This is from Steve:

"We contacted Pond Boss two years ago pertaining to the number of fingerling HSB I was finding in my pond, indicating substantial reproduction. I put 2lb HSB in the pond three times (spring 2007, spring 2008, spring 2010). I had mistakenly thought that I was witnessing aggressive episodes of feeding behavior every year. This time of year I have millions of toad tadpoles. Then I read Eric West’s unbelievably accurate description of spawning behavior. However, I wasn’t expecting the violence of the events. The way I confirmed it was spawning, was the appearance of the oil slick Eric West described. Three nights ago I experienced a particular long violent spawning incident. Last night I was putting dye in my pond and spawning was again occurring. I witnessed about 10 mini-events. Even though they seem like they last forever, each event lasts 5-30 seconds. I was able to capture one on my cell phone for those interested. Ninety percent of this spawning occurs in this small cove (15 feet wide, 100 feet long, rock lined walls, 3-6 feet of water – Eric’s description exactly). I have aeration in the cove which was temporarily turned off while I put in dye. The progeny will be eating AquaMax 600 by late summer. I am sincerely getting concerned that I may be getting too many HSB. They’ve spawned four years in a row. I may have to get one of you guys to shock my pond; but not, I’ve been told by Stacy, until she catches the state record HSB (13#) later this summer. I’ve included a video of the spawning. I might also add that even the spawning events that I have witnessed that didn’t take place in the cove have all been associated with the 1/3rd of the pond that has rock shoreline. I’m going to continue to try to video one of the mega-spawns. The one that I witnessed the night before was so rowdy it sent my dogs running the opposite direction!"

a former discussion about this...

Our HSB spawning VIDEO

that is an awesome pond do you have running water?

Incredible!

He has running water coming in thru a pipe (which sometimes dries up) and he has a backup well if he needs to cool off the trout in extreme quick heat (for our area).... I'll post before and after photos of the pond being built if you want. It still amazes me to this day.

What a great vid !!!! Thanks for sharing. You should try to sell some of the small ones.

I am curious as to the genetic integrity of Fx HSB.

Notice how there is little to any turbidity to the pond. I suspect that along with the aeration is enough to keep the eggs oxygenated and not covered in silt.

I wonder if the offspring would be inferior like other hybrid offspring though?

EDIT - Oops, Travis got in before me. Please keep us updated Stacy. Maybe trap and tag if possible and keep records.

Scott, we'll try. I think that would be an awesome project. He is able to watch how and where the much, much smaller HSB eat as compared to big guys. He hands fed them. Funny enough, we always catch the big guys when I would love to catch one of the babies! Did you see that I'll be catching the state record in a coulple of months? My fly fishing needs some work so I don't embarrass myself but I'm excited! Thanks to good fish food and pond management!

And a ton of HSB to choose from!

My brother and sistern-n-law and kids were fishing at the pond a couple of years ago and heard a rucus in the cove... it was always "what in the world are the HSB doing?" It would scare the dogs,.... you would think a bunch of kids were in there splashing.

It happened several times that night. Of course, my brother would try to catch one there when they did it but I guess they had better things on their mind.

I've watched this behavior in the wild no fewer than fifty times. I've always wanted to videotape it but have never been so lucky. That is just extremely cool. I've also watched it in my aquaculture production ponds. Usually the big female just finds some area in vague proximity to rip-rap and starts churning the surface. The males work the area just a foot or two either side and the fun begins. One funny side note is that I've watched white bass and striped bass spawn, and neither one is like this.