)i!> BULLKTIN (H'' THE KITRKAir (>K FISHERIES. 



This is the must l.r;i..lilul of all llic tn.iits: thr hrilliiii.cy and riclin(-ss .,f its 

 coloration is not (•((uaicd in any otlnr known six'cics: tlic(lciicate golden olive of tiir 

 head, back, and upper par( of the side, the clear lioiden yellow along and below ilii> 

 lateral line, and the niarvcionsly lieh cadniinni of the under parts fully entitle this 

 speeies to l)e known al)Ove all olheis as //,,' oolden trout. Jn form it is no less 

 l)eautiful; its lines are perfect, the li^•^ laroe and well proportioned, and the caudal 

 ])eduncle strono-; all fitting it admirably for life in the tui'bulent waters in which it 

 dwells. It is a small lish. howevci'. The largest example collected by us was ill 

 inches in total length and the heaviest one weighed 10 ounces. It is probable that it 

 never attains ;i greater length than 14 inches or a weight of more than a pound in \'ol- 

 cano t'r.M.k. 



The golden trout is native to \'olcano ("reek alone, and oc.a.rs throughout the 

 entire length of that stream. \Ve caught speciuK-nsat various places from abo\-e the 

 tuimel to below the lowermost of the series of falls near the ni..uth. and it was seen 

 in all suitaljle places from the tunnel to the headwaters above Volcano Meadows, 

 whei'e the elevation is more than lb, (too feet. Although the iish runs down N'olcano 

 ('reek even to below the lowest falls, it a])parentl\- does not venture out into Kern 

 !\i\er: no e\anii)lcs were seen there. It is a creek fish and ajjpears to keej) within 

 the p<'culiar environment of the small stream. Although we obtain.'d a sjjecimen at 

 the foot of the lirst falls, it is doiditful whellu rmany individuals venture so far down. 



Trout are al)undant in Volcano Ci-eek: c\i'rv pool at the foot of a fall or bidow 

 a cascade or rapid was .-ure to contain a number of them, and othei-s w'cre seen on 

 the riffles and under the pi'otecting banks. They were most numerous above the 

 tunnel, probably because fewer toui-ists visit that portion of the stream. The tish 

 there, iiowever, were usually small. The largest, tiuest (>\amples were seen between 

 the natural bridge and the lower falls. 



As a game iish the golden trout is one of the best. It will ris(> to any kind of 

 lure, including theartiticial fly. and at any time of day. .V No. 10 fly is large enough, 

 lierha])s too large; No. li! or e\-en smaller is much hetter. In the morning and again 

 in the evening it would take the fly with a rush and make a good tight, jumping 

 fre(|uently when permitted to do so; during the middle of the da\- it rose moi'c 

 deliberately and could sometimes, be tempted only with grasshoppei's. It is a lish 

 th.at dois not giv.- up soon l)ut continu(>s the light. Its unusual breadth of tins 

 and strength of caudal peduncle, together with the turbulent water in which it dwells, 

 enable it to make a tight e(|Uiding that otlered by many a larger trout. 



Although now^ abundant the golden trout can not long remain so unless atlorded 

 some protection. The attractiveness of the Kern River region because of its scenic 

 beauty is sure to appeal m.ire and mor(> to tourists every yeai-. Practically the 

 entire length of Volcano (.'reek is easily accessible from the trail from Kern Hiver 

 to Mount Whitney, and that poi-tion above the tumiel is covered by the trail from 

 tlie 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 fl_v into the pools 

 which he passes. The trout are r(>ailily found and are easily captured, as they are so 

 voracious and rise to the lure so rea<lily. T\\ o years ago the memliers of the Sierra 

 Club and others accompanying th"m on their annual outing to ^Nlount Whitney are 



