The clocks have gone back, and it really feels like the end of the Koi year. It's dark in the morning when I leave for work and it is dark in the evening when I get home. The covers are on the pond and I do not see the fish much during the week at all – now you can appreciate the merits of having a window in your pond. All in all the hobby can be quite depressing at this time of year.

I now have to rely on my pond housekeeping to ensure the fish are safe and sound as I see so much less of them. Conservatories and fish houses are the way to go for the future to make the hobby a full 12 months. It’s a disappointing part of the hobby that, for many of us, it is a very short 'season' when our fish are lively and active so what do we do for the rest of the year? What 'fixes' can we get to keep us going till spring comes around?

At the moment, the nisai and older from the autumn harvests are coming home and I do like to have a look at the fish once they have arrived into the UK. Having avidly followed the various dealer diaries and blogs, they have sourced some amazing fish for us. I tend to buy only tosai and grow them on, but I do s love having a look. Trips to many dealers will keep me going through November and early December.

The big winter thing for me is daydreaming about the plans for 2010. Will it finally be my turn to build my proper pond? Probably not, but down to just 18 more mortgage repayments so it is definitely getting closer on the horizon. The plans are more or less fixed at 3,500 gallons, gas heating, sieve and bead filtration on the bottom drain and the current pod on the skimmer. Location is decided – I just need the money.

What fish will I add next the year and which will I move on? I sold a lot of some fish this year. Having such a small pond means that when the babies get to mid to high 40cm I start thinking that the pond is too small for them and off they go. Both my best fish have left me this year and it hurts. Currently the pond only has five in it and a further six in the growing-on tank. Of the six growing-on, probably only two or maybe three are keepers.  The other three or four will be going to new homes next year. That will give me the room to grow-on a couple of babies and maybe one bigger fish for the pond. It is tempting, for next year, to get one very good fish and have it grown on in Japan for a year. Who knows?!

Which shows shall I go to next year? The first comes along in February and is new to the show calendar. It is most exciting to have the prospect of a winter show and well done to the EMKC for developing the idea. I hope that everyone goes and makes it a success so it can carry on into the future.Till then we have to cope with the dark nights and the have forum to keep me going. Lots of lively debate in there over just about anything, even Koi sometimes…

Donald, hobbyist and forum moderator