So, I bought a cool tool for my pond.

[Mike in Vermont]

Every year when my lilies start to flower, new pads grow up over the blossoms. Then I can't see them. My largest patch is over 10 feet across. I tried cutting a few off with my brush cutters but, that didn't work very well. I was looking on Amazon and I came across this 46 inch cut and grab tool. There was even a real short video showing it work. I paid $20.88 with free shipping and received it in a day and a half.
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It's super light and seems durable. I've made a few hundred cuts already. The pole can easily rotate 180 degrees for plants growing sideways. It makes a clean cut and has a locking handle for storage.
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Here's what it would look like in a few weeks.

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When I started pruning I could see about 6 blossoms. This is what it looks like after doing a little trimming. Since these pics, I have done a lot more.

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Corona LR 3460 Long Reach Cut 'n' Hold Pruner, 1/2-Inch Cut

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[Lisak1]

Mike, Mike, Mike... get your waders on and get IN the pond!

Just kidding. That looks like an incredibly handy tool - it would be great for those times when I want to just trim a few things and don't necessarily want to climb all the way in to do it. And can I just say your lilies look AMAZING! Are they growing in pots or free floating?

 

[Mike in Vermont]

Thanks. My pond has a clay bottom. No pots.

 

[Mike in Vermont]

Oh, I did a lot of this trimming from the boat. Oar in one hand and trimmer in the other.

 

[Lisak1]

Are those native water lilies? We have one here in Illinois that looks similar - I think it's called the American waterlily or something like that.

 

[Mike in Vermont]

My brother planted them about ten years ago. I guess I'm not sure what kind they are.