My small 1/3 acre trout pond is doing well and we have many various sizes of rainbows thriving on our pellet feed. A recent problem has come up though. The pond is located near the middle of a wind-swept meadow that gets heavy wind sometimes upwards of 20 mph every day and is pounding the water into our clay banks. This has become a year round problem, and I assume is responsible for the muddy water problem. The visibility is less than 3 inches, and the trout have a hard time finding any food (or lure) other than the pellets we feed. I have done some searches and brainstormed a few possible solutions. The most expensive solution is too just layer the rim of the pond's water edge with some type of rock to stop the water from hitting the clay. However, because the water level fluctuates a lot during the year the rock would need to be layed up to 5 feet down into the water, and that much rock is expensive. The second solution I have read of is the use of burlap to stake around the water's edge in the same way the rock was layed. This may be cheaper, and I think efficient, but the burlap may have a short life span.

Suggestions? Any one else have a similar problem with high winds hitting the bank causing muddy water? All input is welcome and greatly appreciated.

- Jighead