Pond dreaming is over

[philbuilt]

Thank you PH
Here are some shots of the frame being set in place. It's just going to rest there till spring thaw. It has 3' of crown as shown. The two ends will be burried at least a foot into the earth.

 

[philbuilt]

The muskrat problem solved itself the same year they arrived.

 

[jinman]

Phil, seeing you working on an ice-covered pond makes me very happy to never have to deal with that. I can handle a little mud, but 14" of ice is beyond my comprehension. Good for you!

 

[philbuilt]

Jinman
This year is great so far and you can't beat the temps. 39 today and no wind,mosquitoes, and ice for staging.
The hard part now will be the wait for
The thaw. Backhoe on the tractor and level the bridge.

 

[EddieWalker]

Bridge looks great. Nice arch to it. I can't wait to see how you finish it off!!!!

Eddie

 

[IndyIan]

Phil, seeing you working on an ice-covered pond makes me very happy to never have to deal with that. I can handle a little mud, but 14" of ice is beyond my comprehension. Good for you!

Ice isn't so bad, it lets anyone walk on water!:laughing:
I was ice fishing on the weekend and some enterprising folks had put a 28' RV trailer on thier lot with no road access. Easily done in the winter.

 

[new jersey mike]

Eddie,
I'm not sure what i will use for the bridge i'm waiting to see what kind of scrap materials will hit the sign shop. I like the looks of rusted steel. and cedar.

Yesterday brought a new critter sighting at the pond. A muskrat, should I consider this a friend or foe?

Foe they will burrow into your bank and then the bank will collapse, I have them in my pond now.

 

[philbuilt]

The muskrat thing has long past. We are good on that. But yes they are bad to have around. We had one claw one of our dogs and put a good gouge in his face.

Back to the bridge. I was planning on running the boards the long way. But my wife was thinking side to side. Also the thought was to deck it using Trex. Low maintenance and no chemicals.

 

[philbuilt]

Can anyone help identify this fish?


I just ordered the 20' windmill aerator from Tractor Supply. Anyone have one and do you like it? I hope to receive it in 2 weeks.

 

[ericher69]

Can anyone help identify this fish?

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=260160"/>
I just ordered the 20' windmill aerator from Tractor Supply. Anyone have one and do you like it? I hope to receive it in 2 weeks.

How big does this fish get?

 

[bikerdib]

Can anyone help identify this fish?

View attachment 260160
I just ordered the 20' windmill aerator from Tractor Supply. Anyone have one and do you like it? I hope to receive it in 2 weeks.

Looks like a treadfin to me, AKA a shiner.

 

[Tororider]

I was going to say shiner as well.

 

[philbuilt]

Cool deal on the shiners. The pond is full of them, so time for some trout?

 

[philbuilt]

How big does this fish get?

Some are about 8"

 

[bikerdib]

Cool deal on the shiners. The pond is full of them, so time for some trout?

What you need to determine is if it is a treadfin shad or gizzard shad. Treadfin can grow to around 8 inches but more commonly around 6 inches and are a favorite of largemouth bass. Gizzard shad can reach 20 inches and therefore can get bigger than most predator species. If the upper jaw sticks out farther than the lower it is a gizzard shad. The lower jaw sticks out farther than the upper on the treadfin. With either, you need to keep enough predator species in the pond otherwise the shad will overproduce. From your picture it looks like the lower jaw sticks out farther than the upper meaning its a treadfin but you might want to catch another just to make sure.

 

[philbuilt]

Bikerdib
Thanks for the info. I agree that the lower jaw doe's stick past. I did catch a 5" one and the side fins were red. Unfortunately bass are illegal to stock in Maine. So trout will have to do! However some ponds and lake around do have Bass.

 

[scoutcub]

Bikerdib
Thanks for the info. I agree that the lower jaw doe's stick past. I did catch a 5" one and the side fins were red. Unfortunately bass are illegal to stock in Maine. So trout will have to do! However some ponds and lake around do have Bass.

I grew up in Mass and used to go fishing all the time at a lake around 4 miles from my home....either walking or biking. I would catch bluegill and Bass....and bring them home in a 5 gallon bucket.....and then I would trip and spill the bucket into my small pond in the backyard.....:thumbsup::laughing:

Once the bluegills began reproducing, the bass were very happy.....not to mention I would feed them frogs from around the edge of the pond...

 

[philbuilt]

Last year I did catch a rather large fish it resembled a 15" largemouth bass. Wink wink
But here in my pond it s sun fish. They are legal here in Maine. Maybe it came in on the leg of a Canadian goose.

 

[philbuilt]

Good evening at the pond. Fed the fish and wet a line. Caught one of my sun fish. 12"