Model unanimity about the warm weather dominating the next two weeks continues; estimates put average 6-10 day temps nearly 20-degrees above normal
This is probably the earliest and warmest springtime I've ever seen in my 64 years. The ponds are going crazy. Everything seems to be in bloom.
The frogs are having a good time. I've seen lots of them giving "piggy-back" rides to their friends in the pond. They've left lots of pollywog jello in every wet spot on my property. This is two to four weeks earlier than most years.
I've been trying to get the crappie out of my pond ever since we bought this place seven seasons ago.
I took five fat worms out of my worm bin this morning and went to the pond. I got a monstrous male bluegill that went back immediately. I got a about an 8 inch crappie who went into the bottom of a 2-gallon bucket with a little water in it. I also got four nice 8-9 inch bluegill for tonight's dinner. About 8:00 AM, I brought the bucket up to my cleaning station. I threw some ice in it. About five hours later I went to fillet these five fish. The four bluegill were dead, and were easily filleted and skinned. I went to grab the crappie at the bottom of the bucket. He was still alive, laying on his side, and wanted nothing to do with being filleted.
The fish was still so pretty, and it looked so happy, I put it in an aquarium I just pulled out the green house that was used for some plants. The question is, "now what?"
The catfish in the floating cage don't seem to be the least bit fazed, but ...
.... "The Girls" who watched this whole thing may be worried.
Time to finish cleaning the chicken coop.
So, what does springtime look like at your pond??
Ken
P.S. I know that spring has really sprung. I was getting some things in the Wal-Mart garden section yesterday. Several individuals, all of whom topped at least 300 lbs., were in way-too-small tank tops, shorts and flip-flops, and were showing off their tattoos.
