What a Day yesterday. I had a lack of work and the gear in my car, so at noon I had had enough surfing of the net, and headed off to Lake Vadnais. If there weren’t water in the lake there would have been tumble weeds I swear. about 20 people out fishing, and everyone but me and one other fishing for pike. So after 2 hours and multiple locations I decided to go to a pond by my house. It’s bart of the DNR FIN program, and is a popular summer spot for kids, and a heavily fished spot in the winter since it’s stocked with eyes.
Well I thought I would go back to my roots, and shore fish a small pond for fun rather than a trophy or dinner. Well It was back to my roots alright. I was catching fish left and right. however they were all what I have always refered to as the “pre-school” class. saying thy were 4″ on average would be pushing it. Not even the new UL could make these guys a good fight. But I was outside, and catching fish knowing one day in the next 5 years these same size fish are going to provide me , and my son PLENTY of entertainment.
I started at the mid point of this pond with the plan to work my way back to the car. well I had one last cast at my 1st spot before moving to the next spot, and a very healthy 8″ gill Takes the bait. I land this healthy fish, to find it’s a DNR tagged fish! 
20+ years of fishing, and my 1st tagged fish. What a rush! After recording the info, and a few pictures. I set it back. Well now I assume I may have found a better class of fish so I give a few more cast. 3 more dinkers. 
next cast I land a 10″ gill with ANOTHER tag. 
I realize my ods of catching tagged fish on a smaller pond is greater than on a lake like Mille Lacs, But still great fun. so afteer some info, and more pictures off it goes to provide some future anglers as much fun as the did me.
Who knew 2 Gills could provide so much fun, and excitement for a day. It was just like when I was younger fishing from the dock of the local bait shop, and every fish I caught no matter the size was the fish of a life time.