THE GOLDEN TROUT OF THE SOUTHERN HIGH SIERRAS. 



By barton warren KVERMANN, 

 C/iaixe of Division of Scientific Inquiry, Bureau of Fisheries. 



Ill 1893 Dr. David Starr Jordan described from the soutiiern High Sierras a 

 species of golden trout which he named Saf/no i/n/l-isg aqmi-honita. The description 

 was l)ased on tliree specimens received b_y him from Mr. AV. H. Shoclsley, of San 

 Francisco, to whom thej' had been sent by Mr. George T. Mills, tish commissioner of 

 Nevada. At the time the description was written it was supposed that the specimens 

 came from Volcano (then called Whitney) Creek, but it was suhsciiuciitly learned 

 that they really came from Cottonwood Creek, into which it was said ihc --jMcies had 

 been transplanted from Volcano Creek. In 1893 Dr. Charles H. (iillxrt \ isited the 

 upper Kern River region and secured color notes on examples of golden trout which 

 he caught in Volcano Creek, and upon others which he obtained from the South Fork 

 of the Kern. 



Although it was apparent from the original description and Dr. Gilbert's notes 

 tliat the trout described b}^ Dr. Jordan was a tish of unusual beauty, and that the 

 species found in Volcano Creek was even more beautiful, little was added to our 

 knowledge of the trout of the Kern River region until recently. From time to 

 time reports had come to the Bureau of Fisheries regarding the beauty, uuincnoss, 

 and delicious flavor of the golden trout of Volcano Creek, and then the tC.ii hitman 

 to be expressed that, owing to its extremely restricted habitat and tlic case witli 

 which it may be captured, the species was in danger of extermination. 



Stewart Edward White visited the region in 1903 and, impressed with the ease 

 with which the extinction of tlie species could be compassed, called the attention of the 

 President to the mattci' anil \\\v I'l-csident in turn hroagiit it to the attention of Hon. 

 George M. Bowers, Coniniissioner of Fisheries. Complving witli the request of the 

 President, the Commissioner ordered an investigation to be made for the purpose of 

 determining (a) the natural geographic distribution of this trout, (b) its abundance, 



(c) its habits as to food and spawning time and its qualities as a food and game fish. 



(d) into what waters, if any, it has been transplanted, (e) into what other streams it 

 ■ lay be introduced, (f) whether its artificial propagation can be undertaken by the 



, Bureau, and, finally, (g) what measures or regulations, if any, are necessary for the 

 adequate protection of the species. An investigating party, under the writer's direc- 

 tion," outfitted at Redstone Park, Tulare County, Cal., with saddle horses, pack 

 animals, and camping equipment, and on July 13, 1904, started for Volcano Creek. 



a The other members of the party were Prof. Oliver P. Jenkins anrt Pnif. Rufns L. Green, of Stanford University; Prof. 

 Chancey Juday. of the University of Colorado: Mr. Chark's B. Hudson, of Detroit, Mich., artist of the expedition, and 

 necessary assistants, packers, and cook. 



