PROTECTION FOR FISH

Question
Hi
I have had a pond for about 5 years about 10 ft by 17 ft...from 2 to 3 ft deep with about 80 good size goldfish...
i have had my share of problems with Heron.s and other critters and now use a water sensor scarecrow...
as fall is approching and the lillies and water plants will be gone leaving the fish with no protection...someone told me to buy some pipe to lay in pond where fish could then hide ???? is this a good idea, or you got some other suggestions...if pipe is the only answer then what size and type...what about toxic ?....
i been covering the pond with a net during winter...
as i write this mail i am loosing fish now and during the night even with scarecrow in place...
yesterday i found 2 of my largest goldfish by a bush laying dead side by side about 3 ft away from pond... there were no marks on them whatsoever...it was like someone had placed them there??? i am totally stunned as i cant find an answer...it would look like someone had scooped them out and put them side by side...that i dont think is the answer...the fish are now scared and like in the past wont come around for a few days...
Any input you may have will be very much appreciated
  Ray  

Answer
Net your pond now.  I've had my pond since 1997 with no heron problems until this spring.  I have lots of plants, PVC pipes (those non-toxic pipes you were asking about), clay pots, and a special thing sold for fish to hide in.  I lost my favorite goldfish.  A net was the only thing that worked for me.  As for those non-eaten goldfish outside the pond, that was NOT the work of a heron who would swallow them whole.  It might possibly be a cat or raccoon but I don't know why they wouldn't have at least bit into the fish.  See these pages on my site for more on herons and predators:

http://www.fishpondinfo.com/pmamm.htm
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/birds.htm#heron

Good luck!
Robyn