Funny Time to drain the swamp

[oldfisherman]

Literally.

I have a low area on my property that floods when it is wet. So either I install a catfish pond, or drain it.

Decided to install french drains, the project has started.

The purpose of this thread is to inform you of how much fun it is to operate a tractor with a backhoe. I feel like a kid playing with a very big toy.

If you have never run a tractor, put it on your bucket list.

 

[theprunetang]

Do you know whatelse sounds fun? Having your own catfish pond.

 

[BrianFromWA]

that's awesome....

though I feel like I read a story a while ago where the county/state (?) in Oregon deemed that someone couldn't collect rainwater and build a pond or somesuch...here's hoping the fuzz ain't out for you!

 

[oldfisherman]

that's awesome....

though I feel like I read a story a while ago where the county/state (?) in Oregon deemed that someone couldn't collect rainwater and build a pond or somesuch...here's hoping the fuzz ain't out for you!

I retired to Idaho.
Had the officials from several agencies out to give me the ok.

 

[oldfisherman]

Do you know whatelse sounds fun? Having your own catfish pond.

It was not an easy choice.
What pushed me to drain rather than build a pond was.
We have very professional poachers in the area. They even poach each others road kills. They would have emptied the pond of fish in one night.

 

[theprunetang]

It was not an easy choice.
What pushed me to drain rather than build a pond was.
We have very professional poachers in the area. They even poach each others road kills. They would have emptied the pond of fish in one night.

Totally understand. I have a long time dream of having a pond or stream on my property. Something I could fish in when I'm retired.

 

[oldfisherman]

Totally understand. I have a long time dream of having a pond or stream on my property. Something I could fish in when I'm retired.

There are also legal issues if someone sneaks in and drowns.

I'm lucky to have several very good fishing lakes nearby, one of the reasons I moved here. I can catch a limit and be home before breakfast. Smoked up 70 trout on memorial day.

 

[riverman]

There are also legal issues if someone sneaks in and drowns.

Properly displayed signage should cover that...NO SWIMMING! VIOLATERS WILL BE PROSECUTED

 

[barfo]

Smoked up 70 trout on memorial day.

Wow, you must have been really high.

Yeah, I know that's not a trout. Use your imagination.

barfo

 

[MarAzul]

Oregon deemed that someone couldn't collect rainwater and build a pond or somesuch

This is true. I think it was about 93 or 94 they got real intent on pressing this power of the State. I had 7 ponds on my ranch at the time, one created by the county digging rock out to build the local road sometime close to the turn of the century. The others dated back to about this same time. The net of it was I had to register the ponds and pay the fees or figure out how to drain them, as I was not permitted to capture run off water with out a permit. $350 a piece I think it was, except for the big one where the geese raise their young, that cost me $500.

 

[riverman]

This is true. I think it was about 93 or 94 they got real intent on pressing this power of the State. I had 7 ponds on my ranch at the time, one created by the county digging rock out to build the local road sometime close to the turn of the century. The others dated back to about this same time. The net of it was I had to register the ponds and pay the fees or figure out how to drain them, as I was not permitted to capture run off water with out a permit. $350 a piece I think it was, except for the big one where the geese raise their young, that cost me $500.

I have a creek on my property and a seasonal pond..I was told I could not alter the creek....I wanted to make a fishing area by damming one side and widening it enough for cutthroat trout.....I can't dam the seasonal pond either.....I could, however build a swimming pool as large as I'd like but have to fill it with well water. Never really understood the difference between a man made swimming pool and a man made pond but that's life

 

[MarAzul]

I have a creek on my property and a seasonal pond..I was told I could not alter the creek....I wanted to make a fishing area by damming one side and widening it enough for cutthroat trout.....I can't dam the seasonal pond either.....I could, however build a swimming pool as large as I'd like but have to fill it with well water. Never really understood the difference between a man made swimming pool and a man made pond but that's life

It is pretty damn clear the law makes no fucking sense, especially when applied to ponds that are 90 or more years old. The only sense it made was a revenue measure very unfairly applied.
I am not even sure I could have gotten rid of the big pond without running afoul of federal regulations.

 

[MARIS61]

If you have never run a tractor, put it on your bucket list.

Intentional pun?

 

[Lanny]

I have a creek on my property and a seasonal pond..I was told I could not alter the creek....I wanted to make a fishing area by damming one side and widening it enough for cutthroat trout.....I can't dam the seasonal pond either.....I could, however build a swimming pool as large as I'd like but have to fill it with well water. Never really understood the difference between a man made swimming pool and a man made pond but that's life

I thought cutthroat traveled between river and ocean with the tide. How could they get way up in Idaho?

 

[riverman]

I thought cutthroat traveled between river and ocean with the tide. How could they get way up in Idaho?

They like streams in Western Oregon....I'm 40 miles from the coast...I fish for them in western lane county on one river....small, fresh water....I won't let anyone know where though..they aren't in abundance..I live in Oregon...all I saw in Idaho were rainbow trout mostly