BZ,
Can be done and it is done out west from what I hear in some exclusive trout ponds. What you need is an experience that is impossible to get anywhere else, as in not only the size of the fish but the premises. And you will need to add large fish from time to time, as some may die no matter how careful the angler is if he releases the fish, and they will get harder and harder to capture in a pond.
If it was me I would have more than one pond for different species and experiences, and production ponds elsewhere on the premises. I assume we are not talking about the run of the mill fish out pond here right?
I have people beg me to fish my ponds when they find out what I have and the size of the fish. Anymore I turn most of them down unless it's someone I trust in angler skills. The problem is some people can't land a large fish to save their life. For some reason they get kind of a "buck fever" and all common sense goes out the window when they get a large fish on. I had one angler loose five large trout in a row (most broke the line because he had the drag set too tight or didn't have a clue on tying the right knot), some floated up a few days later and a few were laying on the bottom rotted when I drained the pond. Needless to say he will never ever be back.
Can be done. Be creative, advertise, and eventually word of mouth will probably be your only needed source of advertisement.
Personally I'll stick to selling the frozen trophy fish to taxidermists all over the country. I can enjoy the experience of fishing myself at my own pace, and get paid for it. Top price so for one fish so far has been $200.00. I may be able to exceed that in two years if my brook trout get over 6 lbs.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 09/01/09 08:58 AM.
