Koi Club of San Diego

Volume 23 Issue 10

KOI CLUB OF SAN DIEGO

NEWSLETTER

October 2023

We’d like to welcome all of our Koi Club of San Diego Members to our new Facebook GROUP!

Koi Club of San Diego has a Facebook PAGE and a Facebook GROUP.  Below is the explanation of the differences and how to join (you have to have or create your own Facebook account first):

PAGE

GROUP

Who is it for?

Members and general public

Only current members

Purpose

To inform public of our Koi Club, brag about it, promote and share our events.

For members to communicate and collaborate, ask questions, request help from other club members and post photos of their koi ponds.

Why should I “Join”/”Like”?

“Like” and “Share” to promote our Club to other koi enthusiasts or possible sponsors. Please “Share” with anyone who might be interested!

Join for the reasons stated above. This GROUP is for YOU!

Who can post?

Admins only, but others can comment

All current Club members can create, comment and share posts, plus upload photos.

Where do I “Join”/”Like”

https://www.facebook.com/KoiClubofSanDiego

https://www.facebook.com/groups/koiclubofsandiegomembersonlygroup/?ref=share

You will be asked three questions when joining the GROUP and your current membership status will be verified. The answers to the questions will help us with club operations, free surveys, sign up lists, and the list of members willing to host meetings and/or volunteer.

We hope to see you on our Facebook GROUP!

2023 KOI CLUB OF SAN DIEGO KOI AUCTION

BY MATT RHOADES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL NEWELL

This last Saturday, the club’s annual koi auction took place at San Diego Pond and Garden in Poway. Our many wonderful volunteers jumped right to it to complete the set-up for the event; putting up pop-up shade covers and setting up the chairs for the 22 bidders we had for the event. When I arrived at San Diego Pond and   

Garden, there were already three sellers filling out the Seller Registration Form on the koi they were putting into the auction. By 8 AM, two hours before

auction was to commence; there were already fifty bags of koi in the holding tanks. Rick Leach, the two Jacks from Ramona, and myself, who were the fish-handling team, were right there to check in the fish. There was a total of 80 fish bags when the dust settled...

Scotty would walk back to where the koi would start the catwalk run and he would utter “OOH ! We’re going hold off on starting the bidding until everyone has had an opportunity to see this beautiful koi”. He went over the merits of each koi as it was wheeled down the runway by either Jeanette Newell or Jack Story Sr.   I heard Scotty say many times ``This koi is a show quality. You better snatch it up 

before I jump into the bidding”.

There was a sneak appearance at the auction by Galen Hansen AKA the Michael Jordan of koi and one of the founders of the Koi Club of San Diego, along with his wife Maureen.  He said to me “That fish (pointing at the koi going down the bidding runway), if you bought it in a store, it would cost you $7,000”.

After the lunch break, it was back to bidding, Many doitsu koi were bid on, as well as the most Sankes that this writer has seen at this auction in years. Bekkos, Shiro Utsuris, and even a Hana Asagi made an appearance for sale. Before long, the koi for sale became the koi sold. The cashiers table of Jill Rhoades and Dorene Dias went to work collecting payment and instructing

the buyers what the procedure is to secure their new pond members. Within minutes, koi were loaded into vehicles and soon on their journey to their new homes.

It was a wonderful event to exchange knowledge, money, and koi.  Again, my thanks to the koi club members who stepped up and volunteered to make this auction happen. After a few days' rest and a week’s regiment of turmeric doses, I'll be looking forward to seeing what next year’s event brings forth. And oh, I broke ranks and bid on a koi and won. It’s a 22 inch Aka Bekko….nice!

Photos from the September Club meeting

by Bill Newell

Social hour - 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm

Meeting begins at 1 pm

Potluck, bring your own chair

OUR HOSTS WILL BE

John and Nikki Schultz

1954 Oak View Place

Alpine,  CA 91901 

PONDER PROFILE

John and Nikki Schultz

Huge trees, green bushes, rolling grass all surrounding a natural pond dedicated to Koi. The welcoming house surveys this acre and one-half property that is bounded by dedicated open space.

