http://www.nefga.org/forum/ A place for Nebraskans to discuss issues specific to farm pond management. en Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:16 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.nefga.org/forum/images/smoothred/misc/rss.png http://www.nefga.org/forum/ http://www.nefga.org/forum/showthread.php?51368-Dream-Come-True&goto=newpost Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:02:56 GMT Just wanted to fill those who are interested in on what's been going on in our world. Shortly after my marriage just over a year ago, my folks purchased some land here in Nebraska. It will be a collaberation project between my parents, wife, and I.
After nearly a year of trying to manage the property from Colorado, my wife and I got impatient and decided it best to move back so we could really get involved in the intitial planning stages. Every aspect of land management has been a learning experience, especially when we're looking at it as a large scale art project and trying to create a slice of Nebraska pie that has been inspired by Monet's water lillies, endless music, and childhood memories of growing up in this beautiful and diverse state. Finally, on to the pond!
The highlight and selling point of this property is a 4 1/2 acre pond that acts as a center piece to the land. Both my wife and I are avid fishermen, and it's our goal to create a fishery that our family and friends can enjoy for years to come. It had previously been stocked with LMB, BLG, CCF, and there are rumors of a 7ft. pike roaming the shallows. I will take a moment to thank the DarkArcher for keeping an eye on it while we were away. His contributions gave us a big head start to accomplishing our goals and while acting as a diversion, his plastic frog saved the lives of countless real ones!

Here is a short list of the things that we have been able to accomplish so far as the pond is concerned.
-In late fall we added 250 8"-10" CCF. We would have liked to do quite a few more, but do to the amount of trees I planted funds ran out for our autumn budget.
-My dad and I installed and new fishing pier due to the lack of shore access so kayak challeged anglers like my mom can still wet a line.
-We installed surface aeration that allows for a portion of the pond to stay opened through the winter.
-I added 6 cedar brush piles ranging in size and density to varying depths with the intentions that some will be suitable for the forage fish while others will house some of the bigger predators. In all reality, some might not hold the fish like they're intended to.
-With 5 gal. buckets and multiple sizes and lengths of pvc and black tubing, we created artificial trees that would serve as lure friendly cover for us to fish. All in all, we made six total.
-With the use of 30 gal. hard plastic barrels and and 12" diameter hard plastic tubing, we attempted to create 6 catfish holes. Again, I thought a variety of size was key because of the varying size of channels in the pond.
-After clearing the brush from the back side of the damn, I used the remaining cedars to create laydowns at variouus spots in the shallows, and near deeper water.
I am happy to say that most materials used thus far have been recycled goods in an attempt to create less waste and take it easy on the pocket book.

There you have it. I am well aware that some of these efforts may be a waste of time because fish have a mind of there own, but I feel good about the diversity that we are adding to the pond so far, not only from a pond perspective, but from an anglers perspective. Some of my ideas may be good, while others aren't, but I feel as a pond manager just starting out that I am trying to make educated decisions to the best of my knowledge. As the process continues, I hope to learn more in the efforts to create balance, which, as in life, is a never ending process and a challenging one at that.
Thanks for taking the time to read, I tried to keep it short, and in doing so, some of my rhyme and reason may have been lost in the shuffle, but we got time for all that.

I'm opened to all ideas and comments you want to send our way! ]]> Nebraska Pond Management digweedthebucket http://www.nefga.org/forum/showthread.php?51368-Dream-Come-True