Meadowlark,
that is a very zen answer. I think you expressed what many of us feel about it. I expect those ponds to provide enjoyment to the end of my life.
As for the things I would not do again, they have more to do with changing goals, after what I wanted at first does not look as attractive anymore. For example, I would have stocked very few catfish, if any. At first they could not grow fast enough to satisfy me, now I can't eat them fast enough to keep them in check.
I would also have seined out all the swarms of bullheads last spring!
