Thanks Henry & Dick & Mat

[MikeM]

Well, Henry is back from the cold North and I guess Dick is on his way home soon. I have to thank Henry for making the New Jersey harvest seem so real through his photos. And Dick for helping in the selection of "something special". And a special thanks to Mat McCann for creating her.

There is something special in seeing koi harvests in Japan and America in October. It gives substance to the ZNA notion of friendship through scales. And, we all join in admiring the art created by breeders' eyes and sweat and frozen fingers and dirty hands.

This is as special as the koi.

[HenryC]

It was my pleasure Mike. Kind of fun spending someone else's money. It was all I could do to not pull out my own wallet once I got a look at what Mat had available this year. Just before I left, Mat dangled one last Koi in front of me, very special. If Carl's price is right and the new pond gets underway soon, I may just have to take him up on his offer.

It still surprises me that there are not more hobbyists at the harvest each year. I would have expected every hobbyists within a few hour drive to flock to the farm. Now that you have a Koi coming out of the mud next fall, you will have to avoid any court cases next October. Mat plans to make the sansai harvest a few weeks earlier next year so it isn't quite so cold. Not too bad for the observers, but not too nice for those digging around in the mud in order to pull out the jewels.

[MikeM]

Hmmmm... what could that have been?

Well, I think this one is special enough. I'll need to do something to clear my schedule next year so I can see her come out. (Tried to post her pic yesterday, but something went wrong. Should work now.)

[keokoi]

Mike, You lucky to have such good friends you can trust to pick quality koi for you..

Thanks to all those who went and posted pics of the experience. Hoping we can do such a thing here on the west coast..

Joe

[Dan Blatt]

Any pictures of Dick's asagi? Nice kohaku(or maybe Sanke....can't enlarge the photo) Mike!

[Regenmeneer]

Mike, I'm not able to open the picture!

Regenmeneer

[dcny]

Quote: Originally Posted by Regenmeneer Mike, I'm not able to open the picture! Regenmeneer

That's the actual size of the photo. Normally if there's a larger photo, the caption above says "Attached Thumbnails".

[MikeM]

O.K. ... I messed up again. I've substituted pics so it should enlarge now.

[dick benbow]

Mike,
You were in good hands with Mat and Henry. The koi was selected, photoed
and awaiting my check mark upon arrival. I looked at a lot of fish that 4 day
vacation and couldn't agree more with the selection. Congrats!
It was a joy to get to know Henry. I want to get him out to the Spokane show as a judge sometime. His showa tosai selection was killer!
I will have koi in the grow ponds for next year Mike, and I do hope you will
come join us so that we can Pal around together for a day or two.
And for those of you reading this message, come get a koi yourself and have Mat and Ross grow it for you. The experience and results will make you too want to make it an annual experience!
Again congrats Mike, your Sanke is a very special fish!

[MikeM]

I'm going to have to find a way to be there, Dick....Henry won't take any more excuses! Actually, this is a tough time of year every year business-wise, because my firm's fiscal year ends 10/31 and then we go into budgets & stuff for the new year. Always lots of "stuff" to do. Not to mention, the clients that pay the bills still have to come first. But, I'm planning now for a long weekend next October. Maybe we'll know the harvest date by next August? LOL

When you can, you gotta get us more progress shots of Kimiko, and the tosai you've been growing. That was a great pic Henry posted, but I bet there are some more.