Pond re-do Part 1

Barton · Sep 9, 2010

I realize that the fish cleaning, frying, and eating isn't part of the pond re-building, but I think some of you might enjoy some pictures of the affair.

A neighbor of Greg's loaned us his fish scaler (actually a de-scaler) with electric motor and Greg built the blue one the week before. The fish were put in the small one first and then the blue one for final de-scaling and rinsing.

We had a lot of help cleaning and filleting the fish.

Another picture of Greg's 7220.

And Justin had the coolest "ride". :thumbsup:

Barton · Sep 9, 2010

The fish cleaning and fry was across the road at Greg's place since there is no electricity and nor fresh water at the pond site.

About this time my brother and I and families left to go check in and cleanup at a motel in Ashburn. We live about an hour west of the farm.

When Warren got back he fired up his 2 deep fryers and Greg fired up his 2.

I could tell the hunger was building and people were getting a bit restless.

One thing great about being a musician is that they get to eat first. :licking:

Barton · Sep 9, 2010

On the menu was: bass, brim, catfish, hush puppies, french fries, baked beans, cole slaw, bread & butter pickles, onions and my wife made, in addition to the beans, a quadruple batch of brownies.

The musicians warming up. The pickin' and the grinin' went on past sundown.

dieselscout80 · Sep 9, 2010

Barton said:
The pond, built in 1952, had not been properly maintained for many years and it was badly leaking.

As a new pond owner of a three year old pond what maintenance should have been done to the pond?

Barton · Sep 9, 2010

The biggest issue was keeping the trees from growing on the dam. I guess the dam may have been built according to the standards of the day but certainly not to today's standards. It was way to narrow at the base and the top of dam making it impossible to mow. It was almost a sheer drop off of at least 20' on the backside of the dam.

Also the amount of fish and types were not kept at proper ratios so the pond ended up with stunted fish, but they still tasted good. :licking: