Crazy for Koi

Tim, Smackers, J.lo and the rest of the clan came running when Dotti Gurney rattled the can of food. They hustled around, jockeying for position to get the best morsel. Sound like the pets at your house?

These are a little different though. These pets are fish, koi to be exact – big koi. They flash colors of red (not orange), white, gold and even black as they twist and turn in the water. To Gurney and her husband Fred, they are as much pets as any dog or cat would be. “They are our pets and we spoil them rotten,” says Gurney. Up the hill from her, Dan and Sharon Olson maintain a collection of even larger fish and are as devoted to them as the Gurneys. Both couples are members of the Inland Empire Water Garden and Koi Society.

This Saturday and Sunday, the Gurneys, Olsons and other society members will share their passion for koi and water gardening as the group puts on the Fifth Annual Koi and Goldfish Show at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center.

The show will feature around 125 koi as well as a number of fancy goldfish entered in several different levels of competition. Collectors from all over the Northwest will be bringing fish to the show. Vendors with all kinds of fish and pond related products will also be attending.

“The word has gotten out about how nice our site is at the fairgrounds amongst the koi community so now we get several out-of-state vendors attending,” says Olson, the show chairman. “We expect around 2,000 people this year.”

On Saturday, the show will have a series of workshops to let you learn about the many details of becoming a pond and fish hobbyist. Some of the topics include developing landscaping around a pond, determining what size pond fits your space and desires and how to choose the right fish.

On Sunday, the show judges will gather to answer questions about the judging process and what they look for in prize-winning fish.