Magical can be described in so many ways. A couple of

years ago, when I first visited the home of Nikki and John Schultz in Alpine, I was disappointed that there had been no pond preview so I would know what to expect. It was then that I asked the club if I could re-start the long-time column started by John Svelan. I want you to feel the beauty and wonder before you get there on October 8^th.

Some of you were lucky enough to be at the meeting last year, I hope more of you will come this time. The yard is gorgeous and the pond enticing, but I want you to know a little more about our hosts before you arrive.

John is out-going and filled with whimsy, you never know what story you will hear  next. Originally raised in Chicago, he was brought to San Diego when the Marines drafted him during the Vietnam War. It took 21 months for the Marines to realize that this young man, who afflicted with polio as a child, was not physically able to be a “Marine”. When discharged, he decided to stay in the land of sunshine and palm trees. John spent 32 years working for the Navy all over San Diego while staying with one command. He was involved in soft-skill training among other responsibilities that gave him a chance to travel all over the world.

Whimsical and not ordinary is a good description of John. Years ago, he talked to me about his enjoyment at attending the Burning Man events. So, at the last meeting which was just a few days after the return from his 19^th trip to the annual event, I asked him some questions. Mostly, I was curious as to why 75,000 people would go to no-man’s land on a barren dry alkaline lake bed in Northern Nevada.

Although over the years, they have encountered difficult weather conditions, never has there been so much news coverage as this year. He loved every minute of the time that he shares with friends. We talked a lot and I took lots of notes, but I suggest that you check out the website www.Burningman.org and learn more for yourself. As a life-long Girl Scout, I was surprised to learn that their motto is “Leave no trace” which seems impossible to imagine, but is real.

Nikki, on the other hand, was raised in beautiful Vermont where she was a realtor for many years. While being married to her job, she realized what she was missing in other parts of the country. That is when she ventured to San Diego. Here, she fell in love with our landscape and the variety of homes and places to live in our area and became very successful.

In the late 1990’s, John, a divorced father raising 3 sons, put a crazy ad in The Reader. Among other things, he wanted a woman who was not a Cancer in the astrological scheme and who could also jitterbug.

Enter Nikki who also loved to dance. In the last 22 years they have loved, laughed, and traveled together. Their adventures are filled with stories that would amaze.

In 2019 they found this home in Alpine, which Nikki says was prettier than the pictures. They have made changes to the property, including making it into an Air B&B using a 5^th wheel. They have had many visitors who enjoy the rustic make-up of their temporary home. The property, known as Bliss Ranch, comes with a small section of western buildings which are being re-vamped for rental, as well.

John views his pond as a recreational viewing pond where there are beautiful lilies and small caves to protect the fish from a very-determined heron who haunts them. Due to old pipes and irrigation problems which affected the pond, John has added a 2500 gallon holding tank.

The house is beautiful inside and out with very creative features added by the contractor who built the house. At some time during your visit, check out the front door. It is a collage of a variety of tiles. Challenge yourself to find the “House Mouse”.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

by Lenore Wade

An immense “thank you” to Thom and Lynne Fuller for hosting our September meeting at their beautiful home in the magical surroundings of Muth Valley.  A special thanks to all of you who made the effort to come out on what was supposed to be a day of grueling heat. I think the “Koi Gods” were watching over us, because it was a most pleasant afternoon with a huge turnout. If my count is accurate, I believe there were 42 members and guests present. Julia Schriber did a very informative presentation on using pond water for irrigation which was meant to show everyone that not everything has to be a technical nightmare taking care of our ponds.

I hope those of you in attendance took advantage of the offered tour of the house on the hill. Besides being totally functional for Lynne and her wheelchair, it is a masterpiece of design and color…the view is not bad either! They answered so many questions about the reasons for their choices. I was amazed by the oven door which opens side-ways and not down.

During the meeting, Thom mentioned that he needed to do some extensive repair on his pond. It will be a big job. To that end, the club may help with a hands-on work party for which Thom will make a donation to the club for their support.  Stay tuned for an E-blast with future details.

