Creating a Lake

[MikeA57]

I DID IT!!! Read the whole thing. Amazing, Eddie! Thanks for sharing, explaining, asking, and advising during your trek. For someone who doesn't fish often you sure seemed to do all the right things needed to provide a good environment for your fish. That is one pretty little lake. Thanks too for your advice on my bush hog thread. I'm still thinking that one out.

As I was reading I thought of several questions to ask but I didn't write them down and the 'ol steel trap has rusted and doesn't keep much of anything anymore. If they wander back through I may post again.

Mike

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks Mike,

I always enjoy hearing that somebody enjoyed reading this. I've said it over and over again, but I really didn't expect it to turn out as nice as it did. Or how much I would marvel at the changes that happen to it as it matures. The plants and wildlife that use it, along with the way it fits into the landscape just continues to amaze me. My picnic table is my happy place, it's where I want to be!!!

Eddie

 

[MikeA57]

Are you getting any of the rain that's hitting Dallas down to Houston?

 

[EddieWalker]

Are you getting any of the rain that's hitting Dallas down to Houston?

I received a trace. Not enough to measure in my rain gauge, and barely enough to settle the dust.

Eddie

 

[tony Cecil]

You know Eddie, you sure have provided us with a wonderful trip.....I wanted to contribute something I just figured out..

About thirty years ago, just after building the dike, a few Otters took up residence--temporarily as it was breeding season---They would let you get quite close, maybe ten feet away, and it was fun to be that close.....One day, while walking I notice about ten really large bass pulled up on the bank, dead with just a bite taken out of them....It was the Otters.....I decided then that I would try and discourage them from that point on....Never really was successful....I was thinking yesterday about how the big bass would slowly eat up everything , and maybe I should encourage some `weeding out`, and then remembered the Ottters....Everything in nature is so balanced out, it is best for us just to observe, and not interfere.....

You made a wonderful habitat, and I guess the drought is just part of the way Mother Nature conducts things......Hope all is well with you, and I consider you a friend Tony

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks Tony.

Here is another picture that I took this evening. There is still enough water in it for a decent reflection, and I'm still enjoying sitting at my "happy place" in the evening.

Eddie

 

[beppington]

That's a great pic! :thumbsup:

 

[Ford tractor]

You may want to inspect the dam for signs of burrowing varmints. With the water down they can dig enough and low enough to cause the dam to fail from internal erosion when it fills back up.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

My wife and I think thats an awesome picture Eddie. Thanks!

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks. I liked it but didn't think it was anything special. I posted it on facebook and got a lot of comments and likes on it. Way more then I had expected, so now I guess its a better picture then I thought it was.

Eddie

 

[pmetal]

Wow!

Eddie, this has been a fantastic journey. I wish I could have been here from the start, but l'm glad I spent the last few days reading the thread (all 1900+ posts).

You, sir, are amazing. I admire the way you carry yourself and choose to live your life on your own terms.

Thanks for documenting, and I hope to read more as you continue.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

PG

 

[EddieWalker]

PG,

Thank you for the very king compliment. I appreciate it,and you're taking the time to read through every page. Especially where we got off topic and wondered all over the place!!! LOL

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm at least 5 feet down and the shoreline is getting bigger and bigger. When digging, I had a road that was a bit higher then the surrounding area to get the dump truck out of there with a load of dirt. That road is now totaly dry, and we're able to get the backhoe down to it. My dad is helping me bring small trees down to the edge of it and piling them up in the water. My goal is to create a tangle mess that the fish will use.

Eddie

 

[tony Cecil]

I thought you had a stream that ran down the side of the lake???Might not remember correctly.....Is it dry? Tony

 

[EddieWalker]

There is a creek that is the property line. There are parts of it still with water, but most of it is dusty dry.

Eddie

 

[jinman]

Eddie, it is certainly true that what looks good to the eye may not be good for fish. The brush looks cluttered to us, but it's fish heaven. All you need to do now is to sink a couple of old fishing boats in there to give it that "finished" look. It's the pond equivalent of sinking a ship to make a coral reef.

 

[bikerdib]

I hate seeing all the dried up ponds and lakes around Texas these days. And the dead trees... just make me very sad.

 

[tony Cecil]

Man that is something, as I remember (I think) seeing picture of a flowing river almost....It has been drier and drier here in S C on the lower coast at least.....Talking with a friend an he says the crop has to be put in almost before planting date if you want to have a chance.....Maybe next year Tony

 

[EddieWalker]

The picnic table is my happy place. It's where I end up when I go for my walks in the evening. I like to carry my camera and see if I can find something to take a picture of, and wonder around on my land. I go different directions and try not to walk the same way every day. Once I get to my picnic table, I sit and watch the sunset to see if there will be any color. Sometimes Oscar comes along, sometimes he shows up on his own after I'm there, and other times, he stays at the house.

The first picture took first place in a local photo competition. The others are just recent pics that I like.

Eddie