Netting works well. I have heard that the herons get used to the motion detecting water sprinklers and they aren't effective after a while. Another idea is to put small stakes (like tomato stakes) around the perimeter of the pond - about 2 feet from the edge. Run clear fishing line, supported by the stakes, about 18 inches from the ground. Since the herons don't usually land on the water but land back from the edge, the fishing line is supposed to deter them from getting within koi snatching positions. We used to use nets with a large rubber ball in the center to keep leaves out of the smaller pond in the fall. Nets are also useful during the spawn - the loved starved males sometimes will persue the females to the point that they will jump out of the pond. Poor gals.
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