As I have mentioned previously, we have, for health reasons, sold our place and are moving into the city. As of May 1, the new owner, a truly nice guy, is moving in and taking over. We will continue to live in a smaller house on the place until our condominium is ready, probably in September, but it won�t be our pond.
Over the years, I have made many �friends� out here. Most are true friends, and we will miss them fiercely. Others, however, are actually friends of the pond, especially this time of year. The pond is big enough that I worry more about underfishing than overuse. I almost always say yes to anyone whom I know and who has proven to be a good guest, but I have always enforced a policy of �call first� before anyone comes fishing. Coming to the door to ask with rod in hand won�t do, and since we can see almost all the pond from the house, poachers have not been a problem.
I have a few tips about �fishing friends� for anyone living on their pond. These seem to have been useful for me, and maybe they will be for some of you. For one thing, I tell almost everyone no at least once a year, just to be sure that they don�t forget that they are guests and not part-owners. I have also always refused offers to help out with the pond, because I don�t want anyone to think they have purchased the right to fish because of their labor or material. I keep the boathouse locked and don�t let anyone use my boat, because when I go fishing, I want everything to be just the way I left it. I also go take a look at any boats I do allow on the water to be sure they haven�t just come out of some weed-infested slough and that there are no minnow buckets aboard. If I don�t already know someone (and it is surprising that some people who have never met the owner think that a cold call is all it takes to get an invite), I don�t let them come. I tell them that if a mutual friend is willing to talk to me and vouch for them, they might be able to fish occasionally. None of those has ever called back. Finally, I don�t let more than one party of fishermen a day use the place. If I find trash, I want to know whose it is, for they are never allowed back.
But, now, I have been telling anyone who calls not to ask me anymore after April 31. In fact, I have told them not to ask the new owner unless they already know him. He deserves a fair shot at choosing for himself who his fishing friends will be. I have recommended only two people to him, both in their 80's, and both of whom sincerely offer to help. One of them knows my wife�s weakness for boiled (yuk) peanuts, and frequently brings her a coffee can of them when he comes.
It really hasn�t sunk in yet that we are leaving, and I know we will miss the place once we do. But, time moves faster and faster, and we move slower and slower, so I am thankful for a childhood dream coming true for a decade and a half. I am also thankful for PondBoss and for all of you, all of the good advice I have been able to put into practice, and all the laughs you have given me. I hope to continue to keep up with this forum, and I have saved all my old magazines for the new owner to enjoy. I also hope the new owner will get as much pleasure out of Lusk and Friends on the net as I have.
Thanks for everything,
Lou
