In our area, this is the a very good time of year to transfer trout.
I've got to believe that Byran has a way of packaging the fish to make it to your pond, like filling the transport bags with oxygen. But, trout are one of the most difficult fish to transfer because of oxygen deprivation -- at least for me.
The trout dealer I worked with for a number of years had transport tanks with aerators that he provided free of charge. The only caveat was that the tanks had to be returned by the next day.
I have a 40-gallon aerated transport tank, which is OK for about twenty-five 12-inch trout, for less than an hour transport. Even then, I add a ten pound bag of ice, and about a cup of Kosher (non-iodized) salt to the water after the fish are loaded into the water. A few years ago, my aerator died, and I had to stop about every ten miles to provide manual respiration to the trout.
Call before you buy, and make sure they have a way of preparing the fish for transport.
Warm water fish like bass, bluegill, and catfish are much easier to transport.
I'd rather eat a bluegill or catfish, but trout are unequaled for fun in ponds, and they are extremely beautiful.
If you need "experts" to verify the success of your stocking plan, I believe I could probably arrange for a fish fry picnic research project at your site.
Ken
