These are pretty self explanatory - more detailed pictures of the .25 acre SMB reproduction pond and the beds I made last week as I promised.

I realize these beds are in close proximity to one another - but I was worried about the South shore collecting silt runoff so I had to remain dedicated to the N and E banks.

The bed walls average around 16" - 20" in back and gradually decrease as they slope to the welcome mat of the Motel 6 Master Suite. The rubber feed tubs I used in order to keep the beds up and out of the silt/clay also demanded I use mucho rock to keep it flush. I didn't want there to exist an abrupt rubber lip - but create a more gradual "driveway" effect into the beds. Way more about me than the fish? Probably so.

I would have added additional rock, and probably will, but with heavy rains predicted I had to complete the essential aspects of the job first. All rock was carried by pail - about 15T - by yours truly. My fingers are still swollen to bratwurst proportions.

From all I've read, the project entailed some unique properties from which I can hopefully extrapolate some important data [if the SMB utilize them at all!]: Rubber feed tubs, Limestone rock, elevated beds, issues with siltation...

You will have to keep us updated on how the spawn goes and if the SMB like their new love making beds.

TJ's Smallie Sybaris

Nice job, TJ! I'll be curious to hear how well the SMB use the beds.

Are they covered with water yet?

No, but they may be in 12 hours.

You need to come up for the Baylor NU game this year Davasta - and we can see for ourselves.

Been threatening rain all day - it sure better come or I raced against an imaginary deadline.

I think they just said the %chance dropped from 70 to zero. Looks like tomorrow afternoon is tha next best chance.

Thanks for the update - there's still time to move some rocks. Meet me in 20 min? I'll bring the headlamps.

I'm already there. I rode my bicycle out.

Let me get this straight. You moved the rocks by hand?

Otto

Yes - Cat got them to the top of the dam but I didn't want to disturb the soils too much and the slopes are 2:1 of very loose particulate so I didn't drive down the damface.

As I carried the first bucket to create the cornerstone of first SMB Motel 6 I thought, "this isn't so bad!" 15T later I was throwing them down the slopes into a loose pile and arranging them from there. Although I can say there is not a single pebble placed without "design"...I just have to hope my "design" is conducive to SMB reproduction!

Strong like bull; smart like tractor.

All real Pondmeisters build their SMB beds by hand.












Or coerce their kids into doing it.

I dumped my SMB bed construction material into a flat pile with the hopes that the fish are either creative or motivated to extreme makeovers.
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This, of course, excludes the polyvinylphibian saucers. That was (ahem) a labor of love.

With love from your dad B'ski - cribbs , B'ski logs and polyvinylphibian saucers .

Bski and Herr Gallus definitely showed me the way with their structure. Thanks gentlemen!

I'm sure glad bluegill aren't so picky. They seem to have this survival of the species down pat.

Thought I should repost these as I deleted the old ones on Flickr accidently:

Under advisement from Bob Lusk I moved some SMB beds to different depths so I could hedge my bets. I also was able to increase the distance between beds which could improve my chances of pulling a spawn.



The slope makes the new beds higher on the bank appear slanted, and guess what? They are. I was tired and left them that way. I wonder if the fish reject them finding them unsuitable?





Following Eric and Bill's excellent SMB articles in Pond Boss mag, I used the cinderblock I had on hand and constructed one, finally, the RIGHT way!



I've stocked 8 SMB from 10-14" in this 1/3 acre pond. I'm planning to stock around 40 before the Autumn - and hope for the best come Spring.

Here's the pond full pool after a hard, satisfying day of projects at the hatchery ponds. I have a nice population of FHM established to feed the SMB this Autumn, Winter and Spring...not taking pellets as of yet.

Thanks for the wonderful pics TJ. A good idea to hedge your depth bets. Any chance of adding a log/wood by a few beds even if temporarily during the spawn ?

Yes indeed, Eric. Do you think a Brettski log would serve this purpose well also? I have literally hundreds of lbs of scrap PVC I need to use, and this would be a nice Winter project.

Those pictures are fantastic. Great work!

I think the B'ski logs will work. Try a few with different sizes and limb densities and see what works best.