Hi Norm. Just got back from a meeting in Pierre.
As for your question about SMB persistence when LMB enter the picture: I actually just finished a short article for Pond Boss magazine. The pond in question is one you have seen -- the middle pond at Jim's place north of Brookings. As you mentioned, it is a sand/gravel pit.
Anyway, we sampled the pond every other fall. Once LMB gained entrance, the SMB abundance quickly declined, but they did not disappear through four samples (8 years). However, this year we did not get a single SMB of any size during our night electrofishing. All bass were now LMB. I guess there are two primary points: first, the LMB did take over, but second, it took longer than I had expected.
Dave
