Coin' Fishin' * * * * * 67 



spawn in the autumn. In general, spawning fish are probably too oc 

 cupied to be eating each other's eggs. The great destruction of eggs and 

 fry may be due to the presence of fish that spawn at other seasons. 



The rangers try to regulate the fishing seasons so that no fishing is 

 done while the trout are spawning. However, in the Yellowstone where 

 trout are spawning both spring and autumn, this is practically impos 

 sible. Of course, it is too much to expect the chap who has come a 

 thousand miles to go fishing to throw back the fine trout he has just 

 caught because it happens to be a species spawning at the time. Most 

 of the experienced anglers do that, not only to assist in the task of keep 

 ing the waters stocked, but also because spawning fish are not the best 

 eating. The meat is somewhat soft and lacks the fine taste it would have 

 at other seasons. This is a fine practice, one that should be encouraged. 

 If the fish is handled with moist hands when removed from the hook, 

 there is usually no serious injury inflicted. Thrown back into the water, 

 the grateful trout swims off, a wiser, more wary fish thereafter. 



The rangers realize that these technical aspects of trout life are not 

 so interesting to the Sagebrusher as the answer to the question, "Where 

 can I catch some fish?" The Sagebrusher has driven a hundred miles 

 that day, his mouth watering for trout. Even as he cross-examines the 

 first ranger he meets, he can smell those trout frying in the pan. He has 

 separated the old rod from the place of honor in that moving van, his 

 auto, and he craves action. It is up to the ranger to direct him to the 

 lake where fishing is good. Not until his family has been fed with trout 

 is the Sagebrusher interested in the story of how the rangers have spent 

 the last six years keeping that particular lake stocked for this season's 

 fishing. 



The Sagebrushers are the fishermen of the national parks. And the 

 fisherwomen, too. The Dudes, coming to the parks on trains and travel 

 ing on prearranged schedules, find it difficult to take time for fishing. It 

 takes time and patience to angle for trout. It can't be done on an 

 itinerary. The trout are the greatest little itinerary busters in the world. 

 Give a normal, growing, healthy trout half a chance and he will ruin the 

 most adamant itinerary. The rangers saw that happen when President 

 Coolidge came to the Yellowstone. Advance agents worked out in fine 

 detail a schedule of travel, with every move timed to the minute. It 

 lasted only until the presidential party reached Yellowstone Lake, where 

 the cutthroats got into the Coolidge itinerary and what they did was 

 plenty. 



That's the way it goes. Strong, hardy men, of sterling character, 

 leaders in the church and respected in their communities, will go out 

 with a rod and reel swearing by all that is mighty that they have but an 

 hour to spare and promising their wives to return for dinner. Do they ? 



