ok brettski, back one final time.....i know yer done hearing from me, but i cant resist, sorry, this is just too juicy.
the length and diversity of this thread reflects the true complexity of pond (and fish) mgmt. at the same time, you can simplify very quickly. if mental and physical simplification is not attempted, nothing would ever get done.
summarizing the situation.....you have a hole with water. add in some habitat aimed at the type of fish with which you want to start. throw in the fish.
boy oh boy have you not already done most of the hard work?....very jealous in el dorado.
the plan?
as others have suggested, start with the questionably hard to raise fish first, and add the easy ones second if the first batch fail.
a) get some Gams, FHM, and RES in b) get some rocks in, throw some crawdads on top c) get yer YP started d) experts....for SMB stocking, is there a recommended wait period after YP, or stock w/ YP? e) get yer SMB in f) wait, watch, enjoy, bet a quarter you'll be wanting to manage
as much as ML and I have beseeched you to stick to the all american dream of a personal BG pond, hold of on the BG, hold off on the CC, and keep LMB on the back burner to save yer pond sometime......8 to 10 years from now. you will need something more than SMB to prey on the GSF you WILL have.
ML.....not scared ....i would love tilapia, jeffhasapond and i may be researching the permitting issues in CA....it might not be possible without an act of God. i read all of yer tilapia posts with great interest and have learned an unbelievable amount. thanks.
