Another New Year…Bring it on!

Allow me the pleasure to wish you a Happy New Year! Seems like we have a new rite of passage every time the clock clicks over to midnight on January 1. It can feel like a new beginning of sorts. We make promises, many of which we won’t keep, but we feel renewed just by the thought. At least we think we can be resolute in a renewed sort of way.

One of my favorite things about celebrating the new year is that spring is in our headlights. Spring is a great time, because nature comes out of its rest and awakens to a new season. I don’t know about you, but until some gray showed up in my beard and around my temples, I didn’t really think about how all that nature stuff really works. Days grow longer, the angle of the sun changes, and the temperature rises. As this happens, the magic starts. Seeds germinate, plants grow, leaves sprout where little buds once protected them on tree branches. Fish come shallow and begin to spawn, and someone thinks about starting a lawnmower.

Migrating birds move south to north and we’ll be in full-fledged spring.

Something about new life and freshness allows us to shut the door on the old year and ring in a new one, with some semblance of a fresh start.

Speaking of fresh, our Pond Boss team wants to thank you for an excellent 2017. It was one for the books. Pond Boss subscriber numbers rose—not much, but enough to celebrate. Remember, we are always on the prowl for new subscribers. Tell friends—heck, buy them a subscription. That’s a cool gift for any season or reason. The Pond Boss VII Conference and Expo were full of high-octane energy and knowledge. Speakers were outstanding, vendors in the trade show were excited, and we even had nine new companies displaying their wares, services, and products. And for those who attended, it was a great time. Oh, and give yourselves a big pat on the back. The silent auction—and the live one—at the conference, raised $10,225 that went to Ecclesia Church in Houston, whose volunteers on the ground were able to use 100% of those funds to help people in dire need. As I presented the check to the pastor of the church, he was gracious and humble, and assured me they were working primarily with people who were in dire straits of poverty before Hurricane Harvey struck, and were desperate and destitute after the flooding subsided. Much of that money went for grocery vouchers and cleaning supplies for those who needed it the most. Our Pond Boss family truly rose to that occasion and provided. For that, we give thanks and count the blessings we have every day.

This issue of your favorite magazine is again loaded with some outstanding information, and is entertaining as well. There’s enough here to earn your bachelor’s degree from the university of pondology, but you’ll have to settle for reading these pages and rewarding yourself with your favorite adult beverage in front of the fire.

In this issue, Otto repairs a repair—you just have to read it. Pond Boss subscriber, Todd Watts, has written a story about his High Wattage Pond and its Magical Fishing Spot. You’ll be slightly envious of what he’s done. Dave Beasley circles back to finish a tale he started 18 months ago in these pages. Ty Kleeb is becoming a regular contributor. Want to catch your biggest fish? Hear what he has to say. Kelly Duffie, with Helena Chemicals, is our go to guy with all things aquatic plants. He gave a meaty speech at the conference, and then put his sage presentation into words for all our readers to absorb, so to speak. He slaps our hands with the top ten mistakes people make dealing with runaway aquatic plants. I’ve tackled a topic about non-traditional stocking strategies, most of which are not quite by the book, and Dr. Boyd shares some common-sense facts about water color. Dan VanSchaik shares new information about aging deer, and Dr. Wes Neal shares the second part of his story about using catch data to judge your fishery. Birdman Mel sets the stage for spring planting for your favorite birds. Biologist Steven Bardin teaches you some down-to-earth knowledge on how to build a pond plan, while Eric West hits a wintertime topic and Michael Gray repairs a rock spillway, again. Get ready for a fun recipe, especially if you have a meat grinder. Plus, we have all the regular columns, and great advertisers as well.

Bring on 2018—we’re ready. We’re glad you’re on our team and look forward to doing our part to help you become better stewards of your land and water.

Fish on!