Yesterday was the Koi Club’s Annual Auction held at San Diego Pond and Garden. To all there, it seemed to be a great success. Preliminary numbers seem to play out that observation. There were 22 paid bidders that spent lots of money to buy over 80 bags of fish. Jill Rhoades reports that the club took in $4400.00. That is before the pay-out to those who brought and sold fish. The more money in the bank means a better chance of having koi shows in the future.

The whole area of the auction was a beehive of activity. There were 6 tanks of bagged fish waiting for auctioneer Scotty Yee to start the bidding, while there were many members running in productive circles to make sure everything ran smoothly. There were fish presenters with a rolling cart, fish baggers, fish taggers, tub washers, water fillers, water dumpers and a host of other jobs. The whole operation was under the wise and experienced eye of Matt Rhoades who kept the process running without a hitch. Jill Rhoades patiently kept track of all the monies that were coming in and will be going out. Jill’s “real-life job” deals with money and she is a perfect fit to keep our finances in order.

I mentioned all the jobs that were done, but none of it would have worked if the club members hadn’t stepped forward to help. Old members, new members, children of members, and relatives of members all spent hours to make the event a success.

Personally, I would like to thank the members who helped me unload and re-load my car with very heavy tables, even heavier coolers of soda and water plus all the food I brought. It was a wonderful feeling when I realized that I didn’t even need to ask for help. Members just stepped forward.

Hopefully, we will have new members join the club. Many bidders present for the first time were surprised that there was an actual club of koi lovers. When they were told the benefits of membership, their eyes sparkled. Like most of us, they have had trauma with their ponds, and just knowing help could be a phone call away sounded like a good investment. They also loved the idea of seeing other ponds at our monthly meetings.

The October meeting will be at the home of John and Nikki Schultz in Alpine. Their beautiful property and natural pond make for an ideal meeting place. I hope to see you there on October 8^th.

On a sadder note, long time member Bill Arnswald lost his 3-year battle with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which is a bone marrow cancer.  Our condolences go out to his wife Joy who has said she will continue her membership and hopes to attend meetings once again.

We need to remember to thank Chien Lee who has consistently donated Nijikawa koi food for us. This month, too, I would like to thank Carter’s Hay and Grain in Lakeside for donating a large bag of Ultra Balance food for the gift table.

In closing, I would like to thank the members who have been bringing treasures for our gift table. The last meeting was a real treat when Lynne donated 5 dozen eggs from her chickens. I hope whoever got Lynne’s big pumpkin is enjoying it!!!

A THANK YOU LETTER TO THE KOI CLUB OF SAN DIEGO

The Self Realization Fellowship in Encinitas has three connected Koi ponds in the Meditation Gardens. Unfortunately, they have experienced some koi deaths in the upper pond. The Fellowship had reached out to the KCSD for help. Matt Rhoades, John Svelan, and Buck Buckles came to the rescue! Please find the letter of gratitude received by the Club.

Dear Mrs. Schriber, 

Thank you very much for responding so quickly to my ‘cry for help’ and sending. John Svelan and his two friends to check out our ponds. They quickly detected that the koi were not dying from a disease but from a systemic problem and their water analysis confirmed a lower oxygen content on the upper pond compared to the lower pond.

Their expertise, enthusiasm and freely sharing their knowledge was very inspiring and it was a joy to be around and learn from them. They gave me the confidence to find solutions to the problem.  Please, pass on my regards and gratitude.

Thank you, again, and best wishes for you and the San Diego Koi Club.

Sincerely,

Brahmachari Wolfgang

Seining of the Japanese Friendship Garden Pond

By Matt Rhoades

Saturday, August 5, 2023 was the day that nine members of the club descended on the main pond at the Japanese Friendship Garden. A year or so ago there had been an accidental spawning (Who let the boy in?) that resulted in thousands of koi fry taking up residence. There had been two or three other attempts to clear the main pond of these unwanted squatters. The captured koi were bagged up and moved to the lower pond near the Tea House in the canyon section of the garden’s grounds.

But some of these rascals had eluded capture because of their dark coloration (camouflage) and by taking advantage of the “many” nooks and crannies that the Fung Shui rocks in the pond provide. More on that later. By the time we arrived on that Saturday, these koi had grown to 14-18 inches long and were as wild as heck.

