Hey all, been out awhile and wanted to share a new plan going forward.
The Wife and I decided to sell the farm and change gears a bit, my health has not been the best this summer and due to some pretty drastic weather and stupidity on my part, we lost 99% of my SMB brood stock.
The new owners have contracted me to stay on for 3 years and teach what I can for 2-3 species and how best to plan it out.
We were offered a considerable amount more than what I thought it would be worth and I decided I would be absolutely stupid to pass it up.
If I've learned anything, it's not something you learn to do right in 10 years, the knowledge base you MUST have to go into this is nothing more than a license to learn and most importantly, Mother Nature will kick you in the sweet spot right when you think you know a thing or 2.
2027 will be my 40th year working with the state and I think it takes 30 years before you really start to grasp how much control you DON'T have in this business.
I'm keeping the Pond management and consultation side as well as all of my hauling equipment, so I will focus a bit more on that side.
I have accomplished many things in this, I have no regrets so I'm walking out with a slight smile.
One of my goals since 2017 was to be a Moderator on PondBoss but just haven't received that request from Lusk so I can't scratch that off of my list yet.
Many of you here have helped me more than I could ever repay. I came here after reading an article Bill Cody and Eric West wrote for Bass Resource years ago and if everyone seeking help would spend some time here and really LISTEN, the Mentors could truly Teach. Few like it when you tell them the truth, then they pay the dumb tax and it starts over. It's a TUFF game to master and I'm not there yet.
From here, I'm taking on another business I've been involved in for a couple of years as a field test participant and the opportunity came up to buy the business, so I did. Big Eye Spinnerbaits, "Eye Candy for Walleye TM", which will become available sometime in the very near future on the Aquatic Specialties site-yes, I'm keeping the business name.
I can do it from home, and the demand is good. I've also discovered these baits catch not only gigantic Walleye but huge HSB, Stripers, big Northerns, Musky and Ironically some HUGE trout in the north country.
Guys/gals, I appreciate all here that have become friends, customers, teachers and have supported me through it all and as I've said, I'm going to stay active in consultation and management, so I plan to be around a bit more often and to Mr. Bob Lusk, I thank you greatly and consider you to be a dear friend and a fantastic mentor. I only hope I can achieve 1/10 of the knowledge and know-how that you possess.
I'll be around, so thanks to all for everything!