17/07/2021
To any of us in the "know" the challenge of keeping the lakes healthy in mid-summer is daunting, heat and low oxygen being the big two fish killers, with cormorants, mink and poor recovery, coming up behind. Then there are parasites.
A little research shows that a small aerator, to get more oxygen into the water, costs about £1000. We have over 30 acres!
But we are British (please hum either "Land of Hope and Glory" or the "Dam Busters" theme at this point of this message.....😉).
We invent. We take the situation and change it. We adapt.
So, ....
There are things in the lakes, doing stuff. And we are running around with oxygen meters testing them. Effectively there are two types of devices, one blowing bubbles up, and one pushing oxygenated water down. We (that is Bob, Stan, Graham et al., I just watch--they deserve the title of "engineers" , I don't!) have made these for a fraction of the price above and are now testing them.
So, if you see a small punt in Great Pool, with no one in it, but batteries and solar panels, the driver had not fallen in the water and is lost (well I hope not) but it is anchored and being tested. Similar areas, as in Park Meadow, have buoys near them.
All these bits of kit have tubes, anchors, and things below the surface. If you catch a fish near them it has an excellent chance of breaking you and snagging you on these. So be very careful near them!
Will keep you posted!
Meanwhile, as of Friday night, both lakes are holding up well. I am still averaging about 5 for an evening visit.
Nik
