Many thanks, All!
Meadowlark, I like the idea of gambusia. They would indeed have plenty of shoreline habitat. I guess my greatest concern would be just how much impact they would have on the bug life in my pond.
I have a good friend who's an entomolgist, and he started doing collections in the pond last December. His preliminary findings are that the pond has lots (and he meant LOTS) of damsel fly nymphs and dragonfly nymphs. What was far more surprising (to me, at least) was the number and diversity of bugs I would consider as trout stream insects: mayflies and caddis. My friend explained that my pond is actually more "like a big pool on a spring stream," hence all the stream insects. Oh, yeah, and I forgot to mention midges. On almost any mild day in winther through late spring, there seems to be some kind of midge activity; and the tout sure seem to love them (but not as much as pellets!)
So, I guess my concern with gambusia might be impact on bug life. But then again, if it's a good, dependable forage base, I should explore them a bit more.
By the way, I should mention the fly this sunfish took. It was a very basic "Fly Tying 101" fly if there ever was one -- a #8 black Woolly Worm!
Sure am sorry I couldn't get out to the first Pond Boss conference -- I won't let an opportunity like that slip by me again. -- Mike