So, the nine members from the club met up at 8 AM that Saturday to get the last of those koi up and out to their new home. Linda Pluth oversaw the operation by getting the captured koi into bags to transfer down to the lower pond. Rick Leach, Ben Adams, Bruce Miller, and the two Jacks from Ramona moved the koi (by pole nets) from the pond-side to the transfer tubs, bagged fish, and carried the koi in the bags to the lower pond. And doing most of the pole-net captures was Buck Buckles; our General Patton for koi related operations. He did most of the captures on the edge of the pond, but I did see him “slip-in" to retrieve a fish or two; staying mostly dry.

My son Cole and I worked in the pond moving seine nets and other forms of blocking to isolate areas of the water for clearing; we reached into those nooks and crannies, as mentioned before; to get the stubborn ones out to be netted; and when we had corralled many of the koi to be moved, we held the seine net 2-3 feet above the ponds surface so the jumper/flyers couldn't escape. I alone got hit in the face twice by jumpers. One fell back into the netted circle; the other escaped to a short-lived freedom until we reestablished the nets and captured the escapees.

The collection of the fish took a little longer than we expected due mostly to having to re-clear certain areas of

peski magoi. Soon visitors to the 

garden were overseeing the pond and asking questions. Most were very interested in learning and seeing even these koi up-close.

In all, it was a good way to spend the morning working to clear the main pond at the garden of unwanted koi and geek out on koi.

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA KOI RESCUE

Wednesday, October 11th

at 7:00 pm

(earlier if you are ordering food)

ALL MEMBERS WELCOME!

Dennys

2691 Navajo Road

El Cajon, CA 92020 

Mike & Pam Brito
John & Nikki Schultz
Ben & Cheryl Adams
Dean Strasser
Judie Lincer
David & Barbara Cheung
Kathy & Ernie Stewart
Amy and Edward Biliunas
Frank Cannizzaro
Jack Chapman

Galen & Maureen Hansen

KHA KORNER

by "Koi Jack" Chapman

FALL SEASON IN 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Well, I’m sort of back in the saddle after dealing with a 44 day hospital stay,

but I’m on the road to full recovery and just want to say thank you for your

prayers and cards.

Been a year since I wrote about this very important subject so as a

reminder, I’ve decided to just reprint last October's 2022 unchanged article.

So soon we will reach the fall season and for us the coast area will see lower

temps sooner and we inland will still have some warmer days late into fall.

Good time to sit with your koi and evaluate what you and your fish have

been doing for the past seven or eight months. What were your goals or

what were you hoping to see happen during this past spring and summer

season? Even if you did not have any goals it’s a good time to review what

has happened with your pond system and your koi (really). Even if you

only wanted the status quo or nothing bad to happen – so what happened

and what were you doing to maintain your pond and koi??? This is when I

put my shameless plug in for you to have a pond journal even if you only

write in it a couple times a year!!! It’s even a good time to think about what

would you like to see happen next year (pond and koi)??? So now that

you’re out by your pond and making notes (past and future) and maybe on

your second drink LOL it’s time to get the pond and koi ready for your

winter season. Paying attention to your pond and koi during the winter

season better prepares your pond and your koi for an uneventful spring.

For us with mild winters, I like to advocate that a good filter cleaning (SEP-

OCT) is an excellent way to prepare your pond and koi for the winter

season. Your koi’s immune system is charged fully with less chance of

having sick koi from the unavoidable stuff (bacteria/particulate

matter/critters) you will add to the water column from a good cleaning.

Good time to have less junk (detritus – decomposing organic compounds

DOC) in your filter for the bad bugs to winter over on and explode their

populations in early spring with possible resulting sick koi (Aeromonas

alley or even parasites). This year proved to be especially bad for both

internal and external bacterial infections (Aeromonas – hole in the side

infections) with several club members losing one or more koi to include the

Japanese Friendship Garden (JFG), which lost 8 koi. I lost 3 koi this year

to bacterial infections and that had never happened to me before YUK!

