A fish tale

DAYTON–The recent flood of 2020 set the tone for this new decade with one happy ending. During the flood on February 6, Clark and Shannon Simpfendrefer's backyard filled with the Patit Creek and Touchet River covering what once was an enjoyable back yard with a fish pond.

When the water receded, four Koi, two which were 13 and 14 years old, were swept into the river channel. The Simpfenderfer family were heartbroken and thought for sure their spoiled fishy family members were lost forever. "We had been praying that they would survive and find a home somewhere downstream," said Simpfenderfer.

Good news came over a month later when they read a Facebook post made on March 18, 2020 by Valarie Benavides asking "Anyone lose any fish in the flood? She posted a picture of the white and orange Koi fish found by her children Quinn, Claudia and Blake Benavides while playing in the once-again tame Patit Creek.

"When they spotted a pretty fish, they managed to net it and brought him back to the house where they placed him in a watering trough," said Benavides.

It was with disbelief and skepticism the fish found could be one of the four lost Koi. After seeing the photo, Simpfenderfer replied to the message stating its name was Little Boy Blue because he was, at the time of the flood, totally blue. He asked if it looked like the fish had blue eye shadow over its eyes. The answer came back, YES! He asked to come by to take a look.

As it turns out, the fish was indeed Little Boy Blue. The only difference was during the fish's free swim in the Patit Creek he turned colors. Once totally blue, his colors are white and orange but still has blue eye shadow.

While repairs are being made to the Simpfenderfer's backyard pond, the fish swimmingly finds a temporary home in Bette Lou Crother's pond. We are so grateful to Bette Lou Crothers," said Simpfenderfer. "We will be by to visit Little Boy Blue."