watch.....
Pond #1 (1/2 acre): 24 - fun with family/friends 11 - study all of nature and/or biology 16 - escape,peace, and relaxation 6 - attract wildlife for viewing 21 - personal challenge of managing complex ecosystem
Pond #2 (1.5 acres): 1 - develop quality private fishery 24 - fun with family/friends 15 - non-powered water sports opportunities 16 - escape, peace, and relaxation 21 - personal challenge of managing complex ecosystem
1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 3) Ornamental landscaping 4) Provide affordable and convenient water frontage real estate 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 17) Reduce local insect population (fish eat bugs) 18) Erosion control 19) To create and enjoy the sounds of moving water (ie; waterfall) 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
And the original reason .. one which is not listed ..
To take advantage of a a natural water source on my property
1) Quality private fishery 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 9) Swimming hole 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
13 acres, 5 ponds 1 still working FHM, Shiners, CC, SMB, WE, Yellow Perch living the dream
I cannot complete registration so I cannot complete my all members MUST vote requirement. I don't own a pond. I am not contemplating owning a pond, ever. People buy them and pay me to manage them. Not only do I get to do whatever I want, whenever I want, I get paid to do it.
24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 9) Swimming hole 1) Quality private fishery 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing)
1) Quality private fishery 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem
This old thread showed up recently, and here are a few more thoughts . . .
I got home this evening to the east-coast from a rather stressful 4-day west-coast business trip. I've had very little time at home, or at my pond, in the last several weeks.
When I got home this evening, it was early enough to still have some daylight. I took a fishing pole, rigged with a small rubber salamander, to the pond. The pond was really active because of lots of bugs flying just above water level. Before I even got to the water, two deer spotted me, and showed their disdain. They slowly wandered off to into the thickets, where they continued to snort their disdain at me. Just as I made my first cast, something else caught my eye. It was a flock of turkeys. I counted twelve. They scurried into the woods.
That first cast hooked a small bass. Then I caught a monster male bluegill in full regalia mating colors. As I got around the back side of the pond, I caught two more bass and a trout. Then I heard several snorts behind me. There were ten deer at the opposite corner of the pond expressing their displeasure at me being in their territory. As I made eye contact with them, several continued to snort, but they all slowly drifted into the woods and quickly became invisible in the camouflage of the brush.
I hauled in one more medium size bass, and it was time for dinner.
What more describes the pleasure of owning a pond?
16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 19) To create and enjoy the sounds of moving water (ie; waterfall) 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 23) Water source for fire fighting 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
This old thread showed up recently, and here are a few more thoughts . . .
I got home this evening to the east-coast from a rather stressful 4-day west-coast business trip. I've had very little time at home, or at my pond, in the last several weeks.
When I got home this evening, it was early enough to still have some daylight. I took a fishing pole, rigged with a small rubber salamander, to the pond. The pond was really active because of lots of bugs flying just above water level. Before I even got to the water, two deer spotted me, and showed their disdain. They slowly wandered off to into the thickets, where they continued to snort their disdain at me. Just as I made my first cast, something else caught my eye. It was a flock of turkeys. I counted twelve. They scurried into the woods.
That first cast hooked a small bass. Then I caught a monster male bluegill in full regalia mating colors. As I got around the back side of the pond, I caught two more bass and a trout. Then I heard several snorts behind me. There were ten deer at the opposite corner of the pond expressing their displeasure at me being in their territory. As I made eye contact with them, several continued to snort, but they all slowly drifted into the woods and quickly became invisible in the camouflage of the brush.
I hauled in one more medium size bass, and it was time for dinner.
What more describes the pleasure of owning a pond?
Ken
Cat,
You said it all right there!! You can spend as little as 30 minutes around your pond and everything seems better doesn't it? It really is quite amazing how calming it is and stress free! I wish I could spend more time at mine! I go up there for the day and it's like before I know it I have to leave and go home and I am not ready to go! I live for the day I have my cabin built there so we can spend weekends at the pond and not have to leave so quickly. Great post Cat!
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
1) Quality private fishery 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 9) Swimming hole 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
CANDIDATE LIST 1) Quality private fishery 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 8) Grow-out pond (to raise young fish for transfer) 9) Swimming hole 13) To irrigate crops 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 17) Reduce local insect population (fish eat bugs) 19) To create and enjoy the sounds of moving water (ie; waterfall) 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
CANDIDATE LIST 1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 3) Ornamental landscaping 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
The top three take proirity being from a farming family. The rest are extra benefits of owning many different ponds in various locations around my hometown.
16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 9) Swimming hole 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 3) Ornamental landscaping 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 23) Water source for fire fighting 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 2) To enhance land value
I thought about this prev. thread last night on why we own a pond. This is my wife with her 92 yr. "young" grandmother. She talked about this fishing trip the rest of the evening, and what a good time she had fishing.
