Glad X 2

[skillet]

 I finally got enough nerve to go up to this fellas house to ask permission to fish this small lake that he is the caretaker of the property that it is located on (have wanted to ask for years). Hated to ask, thinking he would turn me down :-[. He hemmed and hawed a little and then said it was OK, just take care of the lake. I assured him I would ;D. As I was getting in the truck to leave he said that there was a large pond behind his house and I was welcome to fish it too if I wanted (like I would turn him down :)...

                                                  As Ever,

                                                   skillet

[Bassboy15]

I've been wanting to ask the neighbor for permission to fish his farm pond...it's really hard to do though  

What made you gain the nerve?

[Hookemdown.]

I've been wanting to ask the neighbor for permission to fish his farm pond...it's really hard to do though  

What made you gain the nerve?

That's great that you found some more water skillet.

FM, your a big boy.  Go ask him.  I've been turned down a few times, the sting only lasts for a few days :

Just remember to be as respectful as you possibly can be when asking.  A "yes sir" instead of a "yep" can turn the tide for you.

[Taliesin]

I've always been shy about asking permission to fish ponds too. Part of it is that many people stopped allowing anyone to fish their ponds due to irresponsible people trashing the places.

However, the trend has started to fix itself. After denying permission to legitimate fishermen, they found out that it wasn't us trashing the ponds. A lot of them are allowing fishermen in again.

I have had some that asked us to do some maintenance (very minor fence repair) in return for permission, so be prepared to do a little work. The most I did was a couple of hours a year.

Once you do get permission, make sure you know what rules they want followed as far as what fish need to come out and what fish need to be released back in. One pond I have permission to fish in has flathead catfish in there. Once the owner found out that flatheads won't help keep a pond clean (and will try and eat his bass), he wanted them out.

Around here I have a bit of an advantage though. Any of the ponds around here I want to fish at will be places to stop on the way home from work, so I would be asking while on the way home. It just so happens that I am in the Air Force and the people around here are mighty grateful for those of us in uniform.

I do feel better about asking my neighbors than others on the way home though.

[skillet]

 FM, I just figured that I was shooting myself in the foot by not asking. If I didn't ask I was never going to get to fish the lake anyway :-?. Not too long ago I told someone on here that you had to get a thick skin and one yes made up for quite a few no's. I figured I needed to take my own advice :-[. Got turned down the last 2 times I asked. It's no fun, you tend to take it personal (like they think you've got REAL bad breath or something ;D). Most folks are just worried about you not taking care of their property or you getting hurt and sueing them (remember McDonald's and the hot coffee). Reread the posts from hookemdown and Taliesin and  ;)Good Luck the next time you ask. Post and let us know what happens...

                                                       As Ever,

                                                        skillet

[justfishin]

Good luck on your fishing these ponds. I would bet they contain some hogs. When I was young I used to rabbit, pheasant and quail hunt a lot. I used to ride by this farm and see all these pheasants everywhere. It was a Mennonite farm. I finally got the nerve one day to ask and when I approached them I told them that if they would let me hunt, when it came time to bail hay and straw every year, I would help. I had long hair and a beard when I was a young one. I never thought they would say yes. I worked a dairy farm milking all my life ( 208 head at one time ) and I was rented out to pick corn and Combine every season. When they found out I was on the up and up, they gave me permission. I hunted that place for many years and killed a lot of pheasants. I always offered some to them, as well as, some rabbits. I helped bail every year. We got to be friends. After awhile when I was done hunting they would invite me for lunch. I always timed it right. Their lunches consisted of beef, ham, chicken, beans and everything else out of the garden, homemade breads and deserts. It was great. The Mennonites and Amish sure can cook. Great times I had there. But, when those people work, they work. They about killed me !!!,lol.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I've been wanting to ask the neighbor for permission to fish his farm pond...it's really hard to do though

What made you gain the nerve?

All they can do is shoot ya ,its all i think about when  i pull up to  ask ;D  And when they say sure its such a pleasent feeling i almost wanna hug them

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Skillet-

-Check his recycle bin next time you go by his house, see what he drinks, a 12-pack or a small gift of gratitude goes a loooooong way.  

-Be seen picking up trash, always enter the property with a trash bag tucked into your belt loop in clear sight.

-report back to the owner with your findings about his water.  (great stock, poor stock, too much forage, not enough forage,etc)

Now GO GET 'EM!!  

Great news for you.

Have you investigated the other body yet?

[Fisher of Men]

While we're on the subject:

- Leave gates the way you find them (that's not always shut; sometimes livestock have to move from pasture to pasture to get water.

- Stay on established roads (trails) or edges of fields if no road is visible.

- JF offered some good advice by offering to help out (with farm chores, working cattle, fence repair as mentioned, etc.)

- In addition to offering some drinks or other gift, perhaps sharing some of the (cleaned) catch if you are allowed to keep some catfish of crappie.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

While we're on the subject:

- Leave gates the way you find them (that's not always shut; sometimes livestock have to move from pasture to pasture to get water.

- Stay on established roads (trails) or edges of fields if no road is visible.

- JF offered some good advice by offering to help out (with farm chores, working cattle, fence repair as mentioned, etc.)

- In addition to offering some drinks or other gift, perhaps sharing some of the (cleaned) catch if you are allowed to keep some catfish of crappie.

Great stuff from a different perspective.  I wasn't thinking of "farm" and how much work is involved and how much an extra hand can help.  I think it's called symbiosis (sp?)  The more you fish, the more his farm benefits.  Not to mention that's it's nice just to help out if you can.  If nothing else, you can be another set of eyes on his property for him.

[skillet]

Justfishin I bet those folks COULD put in a day's work. That was a great story. I really try and be responsible when on other folk's property and I already asked if I could keep some fish for him. Never thought of the liquid refreshment . I have already informed She Who Must Be Obeyed that the honeydo list would have to wait tomorrow, I'm going to try the first one I spoke of. Thanks Guys!!!

                                              As Ever,

                                               skillet