FishnDave

"Somewhere in the contiguous U.S." is usually fair game? 😜 If it can be reached by passenger jet, train, bus, cab, car, or boat? The further I go, the more fishing spots I'm passing by to get there. 😬

I got a really good look at one that was looking over something floating on the surface. It had black chin whiskers, so probably a Black Bullhead. I can't imagine there would be any Brown Bullhead around here. I'll let you know if I catch one. 👍

Its big to some of us (me)! I haven't caught one over 7 lbs in over 20 years! You've seen some of my fish posted around here....I have no problems showing small fish...obviously. 😬

Jumbo! That beats my biggest one by 3/4"! Since you brought it up...I've located a 2nd body of water nearby that appears to be loaded with goldfish, and a few bullheads. I've walked around it that past 2 evenings with my wife, but haven't fished it yet.

skunks are cute!

The average life expectancy of a ferret is 6 years. Learning is stressful on the poor mindless critters. 1 year per stage. After that, they are furry fertilizer, and ferrets aren't the most pleasant-smelling of critters even while still alive. Cute, though. We used to have one as a pet, and my first college roomie illegally kept one in our room for most of the year.

That one is being trained. It started out as a Field Ferret. It then works its way up through Flowerbed Ferret, Marsh Mink, Orchard Polecat, and someday....Garden Weasel.

This looks easy.

The gator looks very well fed. @Ketchup Will you be posting the pictures of your big bass and crappies? I forget what big fish look like... 😁

Excellent! I would not have known this one. I better brush up on these!

https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/premium-400-4-person-20-jet-plug-and-play-hot-tub-with-heater-ozone-and-led-waterfall-aqrs1066.html?piid=14225664 Or if you really are stuck on wood-burning hot tub... https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/aleko-2-person-pine-wood-fired-hot-tub-bpsp1992.html We had a really nice 6-person hot tub at our house in Iowa. 360-degree waterfall, multi-colored lights, 2 motors, built in Bluetooth stereo, lighted handrail next to the exterior steps. It sat off the back deck under its own separate gazebo. The new owner wanted to keep the gazebo, but didn't want the hot tub. I gave it away for free to a coworker. It was @ 5 years old.

Polo Lake Drive. That should get 'em close enough to recognize their surroundings. 😜

Yeah, they might suddenly feel welcome, loved and appreciated! 😄

@HamNice one!

Did you paint the deer? @Al Agnew originals?

It looks like the golden guy on the trophy is holding up another trophy. So...just guessing here... maybe its a trophy for having the most trophies. Or a trophy for making the most or best trophies. Or a trophy for presenting the most trophies. Or... maybe its for "participation"? Spelling Bee champ? For making it this far? We all deserve one for that, right? Garage sale find?

Jumbo! Way to be tuned in! 👍

So did I!

That is what I thought as well. And that Koi was also a common carp variant. Maybe its all recent reclassifications? Also...fish and humans share 70% of their genes. So... That little bit of trivia will be of absolutely no help. Ever. But how about this? Human teeth origins are traced to fish scales. Boom. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-42057629 I just caught my distant cousin! Or look at a Fish Fry as sort of an "Extended Family Reunion"! 😄

I've read some conflicting information that Koi are simply domesticated Common Carp. But not so fast...turns out Koi are descended from Amur carp...and don't confuse that with White Amur (Grass Carp). Here's what I could find regarding genus/species names for these fish: Common Carp - Cyprinus carpio Grass Carp - Ctenopharyngodon idella Koi - Cyprinus rubrofuscus Goldfish - Carassius auratus Leather carp are their own species, although artificially bred. Mirror Carp are a subspecies of Common Carp. There are are a surprising number of common carp species that all look pretty similar but must be from isolated areas of Europe and Asia. There are also Crucian Carp and Prussian Carp...and more.

I've probably stated this before....I grew up catching carp in rivers on doughball my dad made. Its like feeding big minnows...not the most exciting method of fishing. We ate them. But I still like fish anyway. 😬 Carp on flies aren't usually easy, and they may not be everyone's cup o tea, but they are a LOT of fun! Trying to get them to hit something artificial turns them into a predator, at least in my mind. Really makes you appreciate them. I used to try for them during my lunch hours. Might go for weeks without a strike, then might catch 3 in 45 minutes. Here's just a few from 2018. ...you get the idea.

Well...now I'm just starting rumors then! 🙊