Editor’s Letter

July, an Independence-Type of Month

Congratulations to each of us. We’ve officially made it half-way around the sun one more time. Only 178 days until Christmas. In the meantime, we are looking straight into the panting eyes of the dog-days of summer. Hot weather, hot water, hot everything.

Our ponds do strange things in the summer. While some of the biology speeds up, fish growth rates slow down. It’s an enigma, huh? Watch your water by watching its biology. If your fish stop eating, something’s up. Visibility drops to 18 inches? That’s a sign—a good one for last spring, but not so good for the hottest times of the year.

While we pay attention to our favorite pond’s biology, summer is the time to have a blast enjoying the fruits of our passions—that healthy, happy pond, its inhabitants, and those whom we love as they frolic in and around our favorite waters. We’re sure enjoying ours.

During this month where we celebrate our nation’s independence, I just want to take a minute and say a heart-felt “thank you” to each of our readers and advertisers. I truly feel a sense of camaraderie and family with you. We all have a common bond and common goal to truly become better stewards of what’s entrusted to us—our land and water. That’s a big deal.

Another big deal is this magazine we all love, and we’d like you to participate in taking Pond Boss to a new level. Our layout guru, Rob Hudgins, with 50/50 Design, recently suggested we consider re-designing the magazine. His idea is to upgrade and improve the format, the look, layout, and content. One thing I’ve learned over time is that things change. The biggest part of that concept is that if we don’t embrace change, it passes us. Rob’s idea, as the layout expert, is to freshen the look of the magazine. I see that, but I also see something else. How about we change some of the columns? I sense some of the regular columns are getting a bit stale. Fresh sounds good. Please, offer your thoughts. Pond Boss magazine is truly yours. If you don’t receive what you expect, you’ll stop subscribing. That’s the harsh facts of this business. So, harshness aside, please let me know your thoughts. Are there any columns that consistently offer less-than-what you want or need? I can handle the truth. Tell me. My skin is thick, and our team simply wants to put out the best product, with the best information, we can. Long time subscriber and many time Pond Boss Conference and Expo attendee from Charlotte, North Carolina, Al Allison, came up with an idea for a column. He’d love to see a regular article called, “Thingamabobs,” dealing with the stuff people invent to help with pond management. Al has all kinds of neat ideas around his pond. He noticed fish-eating birds liked to perch and leave their droppings on his Texas Hunter feeder in hopes of a meal when his big bluegill came to feed, so he hung some shiny cd’s where they’d blow and pivot on the feeder. Problem solved.

What would you like to see in the magazine? One call into the office just last week suggested we don’t write enough about ponds in the Pacific Northwest. One email wants to hear more for northern ponds. Two more took issue with some of the articles we choose to publish because of the opinions of the writers. I love input like that.

What’s yours? Seriously, email me at info@pondboss.com and I’ll take your ideas to heart.

What about this issue? More good stuff. Michael Gray tackles the sticky topic of leaky ponds, while Otto takes on a similar, yet totally different project with a creative solution. It being summer, we do have a story about underwater plant life and what to do about it. The thermocline gets some attention in this issue, as does summertime temperatures affecting fish feeding behavior. Meet a guy designing a Minnesota pond and what he’s thinking, and there’s an article that might just sway you to say “No” to a project. Want some insight into whether or not to tag your fish? Read a feature story in these pages. I’ve dipped into the past in my second installment of the history of pond management. That little exercise helps the reader see just how young and formative our industry truly is. It also helps me realize how far we’ve come. We revisit a story by Birdman Mel that entices us to do some landscaping to attract butterflies and pollinators. Good time to do that. Mark Cornwell sifts through plankton for a practical explanation about managing a bloom for a purpose. We’ve got another nice recipe you’ll want to try, if you like jalapenos. If not, it makes a great dip. Dan V writes about starting a commercial hunting operation. Dr. Boyd blends science with the biology of water chemistry and explains how it affects what we do. And, of course we have all the regular stuff, too.

My wife and several colleagues are always on me to promote myself, but I just won’t do that. It makes me uncomfortable. I do see their point, though. I’ve been involved in helping to develop an industry, and have been associated with the pond management business for 40 years. To that end, what I’ve learned has value and needs to be shared. Back in 2004 I had an idea and it’s time to bring that idea to life. Read about it in the article, “The Institute of Higher Pondology.” You may be interested. Or, you may know someone who is interested.

In the meantime, enjoy this issue of our favorite pond magazine, celebrate our independence, and savor your time around your land and its waters. Summer is a great time.

Fish on!