The gully to pond project

[PAGUY]

I agree with Eddie around here they tie a cement block to the bottom of a christmas tree and drop it in the water.

 

[pacerron]

We threw out half a coffee can full of catfish food yesterday morning and just before sunset last night. I was hoping to see some of the little catfish fingerlings coming to the surface for a sample, but they didn't.

Try some "Old Roy" dry dog food. Our catfish loved it so much they started going crazy at the surface when they felt the vibration of the lawn tractor engine coming toward the dam.

I did not make the words "lawn tractor" above into a path for cub cadet advertisements. This is the second time something like this has happened. Apparently this site is becoming infected with malware. Has anyone else noticed a refreshing of your desktop icons going on when you upload an image to TBN?

 

[crbr]

Nice project......

 

[Western]

I too have used pallets for flatheads, in 3-4' of water they get used big time. Other than that, I'm with Eddie on using natural cover such as tree branches and such. The Coppernose I had used the brush piles allot, so I kept some near the shallows where they spawn.

 

[jinman]

Just prune your trees and put the branches along the shore. Make a mess and pile them up. The uglier it is to us, the prettier it is for the fish!!!!

Eddie

Eddie, I have lots of cedar to prune and I've been thinking of tossing the pruned off branches into the pond around the edges. I just want to try the soaker hose "bushes" because the hose ends would provide perfect cover and protection for eggs from bigger fish and turtles. I also plan to fertilize the pond very soon to make sure there are plenty of plankton. Everything I read says plankton are the best starter for the pond eco-system. Maybe I can get my grandson to work with me today and build a prototype to show what I'm talking about. Lately, I've seen several little basketball sized schools of minnows swimming near the surface. Their natural tendency to school is pretty amazing.

 

[jinman]

I agree with Eddie around here they tie a cement block to the bottom of a christmas tree and drop it in the water.

But my Christmas tree is artificial and probably wouldn't have the same effect on the fish.:laughing:

 

[Western]

Jim, wont the "hose ends" have to be all horizontal for the fish to enter them? I've seen something similar to what you describe, made like Eddie mention (PVC) for structure.

I have used cedar, but let it dry out first, I was worried about the acids in my small pond. I know allot of guys use bamboo if they have access to it..

 

[jinman]

I made two prototype soaker hose structures. I ended up cutting the hose sections 3' long and wrapped an old rubber hose section around the middle with a wire running through it to bundle them together. Then, I took a copper wire and hung a brick from the end. to sink the hoses. Since the hoses are porous, the water flows into them nicely with only the rubber for buoyancy. I thought one brick would work, but they are just floating around the top of the pond about 3/4 sunk. When the get close to the bank and "anchor" themselves, I'll pull them out and add another brick to each one. That should suspend them about 18" off the bottom.

Maybe being at the surface will allow me to see if the fish/minnows show any signs of being attracted to them.

 

[bindian]

I made two prototype soaker hose structures. I ended up cutting the hose sections 3' long and wrapped an old rubber hose section around the middle with a wire running through it to bundle them together. Then, I took a copper wire and hung a brick from the end. to sink the hoses. Since the hoses are porous, the water flows into them nicely with only the rubber for buoyancy. I thought one brick would work, but they are just floating around the top of the pond about 3/4 sunk. When the get close to the bank and "anchor" themselves, I'll pull them out and add another brick to each one. That should suspend them about 18" off the bottom.

Maybe being at the surface will allow me to see if the fish/minnows show any signs of being attracted to them.

Jim,
I agree with Dennis. The hoses should be horizontal. What about tying a brink to both ends? With the center still tied also.
hugs, Brandi

 

[pacerron]

I made two prototype soaker hose structures. I ended up cutting the hose sections 3' long and wrapped an old rubber hose section around the middle with a wire running through it to bundle them together. Then, I took a copper wire and hung a brick from the end. to sink the hoses. Since the hoses are porous, the water flows into them nicely with only the rubber for buoyancy. I thought one brick would work, but they are just floating around the top of the pond about 3/4 sunk. When the get close to the bank and "anchor" themselves, I'll pull them out and add another brick to each one. That should suspend them about 18" off the bottom.

Maybe being at the surface will allow me to see if the fish/minnows show any signs of being attracted to them.

Jim,
How long is this dam?