Wisconsin Man’s Heartwarming Annual Meet-up With Wild Fish Friend

What started as an unusual encounter during a dive in September 2021, soon blossomed into a heartwarming bond between man and fish.

Source: The Dodo/Youtube

Dubbed ‘Elvis’ by Colubra, the smallmouth bass became an unlikely companion during Rex’s summer trips to a secluded lake. This connection may sound fishy to some, but Colubra insists that their bond is genuine. Elvis even gets “jealous” when other fish approach his human pal.

“I even taught him a call,” said Colubra. “I make a gulping grunt sound with my throat, and he’ll come find me.” As if that wasn’t enough to prove their unusual friendship, Elvis is fiercely protective of his friend and will chase away other fish that get too close.

This fascinating relationship started during a regular dive. “I noticed one fish was sticking closer than the rest,” Colubra shared. When he resurfaced, the friendly fish lingered near him. Even more astounding, when Colubra returned to the same spot two weeks later, the fish recognized him and swam up to greet him.

Ever since, Elvis and Colubra have had their summer rendezvous, where Colubra feeds his aquatic friend crawfish and enjoys the fish’s unwavering attention. “He follows me around and just stares me in the eyes,” Colubra said of Elvis.

There have been times when Colubra couldn’t find Elvis right away and feared the worst – that his friend had fallen prey to a fisherman. Elvis bears a distinctive scar on his face, likely from a previous catch, making him easily recognizable to Colubra. To ensure Elvis’s safety, Colubra keeps the location of their meeting spot a secret, not revealing the exact lake where Elvis resides.

“Of course, I would be sad if he had been caught. He’s my friend,” Colubra confessed. In light of his unique friendship, Colubra expressed his thoughts on sport fishing, stating, “If you’re going to catch a fish, you should eat it and not just put a hook in it.”

While we often talk about our pets as our closest companions, Colubra’s story opens up the possibilities of finding friendship in the unlikeliest places, and teaches us the value of respect for all life forms. Here’s to another wonderful summer of aquatic adventures for Rex and Elvis!

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