"Necessity is the mother of invention."

Wow Zep, your contractor is a genius.

One thing you might try the next time: Cut a few paths only one or two rake widths wide in the 50% saved smartweed areas. Especially if there is some good cover in the pond just beyond the edge of the smartweed in deeper water.

That way fisherman from shore can cast to that cover, AND sometimes in the spring your biggest bass may actually be lurking in the shallow smartweed and be enticed to strike a bait in the cleared path.

During summer, some smaller bass may be in the smartweed. Once kids are accurate with their casts, they might be able to throw light tackle into the paths and have a great time catching 8-10" bass or big BG on every other cast until they fish out that lane and have to move on to the next one.

I am hoping you and your family have a GREAT year at your pond in 2026!