"I have not failed, I have only found 10,000 ways that won't work" Thomas Edison
(1) was my original top priority but that has since shifted to others
1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
Why do I own two ponds? Well, they came with the land I purchased. I have 6 grandchildren that love to fish. I love to fish. I raised angelfish and sold them to fish stores. I was in the Navy. Therefore I like/love water and aquatic life. Nuff said.....
Warning: My Dog Has A Gun And Refuses To Take His Meds!
Wow, I missed this. But since I am never one to disobey and I am very civic minded, here's my vote: 1. Quality Private Fishery 2. A private place for escape, peace and relaxation 3. Fun private place to gather with friends and family 4. Swimming hole that is private 5. Enhance property values
1.To show your kids they can do anything they want in life. 2. A private sanctuary to hunt, FISH, swim, drink beer, and view GODS creations all around and to get away. 3.SO that you own your OWN LAKE!!!!
pond #1, the 'trout pond' 1) fishing for my kids 3) beautify view from house 9) swimming in the summer 13) backup water for crops 22) fried fish or fish on the grill
pond #2, the 'frog pond' 6) attract wildlife 12) water cattle 18) improve water cycle in pastures 19) waterfall 24) frog catching for kids
lots more good reasons too, but I followed the instructions carefully. living in a semi-desert, water is life, and a beautiful sight at all times.
Pond#1 3) Ornamental landscaping 5) To attract wildlife for hunting 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 20) A family or personal challenge of actually building it 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
Pond#2 1) Quality private fishery 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
The main reason I own a pond is they threw it in for free when I bought my house/land. Little did I know how much I would enjoy it...
1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 6) To attract wildlife for viewing and/or preservation 9) Swimming hole 10) To study aquaculture 11) To study all of nature and/or biology 15) To provide non-powered water sports (ie; canoeing, rowing) 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
I finally have enough water to call what I have, a pond. Ha So, here's my vote:
1 private fishing 16 peaceful escape 24 fun place for family gatherings, and (9 swimming) 5 attract wildlife 2 land value.
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
16, 1, 21, 3, 6 I had to think about this for awhile, I do enjoy a challenge and this subject seems plenty complicated enough. The relaxation is also important. My wife is already retired, 6 more months for me, and I can sit on the dock and drink some German Hefe Weizen and feed the fish. Also, I'm sure the grandkids will love it.
1. Occupy my time to keep me out of the beer joints (truth be known I don't even care for beer much anyway).
2. Occupy my time to keep me from chasing wild women. Funny thing is, my wife has lots of girlfriends but allows me none. Every time I ask she says no. Look but don't touch are her sage instructions and I follow them to the letter.
3. Get rid of all excess money so I will not have any to go to the beer joints and chase wild women even if I wanted to.
I like having something special to share with my wife, kids, grandkids, and good friends. Fish of course, but not just that: Water birds, deer, frogs, toads, raccoons, you name it.
Also, I keep learning new things in the attempt to maximize the BOW potential. Learning stuff is fun.
I caught my first bass in my great grandfathers pond in Magee, MS wearing a purple tie dye shirt. I got so spastic I couldn't reel that Z101 so just turned around and ran down the levee. I want to share that same great memory with all of the young chaos in my family and friends etc.
Love to catch cook and eat fish.
It's hot as hell down here 4 months of the year and we have a floating dock with diving board, etc and a damn good place to drink beer and chase the only wild women I'm allowed to chase))
Aesthetics.....looking out the windows of my home I see a beautiful 5 acre pond that's holds water like a jug.
All of this is a blessing from the Great Weighmaster above))
PS I try not to think of the money I spend and only focus on the above and increase in value of land.
I built (own) my bigger pond to improve my real estate investment. And the sediment pond (fathead pond) to reduce sediment in the big pond. Seams like it is one thing or another thing most all the time to keep the original investment a good investment.
And I have been a fish nut kinda guy for most all of my life. It all started on a farm I grew up on in Okla, where we had a fishing pond.
Funny things is, when I left the farm in OKla, I said I would never own another cow, pig, goat , horse, chicken etc, and I don't, I wanted the freedom one has when they don't have to take care of farm animals. But Dam, I did not realize when I built this pond it would take management most days or until I get to where I want to be with the fishes.
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
9) Swimming hole 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 21) A family or personal challenge to maintain a complex ecosystem
1) Quality private fishery 2) To enhance land value 16) To provide escape, peace, and relaxation (therapeutic or otherwise) 22) To provide safe, fresh fish as food 24) A fun place to gather with family and friends
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I live for the day I have my cabin built there so we can spend weekends at the pond and not have to leave so quickly. Great post Cat!
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