Trout Fishing in Fergus-Sportsmen Set an Example 



To show the results which have been obtained from suggestions heretofore 

 made by the Commission with reference to its planting of fry in a proper place and 

 with reasonable care, the Commission submits the following letter from Judge 

 Roy E. Ayers of Lewistown: 



Lewistown, Montana, March 30th, 1917. 

 "Hon. J. L. DeHart, 



"State Game Warden, 

 "Helena, Montana. 



"My Dear Mr. DeHart: 



"On behalf of the Fergus County Anglers' Club and the Lewistown Rod & Gun 

 Club, I desire to extend to you thanks of these Associations and an expression of 

 their appreciation of your efforts and the efforts of your Department, and of the 

 Fish Commission, in sending us the four cars of fry during the year 1916. 



"All of these fish were planted in good fishing streams, and I do believe that 

 we saved a larger percentage than usual of the fry conveyed to the streams. Last 

 year we built three different ponds, or temporary nurseries, at the mouth of small 

 streams emptying into the larger streams. In one we planted fifty thousand 

 Eastern Brook, in another fifty thousand Natives, and in still another about one 

 hundred fifty thousand Grayling. In the fall just before the streams began to 

 freeze we removed the dams and screens to let all of the little fish into the main 

 stream, and by that time they were Indeed big enough to take care of themselves 

 and to battle with the heavier waters. In these three nurseries, as we choose to 

 call them, I do not believe we lost a single fish over and above the normal loss. 



"In our two associations we have a total membership of about two hundred 

 men ahd three women, all of whom are true sports. 



"By an unwritten law, promulgated and enforced by ourselves, and with the 

 full consent of the land owners, we created a reserve of about two miles in length 

 near the head of one of our principal streams. In this reserve we planted about 

 fifty thousand Natives and Eastern Brook, and agreed by our unwritten law to 

 protect them absolutely for a period of two years. A violation of this unwritten 

 law will be punished summarily, without resort to civil courts. However, we 

 have no knowledge yet of its violation. 



"We now .have some of the best trout fishing in the State of Montana, and 

 with your continued assistance and the assistance of the Fish Commission, we ex- 

 pect to make it much better. We have a large number of good fish streams in 

 this County, including Flat Willow and the McDonald Creeks, tributary to the 

 Musselshell, and all of the tributaries of the Judith River. We have transported 

 fry as far as forty miles and had them in the creek within two hours after they 

 left the car. There have always been plenty of volunteers to meet the fish car 

 with automobiles and full gasoline tanks to distribute the fish at any time of the 

 day or night to the places we indicate. As a matter of fact, the only complaint 

 I have ever heard is that we were unable to get fry enough to supply the demand. 

 I believe our Clubs can clean a fish car quicker and distribute the fry more 

 expeditiously and successfully than any other Club in the State. At least we are 

 willing to challenge any of them to a contest. 



"We also desire to congratulate the Fish Commission upon securing an appro- 

 priation for a new fish car, and trust that when the new car is built the same may 

 be named "J. B. Gnose," in honor of one of the truest sportsmen in the State; that 

 the new car may make its maiden trip with a load of fry for Lewistown, and that 

 the man in charge will be Senator Gnose. 



"With best wishes from all of the members of our associations for the success 

 of your Department and the Fish Commission, I am 



"Very gratefully yours, 



'*ROY E. ATERS." 



(65) 



