One thing I've noticed when catching SMB now, they still look great, and fight great, but seem more slick or slimy when holding them. I think it may have to do with the warmer water at the surface, but 2' down, it's still pretty cool.

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