Cecil --

There is a small amount of filamentous mixed in, but that is actually the chara that has emerged (since December) and sort of "crowned out." Once it hits the surface it appears to bleach out very rapidly.

This view above is about the very worst chara patch in the pond, with access pretty much limited to treatment by boat.

I removed a fair amount yesterday with a lake rake and weed cutter, but that stuff really weighs a ton. I had to quit after about an hour. That's why I was hoping there might be some magic "silver bullet" for chara control in winter.

Today we're having snow and ice -- maybe that will slow it a bit. Anyway, my aging and aching shoulders are happy about the cold weather -- I need the rest!
-- Mike Smith, Lexington, VA

p.s. The brookies I stocked are hanging on, despite two slugs of brown water from storms ... and a very persistent great blue heron. You can see on the right in the picture some of the twine I've strung to limit the heron's flight path and landing areas.