ewest, I can't take credit for the smallies. They've only been in my pond since this past April 18, '05. I have had the off-spring from these large SMBs in my pond for the past two and three years and the biggest ones of those year classes are 10-12" long. The big ones are the brood stock from a S. IL. hatchery.

All I can say is that I've been a good steward to them and will continue to do so. Man I love those fish.

The LMB has been in my pond for a long time, as I haven't stocked anything in that size range. He was most likely about 5lbs although we never weighed him.

Thanks for the kind words about the family.

Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."