What a great time! John and Carolynn did a great job preparing for and hosting this event. John's ponds are fascinating. He's got a variety of fun ponds full of fish.
A little housekeeping...I had a box of Pond Boss swag and forgot to leave it there. For those of you who attended, private message me your addresses and I'll send it.
Teach a man to grow fish... He can teach to catch fish...
Really sounds like a great get together. Sorry I missed it..
12 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (decreasing), SMB, and HSB (only two have been seen in 5 yrs) I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023.
It was a great event. Thanks to Bob Lusk for making the trip up and fielding all the pond questions everybody had. Bob was busy in a number of very interesting discussions at about every moment he was here. I know I got questions answered about my bushy pond weed and he gave me tips for better hybrid identification. Way too many discussions for me to recall what they were all about but about every step around the different ponds raised new questions and discussions. Everybody that attended had the chance to get burning questions answered.
Some pictures below. I did a lousy job documenting the event but thankfully Bob and my daughter also took some shots so you can get a flavor of what was going on.
Attendees: don't forget to send Bob a PM private message with your address so he can send you some free stuff he forgot to leave at the get together.
I'm the guy with the long crappie pole. I pulled out dozens of BG and hybrids. One BG was about a pound, plus caught a CC about 2 lbs, which was a big fight on that limber pole and tiny jig.
A little more housekeeping. Dustin at Optimal Fish Food sent me an overnight package of goodies to give out. Well over night in rural Kansas means the first of the week if it is sent on Friday. So I got the package Monday, after the event was long over. I was supposed to remind him of the event a week or two ahead and it slipped my mind. My bad.
I just wanted to say I had a great time at your get together John. Your ponds were very nice, manicured to perfection! All the work you put into them shows, and I'm glad you recorded all the information about them in detail for us to read on the forum. I was also very happy that Bob Lusk was there to answer our questions and share his vast knowledge. Thank you very much John for hosting the event.
While I was at your party I forgot to show you my throw net ring. It is made by ProKast and it is called the Perfect Circle Net Thrower. It's a blue ring you place in your throw net to help you throw perfect circles every time. I believe it's available threw Bass Pro. I was just going to tell you about it because it helped me to significantly throw better casts everytime with my throw net. [img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/giMSeoA7c1MTY27e8[/img]
That would have been a pond record for me. My BG are plentiful but not especially large.
I'm glad you caught it. Now at least I know there is one out there.
Yes, I caught it while you were out on the ATV showing your ponds. Probably about 10 AM. It was about a 10 incher. Biggest BG I have caught in a long time.
While I was at your party I forgot to show you my throw net ring. It is made by ProKast and it is called the Perfect Circle Net Thrower. It's a blue ring you place in your throw net to help you throw perfect circles every time. I believe it's available threw Bass Pro. I was just going to tell you about it because it helped me to significantly throw better casts everytime with my throw net. [img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/giMSeoA7c1MTY27e8[/img]
That is cool. Never heard or seen such a thing.
The biggest thing I have noticed to mess up a throw is if the rope catches the lead line. Almost a sure taco. I have discovered it is very important to coil the rope a certain way and consistently. Sometimes I was just wadding it up and invariably when I did the rope would catch the lead line. I wonder if maybe that blue ring helps with that?
Don't forget to do a PM to Bob and Dustin (Optimal) with your address so they can send you some stuff. Well worth your time. Dustin has made some very generous promotional gifts for the get together.
That would have been a pond record for me. My BG are plentiful but not especially large.
I'm glad you caught it. Now at least I know there is one out there.
Yes, I caught it while you were out on the ATV showing your ponds. Probably about 10 AM. It was about a 10 incher. Biggest BG I have caught in a long time.
I have caught a 10" hybrid before but a 10" pure BG would be bigger. Cool.
I found the blue ring to mainly just help you cast the net in a perfect circle everytime. I bought it when I was a young teenager and had difficulties throwing a throw net without it "tacoing" everytime. I still have to hold the lead line neatly coiled as you mentioned though.
First off, a big huge Thank You to John and family. I am a frequent reader of the forum but not a real frequent poster. As such, I was more or less a complete stranger, nothing more than a nickname on a forum, and you welcomed me into your home. I had wonderful time chatting with and listening to everyone and just absorbing all the different things everyone is doing with their ponds. It's not everyday that I get to be around people as "pond crazy" as me. Thanks again to all!
I sure wish Cathy and I could have made it!!! Friday turned out to be a long day and we decided to stay home rather than risk getting tired driving....Glad it was a great success!!!
.gif)
