The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1891-09-12


The town of Sawtooth is situated
on Beaver creek, about two miles
from the Salmon valley. There are
some very rich mines in the vicin-
ity, and ten-stamp quartz mill at
the town. The first Reddish lake is
distant about three miles from the
town. by the horse trail. But to
reach it on wheels it is necessary to
keep on down the west bank of the
river, and around point of tim
bered mountain that here extends
out towards the river, distance of
five or six miles. where a wagon
road branches off to the left. Three
or four miles up the lake creek
brings you to the banks of Lake
Tahoma, as it is known by its In
dian name.
Years ago, when Atlanta and
Rocky Bar were populous and -four
ishing mining camps, this lake
furnished the principal fish-food for
the citizens. At that time the fish
ing privileges were claimed by an
old trapper and hunter, who, during
the redfish season kept trap in the
inlet short distance above the lake,
where he dressed and salted fish
for the mining camps beyond the
mountains. 1t was his custom not
only to supply the towns andcamps
with fresh fish during the summer
season, but hither he brought kegs
and half-barrels to be filled with
salted fish for winter use, which
were taken to their destination by
pack-animals. 1t proved a lucra-
tive business in those golden days
and golden prices, and the propri-
etor was enabled in a few years to
retire to bis old home in the East
on a respectable competency. But
since the completion of the railroad
to Ketchum and the wagon road to
the Sawtooth country, the lake has
become quite noted summer re-
sort of tourists, not more for the
sport of fishing and hunting than
for the pleasure and recreation to
be had in the camping-out life that
is here made so enjoyable through
the romantic surroundings.
Lake Tahoma is about one-half
mile in width and nearly two miles
in length. The exact depth is not
known, but it is too deep to sound
with ordinary line out some dis
tance from shore. The old fisher
man said he didn't believe it had
any bottom as he had tried it to
the extent of a big ball of twine.
The sketch is taken looking to the
south.
The creek that forms the inlet is
not over two rods in width. Ii
heads under the caves Of the Saw
tooth water-shedseveral miles above
the lake, and for two miles before
it enters the lake it passes through
a beautiful little valley of meadows
and groves. It is up this creek and
in the shallow water at the head o1
the lake that the redfish have their
spawning beds. From the time the
fish make their appearance at the
upper end of the lake until they
disappear in the early fall the stream
is literally swarming with the rec
beauties. They are not a game tisf
in the sense of professionals, who
so enjoy the sensation experienced
in getting bite and run. They
seldom take the hook, and are easily
speared in the clear water. Prob
ably the most successful mode o
taking them is to tie two or three
large hooks to a short line on
stout pole and drop it among
school, and then "pull for the shore.
This manner of fishing affords very
fine sport for amateurs, for the red
fish proves himself game enough
after he is once hooked, and come
ashore only after a hard fight for life
But redfshing soon becomes mo
notonous, as good catch is easil.
made and the larder is soon over
stocked. To many the lake tishlnl
furnishes more genuine sport thai
killing redfieh with club or spear
There are at all times fish OF severa
different varieties in the lake, bu
about the time the reddish begin t.
show themselves myriads of larg
river trout also put in an appear
ance. These are real game tisf
can be taken with fly or almost an
kind of bait. During the presenc
of the redfish, their eggs also iul
nish an excellent bait, as the rive
trout evidently follow their mol
, attractive brethren into the lake fc
the purpose of feeding upon thel
spawn. There is boat or two {
the lake. and it is an easy matte
to take all the trout desired.
There are beautiful and CONVEX
lent camping places on the shore
of the lake, especially at the uppt
end and on the north side, whe1
the banks are wide and fat an
shaded with groves of pines. II
wees r1oto and meadow