20: The Monster Fish of OP

I guess the monthly posting cycle continues but that doesn't mean things have slowed down at OP. I'm getting ready to install phase 2 of the walkway over the muddy part of the path. This winter really did a number on our discs so we have a new solution!  I refurbished parts of my old dock which were replaced a couple of years ago. I replaced the old pieces because they were very splintery for bare feet but thought I could use them for other things (i.e. I made a picnic table out of one - actually it's an extra large table for holding drinks while playing corn hole, wiffle ball or frisbee). Don't judge me.

Refurbished dock ready to go!

  The weather has not cooperated for the installation and then my SUV's rear driver's side suspension dropped off (cudos to Honda - no cost and thankfully it happened when I was alone on a slow turn. Negative cudos to Honda - my freaking suspension fell off!).
However, wildlife abounds at OP.
I had heard the rumor of a 40 pound carp patrolling the pond. Back on April 30th when Scout and I were on our late afternoon walk, we took the video below. I was very excited and saw a Dad and his son fishing on the opposite side of the pond. I asked, "Did you guys ever hear about or see the giant carp of Opperman's Pond?" The Dad, very knowingly, said; "Yeah...I seen it." The throw-away attitude kind of took away the excitement of wanting to show them my video. Then the Kid said; "Hey Dad! You caught it once...right!?" Dad, somewhat deflated, replied; "Nope."   And then they walked away without looking at my video.    

 There have been more families at the pond on nice days which is great to see and the amount of excess trash (I suppose it is excess because it is not placed in the bins) has reduced dramatically! I can barely fill a standard sized grocery store bag when I used to fill an entire 30 gallon trash bag. Progress!    Next time: the tale of the new walkway...

Families enjoying OP on a beautiful day 

1st catch Blue Gill...always a barbless hook
for easy release

Gillie school

Ever the watchful turtle

         

On Opperman's Pond : 19: Happy Earth Day!

On Opperman's Pond : 19: Happy Earth Day!: Scout and I organized a march at OP to celebrate Earth Day. The turnout was less than expected but we believe we made our point.

19: Happy Earth Day!

Scout and I organized a march at OP to celebrate Earth Day. The turnout was less than expected but we believe we made our point.

On Opperman's Pond : 18: Mud Season and 1 Year Anniversary

On Opperman's Pond : 18: Mud Season and 1 Year Anniversary: March 23rd  Last year around this time, we began our journey as Pond Keeper. That 1st Post had crayfish, turtles and a general feeling o...

18: Mud Season and 1 Year Anniversary

March 23rd 

Last year around this time, we began our journey as Pond Keeper. That 1st Post had crayfish, turtles and a general feeling of new life. This year it was only one week ago that OP was still surrounded by snow. Now it is surrounded by mud. So it was time to check out how things look after they've been thawed and for any signs of life.
From a distance we were excited to see what appeared to be a huge snapping turtle swimming close to shore. As we got closer, we realized it was another sign of Springtime...the throwing of the garbage pail into the pond.  If you've been following On Opperman's Pond, you'll recall (basically meaning I recall) that I've caught more garbage pails than fish. I will wait until it gets a little warmer before I wade in to get this one...unless someone else gets to it first. Which would be OK with me.    
The only other signs of life were the ever-present Canadian geese. They are always here! I've never seen one in Canada...are they really Canadian?
Anyway...a little trash pick-up, sadly some dead fish and the effects of the freeze/thaw cycle on the wood stepping circles. It blew the bark right off! Pretty cool.  

March 28th

The OP Monster

Blown off bark 

What makes them so Canadian?
They aren't clean or polite

On Opperman's Pond : 17: Lots of Wind

On Opperman's Pond : 17: Lots of Wind: Scout and I were on our way to the gas station to fill up the car before heading north for the Adirondacks. We drove past OP as we do and sa...

17: Lots of Wind

Scout and I were on our way to the gas station to fill up the car before heading north for the Adirondacks. We drove past OP as we do and saw that the recycle bin had blown over with bottles and cans strewn about. My initial reaction was keep on going, fill the car and get on the road for the 3 1/2 hour drive. My conscience got the best of me, so after filling up we turned around, went home to get Pond Keeper tools and returned to OP. The main reason we delayed our trip and conducted a pond-side intervention was to prevent the material from being blown into the pond - a water rescue is always more complicated.  

High winds tossing more Starbuck's cups
around than free trade beans in a roaster  

  

Oh! The humanity! 

Easy clean up...sorry for the drama

 After the clean-up, Scout and I took a stroll around the pond and managed to fill a small Home Depot shopping bag with artes' de garbage. We ran into Andy (human) and Lucy (dog) from the neighborhood also on an OP stroll. Lucy and Scout conducted a back-end hello...Andy and I said, "Hi." He mentioned he usually walks the pond with a 35 gallon trash bag while disdainfully eye-balling my paltry bag-ette. I said, "Excellent! The pond is looking really good." Andy said, "You're welcome," and removed Lucy from Scout's nether regions to continue their walk.
It was a good quick stop and we saw our 1st Painted Turtle getting some sun which, as you know, turtles are a good sign of pond health! Now we were a little later getting on the road but felt good about why were delayed.  As we got back in the car, Scout's gaze said to me; "My Human, you are a good person." I said to Scout, "Puppy Girl, I'm only an OK human but I am an excellent Pond Keeper." Scout also said, "NO WAY is Andy cleaning the pond!"  Me, "We'll see."  Scout's a bit of a hothead.        

1st Painted Turtle sighting!