River, but at other seasons the water is all taken out in ditches so that no water 

 flows to the river. Where the streams flow in the canyons, there are many fish, 

 almost entirely of the cut-throat variety, and in some of the lakes at the source of 

 streams the fishing is excellent; but owing to the rough country through which 

 the streams flow, and the trouble experienced in reaching the lakes, not much 

 fishing is done in either lakes or streams. 



It is, no doubt, true that many thousands of trout go into the irrigating ditches 

 and die. There is, at present, no way to prevent this loss and perhaps none can be 

 devised which will entirely prevent it. It seems a pity that the loss of such a 

 source of food should continue, and that the clear, sparkling floods which pour 

 down from these uncontaminated sources should not be made to yield their 

 share of sustenance to our people. The subject is one well worthy of the careful 

 consideration of our law-makers. 



Streams From the East. 



The streams affluent to the Bitter Root from the East are less in number and 

 importance than those entering from the West. There are only six, the names of 

 which will be found on the list subjointed. The same general description as that 

 given of the west side streams will apply, except that the mountains from which 



On Guard 



the streams flow are not so high, the canyons are not so narrow nor access to the 

 upper waters so difficult. All the water from these streams has been appropriated 

 and is used for irrigation, so that during the irrigating season little, if any, water 

 reaches the main river. 



The streams designated as the East Fork and West Fork always carry a good 

 volume of water, and seepage, as well as percolation, make up the flow of the 

 river during the Summer months. 



The result of diverting the side streams and the use of this water for irriga- 

 tion results in a higher temperature in the main river than would otherwise be 

 the case; this has not lessened the number of fish, although the rate of flow has 

 decreased somewhat, in the past thirty years, and this fact may account for the 

 occasional presence of green moss above mentioned. 



There are many sloughs, small side branches and shallows where fry may 

 be planted to advantage and the results obtained from the plantings heretofore 

 made appear to be satisfactory. While some reaches of the river flow through 

 farming lands, there is little or no posting, nor much objection made to fishing 

 along its banks at any point; in fact, the sentiment of people living there is quiet 

 favorable toward efforts made to restock the stream. 



Many white fish are caught during the Fall and Winter months; these supply 

 a considerable quantity of food, many considering the fish superior to the trout 

 in this respect. 



(58) 