Almost all those affected had added koi last fall or this spring and with only

one exception were not accompanied by additional parasite infections.

Trust me when I say you want to do anything possible to avoid a large

Aeromonas outbreak in your pond. For the JFG we called in the

veterinarian – Todd Cecil, DVM - who came to the koi pond and along with

solicited club members – John Svelan, Adriana Cespedes, Linda Pluth,

Matt Rhoades and myself the following was accomplished. John and I

packed our trucks every other day for 10 days with large tubs, nets, air

pumps and ulcer treatment materials. The koi pond at JFG was seined and

21 mostly adult koi were netted and placed in the large tubs for individual

examination by veterinarian leading to each koi receiving two antibiotic

injections and topical treatment of all ulcers before returning each koi to

the pond. Culture and sensitivity tests were also taken and later a deceased

koi was sent to a California State lab for necropsy which identified 3

different bacterial infections (Shewanella putrifaciens; Pseudomonas spp;

and Aeromonas veronii). The same was accomplished for the last four (3

hour) visits, minus the vet, and only one antibiotic injection and topical

treatment of ulcers. I can’t thank my fellow club members enough – their

efforts made the treatment regimen possible. Sure makes you think twice

when buying new koi and reviewing your quarantine practices. Now back

to fall LOL -With winter comes leaves and you want to always keep them

out of your pond and filter system as their decomposition are the hotels for

the bad bugs. This mass of DOC also erodes water quality. If you have

water plants this is when they die back so work at removing the dead plant

material!! Time to think about reducing the quantity of food and going to

an all season or wheat germ-based food. When my pond water hits 55F I’ll

begin feeding every other day and at 52F twice a week and quit at 50F. Koi

articles recommend stop feeding at 50F and I have a friend with nice koi

who stops at 55F. Water temp down equal’s koi metabolism down (cut in

half for each 17 degrees Fahrenheit) - so the koi do not have the capability

to process high levels of protein. Unprocessed food passes out the vent and

provides high value nutrition for the bad bugs during winter giving you a

larger base population come aeromonas alley in the spring (BIG TIME). A

lot of our local area ponds do not go below 47/48F during winter and

aeromonas does not go dormant until around 39F. Koi get larger each year

and we have been known to add koi from time to time so it’s a good time to

review filtration and bio-chamber capacity to keep up with the

ammonia/nitrite pollution demand. Don’t forget DOC adds additional

ammonia to the water column. Remember we have recirculating systems

that have to refresh the water our koi pollute with each breath and poop.

NO – twice the size does not = twice the pollution. Think 3 to 4 times the

pollution due to body mass. Adding bio-filter capacity in the fall is a good

idea as it will be on line (up and running) for spring or you could consider a

reduced fish load (no joke). Just because it’s winter time does not mean

your pond maintenance goes on vacation. I really missed not having our

annual koi auction last year and now find myself with 4 to 6 koi I need to

find homes for or my koi additions this fall will be reduced YUK. Don’t

forget our annual koi auction this month, on Sunday, October 24th – come

help please and see ya there. Contact Tamsie to volunteer.

For your consideration - Nicholas Saint-Erne, DVM and author of “Advance

Koi Care” has recommended that autumn (pg119) “A 2-week course of 0.3%

salt is a good preventive treatment against protozoal parasite.” He also

offers a 3-dose preventive treatment of formalin/malachite green solution.

Erik Johnson, DVM has also supported the use of salt against certain koi

parasites in his book “Koi Health and Disease.” And I would add you

review the use of potassium permanganate and yes, I use it on day 1 and

day 3 after I complete the fall cleaning of my bio chamber. While not

wanting to get my butt caught in controversy and I’ve not talked to Doctor

Nick or Erik but due to publishing date of their books and several later

anecdotal remarks from Japanese breeders and dealers in USA regarding

increasing resistance to salt from parasites coming out of Japan – I have

gone to 2 or 3 weeks at 0.4% for preventive salt treatments in the spring

(Feb/Mar) for both my pond and the Japanese Friendship Garden for the

past 5 years. My salt pond treatment is done AFTER our annual koi show

(March) as salt results in additional slime coat which can DULL the

sharpness in the appearance of color and reflection of Gin Rin. Lastly, I

would only remind you that the more serious treatments for koi parasites

are in my opinion reserved for microscope confirmed infections of specific

identified parasites.

