SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) - Volunteers fanned out in a Carmel Mountain pond to rescue koi on Saturday
Five fish were left behind when the Carmel Mountain Country Club closed over the summer. Since then, neighbors began complaining about the smell from the pond and koi in the water.
Neighbor Jerry Myers has come to the pond twice a week to check on the conditions.
He maintains they were safe for the koi, but over time the conditions would eventually worsen.
He and the other volunteers waited until the water level dropped to where it currently is so they could get a better chance at catching the elusive fish.
They snagged the fish one at a time. Each is about two feet long and very leery of people. The koi seemed to take pleasure hiding in the most out-of-reach areas.
Volunteers said the mud is about 2 feet deep and the water smelled very unpleasant.
A few fish suffered injuries and were treated, but others were unharmed.
The fish will eventually end up at the owner of the country club’s mother who has an existing pond at her home. However, technically the fish will still belong to the country club.
State fish and wildlife wouldn't allow volunteers to take the bass in the pond because they are a native species that could have viruses and pathogens that could spread if they are relocated.