I'd like to send my deepest appreciation to Nate Herman (N8LY)and his wonderful family for their incredible hospitality to entertain me all weekend. Herman Brothers Pond Management is an absolute first class organization, with a fabulous body of water, an incredible facility, but mostly a humble, hard-working family who have really created something special.

The Herman Family joins a group of Pond Boss folks who have extended their hospitality to me. From George Glazener, to Bob and Debbie Lusk, to James Holt, to Yolkie and Shawn Banks and TeeJaeh and Dr. Morgan at King Fisher Society. This forum attracts the best people.

Here's a photo of me with a super healthy rainbow trout raised by Herman Brothers Pond Management at Norris Lake.



...and look how healthy and robust this 1+ pound bluegill/green sunfish hybrid is!



Here's Nate's grandpa, who is proud of his nice striped bass hybrid!



...and here I am with a gorgeous nearly 3 pound smallie, also raised by Herman Brothers Pond Management!



I just couldn't be happier with my experience at Norris Lake, and I couldn't be more impressed with Nate Herman and his knowledge and passion for pond management.

Like I said, Pond Boss brings together the most incredible and talented people!

What!? You were that close to me and you didn't stop in!

Well one state over anyway...

You'll have to stop by some day Bruce. I may be seining out my big perch this fall for Bass Pro shops. Maybe then.

What's with those pictures? They seem a little more hyped than usual.

We were having a good time with the photos, but I think I'm always that hyped!

Awesome fish, Bruce (and Nate!)!

Just curious, what does your dentist say about holding a rod in your teeth?

Nice work Nate. It’s good for you to let Bruce have some fun. Bruce thanks for sharing the trip. Cork is better on the teeth than rod.

Very impressive. All from the same BOW?

My dentist disapproves!

Yes, all from the same BOW. What an amazing fishery!

Bruce gives all his rods a good fluoride wash prior to fishing just in case he needs to pose for a trophy.

Dang it looks like the Herman Bros grow some huge fish! Sounds like a good time was had by all.

All of the pictures are great, but that hybrid sunfish is especially cool!!

I thought the "breastplate" on that warrior was pretty impressive! I told Nate that, even though this wasn't the biggest hybrid by length or weight, it was the one I wanted to have photos of because of the really cool morphology.

That bad boy would have made two pretty impressive fillets!

Bruce, now you know why after being behing the wheel for 36 hours, I'd rather fish Lake Norris than sleep. There are few people as nice as the Herman family and I've never seen such a world class lake!

Congrats on the trip!!!

Great report!!!

That hybrid is just wrong..........!

Here are a few more pics and a few more species of fish from the weekend. My good friend Chef Todd is a huge Bruce fan and had to come out and cook dinner for him Sat evening:




Here are a few more of the different species of fish we caught:

So, I know you guys really push the envelope, but are you now noodling for LMB, trout, and large bluegill?

The meal was incredible. Chef Todd is a wizard!!!

That's great, I was thinking the same thing!!

Ask Bruce. He almost caught a smallmouth with his bare hands on his first dive....Anyhow we do have an underwater video in the works that involves an ice fishing rod and an epic underwater battle with a big fish and a vertex aeration system in the background 40 feet deep....

I suggest those that have not gone to Nate's website and watched the vids that you do. You can learn a lot about fish and structure from them.