110 REPCRT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



the first Palls, it is doubtful whether many individuals venture so far 

 down. 



Trout are abuntlant in Volcano Creek; every pool at the foot of a 

 fall or below a -.cascade or rapid was sure to contain a number of 

 them, and others were seen on the riffles and under the protecting 

 banks. They were most numerous above the tunnel, probably because 

 fewer tourists visit that portion of the stream. The fish there, how- 

 ever, were usually small. The largest, finest examples were seen 

 between the natural b^dge and the lower falls. 



As a came fish the Golden trout is one of the best. It will rise to 

 any kind of lure, including the artificial fly, and at any time of day. 

 A No. 10 fly is large enough, perhaps too large ; No. 12 or even smaller 

 is much better. In the morning and again in the evening it would 

 take the fly with a rush and make a good fight, jumping frequently 

 when permitted to do so ; during the middle of the day it rose more 

 deliberately and could sometimes be tempted only with grasshoppers. 

 It is a fish that does not give up soon but continues the fight. Its 

 unusual breadth of fins and strength of caudal peduncle, together 

 with the turbulent water in which it dwells, enable it to make a 

 fight equaling that offered by many a larger trout. 



Although now abundant the Golden trout can not long remain so 

 unless afforded some protection. The attractiveness of the Kern 

 Kiver region because of its scenic beauty is sure to appeal more and 

 more to tourists every year. Practically the entire length of Volcano 

 Creek is easily accessible from the trail from Kern River to Mount 

 "Whitney, and that portion above the tunnel is covered by the trail from 

 the east side of the divide. As a matter of fact one can in one day 

 travel the entire length of the creek and have time to stop frequently 

 to drop a fly into the pools which he passes. The trout are readily 

 found and are easily captured, as they are so voracious and rise to 

 the lure so readily. Two years ago the members of the Sierra Club 

 and others accompanying them on their anntial outing to Mount Whit- 

 ney are said to have taken 600 or 700 trout from Volcano Creek in 

 one day. During the time our party was on Volcano Cr&ek three to 

 five other parties were camping at different places along its course. 

 Each of these parties contained two to ten pgrsons, and they all 

 depended chiefly on the creek for their meat. How many trout were 



i 



taken daily there is no means of knowing, but the number must have 

 been very large. One party of three acknowledged that they ate 

 sixty-five one day for supper. * 



RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION^F THE GOLDEN TROUT. 



Provisions for the protection and preservation of the Golden trout 

 should proceed along two lines, viz: through fish-cultural operations, 

 and by imposing restrictions on its capture. 



