ML :

I did not intend to give the impression in my last post that adding forage fish would not greatly reduce the need to feed or fert. To the contrary. I think you can do exactly that if you know what to do and when and have access to the forage fish. I think you can remove a big part of the base of the food chain and manage around it. I believe I can and sometime fully intend to take one of our ponds that is very clear and great for swimming and not fert. or feed and have large BG/RE and med. bass { 2-4 lb avg.} just by manipulating the type , size , timing , number and variety of forage fish and possibly in addition using frogs , bugs and crawfish . But that is for another day when I have time to monitor the pond much closer and can grow out the forage fish or at least some of them myself. I think a clear {visa. 4-6 ft.} pond with the above described fish would be great for fly fishing or light line finesse fishing.

The person in question who made those mistakes with the pond was not a paid pond mgr. He was a family member {extended} who is a very good big water fisherman. But he does not know much about pond mgt. or science. Fifteen years ago most people had not heard of pro. pond mgrs. around here. The pro pond mgt. buss. was just getting established .

I have not seen your study only the PB article. I would be interested. email is [email protected].

There are others studying these things. Many of them are Prof. , pro pond mgrs. or gov. employees/game&fish types . They are busy this time of year or are not fourm members. I will send you a copy of the article I mentioned if you send me an address. Can't email not digital. Will also forward a card for a free copy of mag. it came from. Thanks. ewest

PS-- My prior posts in responce to Woody were intended to address only the specific actions and circumstances of his probable situation . In my opinion there are many ways to manage a pond but if you are contemplating an action that will jerk the food chain out of balance much fore-thought should be taken before hand.