Thanks for the replies! I have contacted Castaline Trout Farm in Goshen, VA about purchasing some trout from them, I think they're the closest place to me that raises fish and they're about an hour away. Has anyone ever done business with them before? The pricing they quoted me was $1.00 for 8-9 inch fish, $1.20 for 9-10 inches, $1.75 for 10-12 inches, and $2.15/pound for fish over 12 inches for rainbows, add 20 cents to those rates for golden rainbows. They said they have 55 gallon drums that they will loan out with a 100% refundable deposit for transporting fish. Do these prices seem reasonable?
catmandoo - I live in Stuarts Draft, about 10 minutes from Staunton. and close to the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This pond is fed by runoff and has been sitting half full since November so if there isn't a lot of rain this spring I'd be surprised if any make it past mid-May, if we get a lot and it fills up some may live into mid June.
CJBS2003 - If this stocking works out I'll definitely look at a higher stocking rate in the fall. I think I'm looking at a four month survival maximum, probably will be closer to three. Having to spend a little more time fishing to catch them out won't bother me at all
I think I will wait until the weather has taken a turn for the warmer to stock the bluegill and channel catfish, probably mid-May or so.
esshup - As far as feeding, how much flexibility would I have with feeding times? I work 6am-6pm for two weeks then the opposite for two, so I wouldn't be able to feed them at the exact same time every day. I could do 7am and feed after I get off when I'm on nights and on days I'm off when working days.(I only work 7 of 14 days) Would missing a couple days here and there be a huge problem? Also, is it better to concentrate all the feed in one spot or is it ok to walk up, say, a stretch of bank throwing it out as you go?
