From time to time, the problem of poachers and trespassers comes up for discussion here. But, locally, at least, the real problem is neighbors and �friends.� I discovered when we bought the place with its existing pond and moved out here that I was suddenly a much nicer guy than I had ever known. Lots of people wanted to be my pal. They all, incidentally, also liked to fish. Since almost everyone in this valley is married to their own cousin (and I am not kidding�but they are mostly very nice people), a guy wouldn�t want to make one of them angry unnecessarily.
So the question is how to keep your neighbors� good will while also keeping the ability to go out in the yard and organically water the grass without checking around before taking the equipment out of the shed. (As another pond guy once told me, �If you can�t pee off your back steps when you want to, you might as well live in New York City.�)
My solution has been to ask anyone I don�t know to have someone I do know who already fishes here to call me, first, about them. I sadly mumble something about insurance problems to the few real undesirables. Then, I tell the remainder that they are welcome to fish, and all they have to do is to call me first to make sure the pond is not too crowded at that time. (I�m only thinking of their enjoyment, see.) It is amazing how few people are willing to make that call, and I never hear from the majority, again. Most of them seem to think it spoils the fishing trip if they actually have to ask each time before they come, but they can�t and don�t get really angry about it. If I am not available, my wife has figured out to tell them that only I can make that decision, and to call back later. I get just enough fishing traffic to keep my bass population in balance and I get it when it is not a bother. I also get a minimum of floating beer cans, candy wrappers, and (the thing which drives me up the wall the worst) wads of tangled line, because they know that I know exactly who has been there and when. (As an additional service to them, I suggest they police any trash they might find so I won�t unfairly blame it on them. Ain�t I thoughtful?)
A final note is that I don�t ever allow anyone to �help� me with buying fertilizer or fish food, cutting back brush on the banks, etc. It is human nature to assume an ownership interest in what you have contributed to. In the end, I may get a fisherman or two a week, but never more than that; none of them starts to feel that it is "their" pond; and they come when it is not inconvenient for me.
Any other ideas on this?
Lou
