After some good weeks of colder temps that gave the pond ice over a few times with several days of snow, we've had a run of days over 50 degrees with today being 65 degrees.

I got down to the neighborhood pond and was pleased to see the water level high, and a nice greenish tint to the water with clarity of maybe 2-3'. I didn't see any signs of fish until I was a walking around the perimeter to where I feed from, and I saw an adult LMB bolt out of the shallows to deeper water. When I set up my feed area, I quickly saw another LMB suspending and lurking and then several more with some larger bluegill. Water temp was 47 degrees.

I threw out some Grower of which maybe 20% of it sinks. Both the bluegill and bass started taking the sinking pellets. After soaking some Bluegill, Bass, and Handthrow, I tossed some of that in, and sinking parts got taken immediately with vigor. Eventually, they all started taking the floated feed too.

I was just wondering where the Golden Shiner Brigade was when I spotted and errant Golden Shiner Scout. He was followed by the charge. Some of these GSH have to be over 8/9", and really fat.


All in all, it was a pleasant surprise and a joyous time getting to see the fish and having them take feed!!!

I'll take it as portents for a great new year.

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."