Sounds like you guys had some fun with this one. That's great!! I'll try to respond to each question/comment and as time goes forward, make some follow-up posts on the progress of this "experiment" as it unfolds or collapses which ever turns out to be the case.
Originally posted by Shorty:
I like it Meadowlark. Now if I can only find one someone wants to get rid of.
Shorty, keep looking. They are out there. I know for a fact.
Originally posted by eddie_walker:
Too bad, it would have been very interesting to see how many Tilapia you could have raised in there.
Any chance you could buy a few just to see what happens? The people who raise them must have some that that they are keeping warm until spring.
Eddie
Eddie, My intent is to overwinter just a few large Tilapia, some Pacus and Texas Rio’s. I believe I can get the large Tilapia from Ken Hale, but if anyone else has a few, I’m interested.
Originally posted by fishinglth:
Meadowlark, tell us about the fishing in Mexico.
Fishinglth, I had a great trip…got my first grand slam, first Permit (and second), a couple of Tarpon, and many Bonefish, You can read a more detailed account at this url, but if you want more details I’m most happy to provide them along with pictures. I love to talk fishing.
http://www.texasflyreport.com/forums/thread.aspx?id=87985 Originally posted by Jersey:
I'm proud just to say I know you, Meadowlark.
Jersey, The pleasure of reading your posts and through them, knowing you, is all mine. Thank you.
Originally posted by Sunil:
At the very minimum, you will have some strong tilapia.
Sunil, I hope you are right, but I’m not as confident as you…I’ve seen my experiments go South before...I’m very capable of screwing this up.
Originally posted by Brettski:
Buff chickens; fish relaxing in the spa tub after a rough day at the offic...er....pond. What kinda place you runnin' down there? What's next...personalized anger management sessions for aggressive RES?
Brettski, RES are one fish I’ve had absolutely no luck with…now a Pacu with an attitude just might be something to behold. RES will flee in terror when they see the Pacu next spring.
Originally posted by Rad:
Better keep your bathing suit on if that is where you are going to keep your pacu.
Rad, yep I hear ya and intend to protect that which is mine!
Originally posted by Theo Gallus:
If you don't have any Tilapia for this Winter, are you going to put in some other fish for a shakedown cruise?
Theo, I’ll find some large Tilapia…but I’m really in hot pursuit of some Pacu I learned about in Mexico. It’s a long story, but I’ve made contact with a family in Argentina that has some huge Pacu with some very interesting characteristics. We’ll see where this experiment goes.
Originally posted by dave in el dorado ca:
you know yer a redneck when you treat yer chickens better than yer family. by far the nicest coup i've ever seen 
D.I.E.D., You should have seen it when I started…no self respecting chicken would dare set foot in that mess. but it has turned into a fine gym…with a lot of sweat and hard work.
EWEST, Bruce is always ahead of me, always.
Originally posted by burgermeister:
Them are some hard one liners to follow, but....
Now, Meadowlark, I've seen and metcha, and you're a purty good sized guy. Them are some good sized chunks of iron on that machine. Who you tryin' ta fool. Keep workin' out so's you can get a good hook set on them pond world record HSB. Welcome back.
Burger, The honest truth is I workout because I want to be able to wade a salt water flat when I’m in my 80’s, catch an Alaskan steelhead on a remote stream, and, God willing, have the muscle stamina to chase Permit across Chetumal Bay. What a way to go!!
Originally posted by bobad:
Ya, agreed those comments are hard to follow. Here's the best I can do:
/
Bobad, Actually I prefer Bud Lite...but the rest probably applies.
Originally posted by Ryan Freeze:
Way to recycle ML! My mother called me last summer with a similar idea for a hot tub left on the property next to her's that she purchased. She is planning on using it for an outdoor mini-pond. Looks like the seats would make a nice place to sit some marginals.
Can't wait to see how it turns out.
Ryan, Very little goes to waste on Meadowlark Ranch, not so much because we have to but because we believe it is the right thing to do.
Originally posted by james holt:
I would like to see a picture of you in the hot tub with the tilapia.
James, You must be still looking for the ultimate terror inspiring “No Trespassing Sign” . That probably would be it.
Originally posted by Sunil:
Ah yes, James. There are so many photos we need to see, and such reluctance to submit them for our candid review.
Sunil, You first.
Originally posted by Cary Martin:
Brettski,
I think the anger management you mentioned was Meadowlark's try at solving the "Mad Cow" problems.
Cary, You think this may actually work?
Originally posted by Dave Davidson1:
When I think of ML and the natural world, I can't help but remember his post regarding the pigs, the trap, and the front end loader. How did we ever get a man on the moon?
DD, Ah yes the pigs…this little experiment may be right up there with the pigs in terms of interesting anecdotes. At the least, I’ll stake a claim to the highest class fish hotel in East Texas.
Then he had carp in the tub until the ferret got them.