To end on a fun note - fall is the time to review your koi collection and if

pond space/koi count is available it is the perfect time to review the fall

season (Oct/Nov) new koi arriving at your favorite koi dealership.

Remember red is considered best as a primary color when viewing your koi

population as a group in your pond. It does not matter if you want a

$20/200/2,000-dollar koi or just a fun day with a few koi friends you just

can’t beat the excitement of looking at all the new koi each year. Looking

forward to seeing everyone at our next backyard club koi meeting, but in

the interim be safe and healthy.

r/koi jack

PLEASE VISIT OUR APPAREL SHOP!

THANK YOU JAMIE KANES FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS!

Notes from Koi Club of San Diego Steering Committee Meeting

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023 by Tamsie Pierce

Members Present in person:

Lenore Wade                      Matt Rhoades                    Jill Rhoades

Julia Schriber                      Dorene Dias                       Tamsie Pierce

 Al Pierce                             Ben Adams                        Janine Martinez

Jill Leach                             Stan Leach                         Tony Martinez       

Called to Order at 7:00 PM

September meeting was well attended by many new members. Very impressive host home and meeting.

Koi food donations are getting low. There will be an attempt to contact koi food distributors about donations to the club for the monthly drawing. Lenore will write "Thank Yous" to the donors.

October newsletter submissions due.

There were some problems ordering name tag pins on line. Julia is working on it.

Most everything is under control for the upcoming Auction. Some concerns on tear down at the end were expressed. The oxygen tanks and regulators are accounted for.

VP Venue- Meeting hosts 2024:

January – Cory & Shannon Burke, Alpine

February - Lenore Wade, El Cajon

March - Jack & Jeanne Story, Ramona

April – Dorene Dias Pesta, San Diego

October – Dick & Bonita Long, San Diego

December Frank & Nancy Cannizzaro, San Diego

Auction concerns on the equipment sales. Equipment will be on view in the lunch sales area.

Treasurer- income $966, expenses $890. The financial health is improving.

“Set up” fees for finances: renew on line, automatic payment, processing fees on line. MSAP to approve second level to set up fee for membership ($1.69 per transaction). Motion to set up automatic payment membership level made and passed.

JFG - The pond is going well. There are still openings for more volunteers to be at the pond during open hours.

Cleaning the pond bio filter - usually done in September- will be skipped because too many other events involving members.

Membership - Getting low on the items included in the packets mailed to new members. Only 10 pocket koi IDs left.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15

Koi Person of The Year 2023 Julia Schriber

OFFICERS

EMAIL

President: Lenore Wade   

lenorewade@yahoo.com

First VP-Program: Matt Rhoades

KCSDKoi.Kichi@gmail.com

Second VP-Venue: Dorene Dias

vpofvenue.koiclubofsandiego@gmail.com

Secretary: Tamsie Pierce

tamsie@cox.net

Treasurer: Jill Rhoades

treasurer.kcsd@gmail.com

APPOINTED OFFICERS

EMAIL

Newsletter editor/

Webmaster: Julia Schriber

julia.schriber@gmail.com

Membership Chairman: Jill Leach

Koi Health Advisor/

Librarian: Jack Chapman

jackchapman1@cox.net

Club Historian: Dr. Galen Hansen

galenkoi@aol.com

Property Manager: Al Pierce

alpierce@cox.net

Correspondence Secretary: Shirley Elswick

 sfelswick@cox.net

Japanese Friendship Garden Liaison: Linda Pluth

 lpluth@cox.net

HELPING HANDS

Koi Health Advisor/

Water Quality: Jack Chapman

jackchapman1@cox.net

To Host a Meeting: Dorene Dias

vpofvenue.koiclubofsandiego@gmail.com

To Submit an Article: Linda Pluth

 lpluth@cox.net

Program/Activities Suggestions: Matt Rhoades

WATER QUALITY REPORT

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