Several years ago, Dan decided he wanted a fishpond. Supportive wife me, I thought it seemed a silly idea – our creek is just 15 feet away.
No matter, Dan began his project. While he worked, I called our son in California. We hadn’t been talking long when Dan beeped in. He and his front loader were stuck. After digging the pond to five feet deep, Dan realized he hadn’t planned an exit route. He was in, but he couldn’t get out.
Being a farm wife, I knew that somehow the truck was going to be involved, and sure enough, Dan attached a chain to the truck, and I was able to pull him out.
Dan one, fishpond zero.
Pond dug and water added; we needed fish. At an aquatic shop we spent $60 on a small but adequate number of fish. We brought them home and introduced them to the pond. The fish swam around for a few minutes and seemed happy, so we got on with our day. I’d fired up our small tractor to begin some much-needed mowing, when I spotted a Great Blue Heron lurking nearby. Gunning the tractor, I headed straight for him. Off he flew, he didn’t come back, and I counted that problem solved.
Next day the pond was empty. Nearby was a very grateful, very full Blue Heron. Dan researched the problem and found a solution involving fishing line. Using many angles, Dan strung the line across the pond, giving it a near invisible Matrix look. Herons won’t step over anything to spear their food.
Future pond inhabitants would be safe from an aerial attack.
With the Blue Heron problem solved, it was back to the aquatic store to repopulate the pond. This was becoming expensive. Dan one, Blue Heron zero.
At the store we spotted a tank of tiny orange dots. These were feeder fish which are used as food for other fish. They were very cheap, so we bought 3 dozen.
When we got home, Dan dumped the dots in the pond. Fall was over. It was a cold winter day and the dots bounced once and then sank to the bottom.
Dan decided his name was the Fish Murderer. This was becoming personal. Pond one, Dan zero. After lunch we sadly wandered down to the pond. The orange dots were swimming right along! They’d only been stunned by the cold. Saved from a cannibalistic fate, the dots had rallied, happy to be safe. Reverse score – Dan one, pond zero.
Life wouldn’t be life if we hadn’t had some other fishpond experiences. Recently the old swing we put by the pond collapsed with Dan and me in it. Dan has relocated two snapping turtles and once we saw a snake who we hoped crawled out and over to the creek.
However, despite setbacks, great fish experiment has been successful. The pond is now one of the most peaceful parts of the farm. The Blue Heron is frustrated – 0, the fish are multiplying – 1 and, and not only is Dan – 1, but he truly won.
Cindy Arp: Hiker, reader and nana to the world’s best grandson. Cindy is eternally curious.