Thursday, April 30, 2009

More Fishy Stock in the Rain

It is another rainy day in April and it just so happens to be the date to pick up the fish order from the conservation sale. Today we are adding 25 white perch babies and a million ( not really... but there are alot of them!) minnows to our 1/2 acre pond. We started stocking the pond when we moved in about six years ago and have a wonderful collection of larger fish who help keep the pond clean and healthy. The catfish ( bottom feeders) and large mouth bass are getting big enough that we can throw a few on the grill this summer. Last summer my son demonstrated his skill for catching, cleaning and grilling with a large Croupy. It was actually pretty good without all my fancy seasonings.

The second photo in my collage to the left is the bucket filled with the perch that were picked up earlier that morning.



This collection of photos on the left is the location where we gently dumped the fish into this morning. This is at the far end of the pond in the lily pad and water garden area. We keep the fishing activities and feeding the fish down away from the sandy beach and diving rock where the pond is used for swimming in the summer months. We have yet to have someone have a fish attack yet! I did have a big toad brush up against my hand while I was sunning on my favorite raft one summer but that is another blog entry!










New Growth Thanks to the April Showers!



And I can't end this blog without sharing a beautiful Tequila Sunrise Tulip with you that is loving the rain............

15 comments:

The Army of Four said...

What BEAUTIFUL pictures! Even the little perch is so sweet-looking!
We've given you an award today - yes, it's "from the pups", but I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your lovely blog!
Karen

Victoria Williams said...

I thought maybe those fish were coming down from the sky with the rain! Ha ha.
Nice pond! Must be nice to be able to swim in it. Kim only goes wading in ours when the water lilies need a trimming.

The author said...

Beautiful! Thanks for being the 1st blogger, that didn't already know me, to join my blog! I'm so excited! May a gardening friendship begin.

Debbie's Garden said...

Love the big boulders around the pond. Its raining here too. But I swear from the rain you can actually SEE things growing. Everything is really taking off.

The cheery colored bright flowers you have blooming must look like they're glowing on this dark day!

Roses and Lilacs said...

I'd love to have a pond but couldn't handle the extra work. My brother has one and it's a lot of trouble. He's had beaver dam it up, river otters eat his fish, and algae problems galore. Yours sure is lovely tho.
Marnie

flydragon said...

How great is that, to catch and eat fish from your own pond!! I'll bet they also keep the mosquito population down too, by eating the larva. Great looking tulips!!

Becca's Dirt said...

The Tequila Sunrise is beautiful in all her glory. Sounds like some good eating to me. We love our catfish here on the Gulf Coast too. Have a nice day... Becca

Dirt Princess said...

How fun to be able to go out and catch fresh fish in the pond, clean then cook them. Yum!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What fun having a pond to garden, fish and relax in. I can just imagine a big ole frog swimming by. At least it didn't try to jump onto your raft. teehee. Lovely tulips too. It has rained here most of the day. The garden is loving it.

Cathy S. said...

What great photos! I would love to have a large pond like that, must be really nice. Happy Spring!

Jan said...

Bren, how fun it must be to have a half-acre pond! That's just about the size of my yard! (I think ours is 2/3 of an acre). I had a tiny pond once, about 4' X 8'; that was 'nothin', really, in comparison!!
It'd be nice to fish and swim...I love 'em both; and your kids love it, I'm sure. You made beautiful collages and your posts always are uplifting;-)

Sharon said...

It looks like a lovely place. And I'm coming to visit if I ever get back up north. ;)

Susie said...

That tulip is a stunner! Love the vibrant color.

Love fish grilled. Sounds yummy!

Carol Murdock said...

Hey, Bren..........
We have white perch too. I don't like to eat them, too mushy for me.
We have HUGE Bream, Bass and Catfish. In fact we found a dead Catfish today that weighed 21 lbs 8 oz. We have know idea why they die.
Carol

Kelly said...

...how wonderful you have you own pond! It must be gorgeous. Also...those tulips are stunning...the color really reaches out!