The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1891-09-19
at play, they form a curious and
~>1ok,,ro


by that of the greyling or the noun
tain lake trout. They are no doubt
a species of salt water salmon, and
leave the ocean about the beginning
Of the spring rise of the large
streams whose sources are in the
distant and elevated watersheds.
1t will be seen they seek only those
lakes that have sandy beaches and
sandy-bottomed inlets, and at the
base of granite ranges. About the
head of the lakes and creeks lead
ing in are fondd the principal
spawning fields. The big fish, or
commercial salmon," as they are
termed, which escape the nets at the
canneries of the Lower Columbia,
haunt the stony rifles Of the large
streams, and do not venture into
the lakes with the redfish. These
lakes are all about the same dis
tance (three or four miles up the
lake streams, and among meadows
and woods and in the shadows OF
wild and unfrequented mountains.
There are several different kinds
of large fish that spend the summer
in the mountain rivers and their
tributaries. First comes the speck-
led salmon-trout, arriving in the
upper waters in April aud remain
| till June. This is an immense
trout that either winters in the ocean
or in the deep waters of the rivers
towards the coast. They are caug ht
with hook and line as far up the
river as Salmon City in February
and March, when they bite at ordi-
nary bait; but do not reach the
Upper Salmon and tributaries until
the ice and snow have disappeared
from the banks. The average weight
is about ten pounds. They disap-
pear when the spring waters are
subsiding. Following these are the
large salmon that come early IN
July. Their name is legion, and
their meat is excellent during the
month of July, but they cannot be
prevailed upon to "catch on" as the
saying goes not even the lucious
grasshopper is any temptation to
their palate. They evidently come
on strictly business trip (probably
in the interests of the canneries
and do not mix it up with sight
seeing or other pleasurable pas
times. They return in the fall when
the shrinking of the streams re-
minds them that big fish must swim
in big rivers and that they must 60
while the water is going.
| The redfsh are seen in the lakes
shortly after the salmon show them
selves; and following close on the
heels of these again is the meddle'
some, prying bull trout" This is
large, fine game fish, round of body
twelve to eighteen inches in length
and is readily captured with hook
and line. His business is mainly to
consume that which others produce
He keeps the salmon and reddish
in a constant turmoil. He spies
out their spawning places anc
tears up the nests and devours the
contents. He is fearless and dar
ing, and his appetite is apparently
Unsuitable. He will bite at red tlan
mel, fresh meat, or in fact anything
that resembles fish eggs.
When the redfish leave they seen
to be gone all at once. On this
sudden disappearance is based th'
theory that the fish simply retir'
to the bottom of the lake instead
of going out into the river and bacl
, toward the ocean. But like tn
other ocean and deep water fish tha
visit the mountain streams durln!
, the summer season, they undoubt
edly turn seaward when the objec
) of their sojourn is accomplished, a
, the swan and geese and other mi
> gratory fowl sail southwark whe'
!, winter approaches and the nestlnI
o season is over.
$ From Stanley lake to Cape Hor1
y the distance is fifteen to elghteel
! miles. The wagon road follows ou
r the old travelled trail, via Cape Horn
e from the Upper Salmon and Woo'
b River countries to Idaho City an
e Boise Basin, distant from Car
Horn about eighty miles. In
D sketch is taken from a point wher
y once stood the old historic Cap
: Horn cabin, built in early days to
y the convenience of packers an
s prospectors, and the scene of mas
s sacre during the Bannock war {
J. 1878, when scouting parties OF ms
t rauding Indians passed throug
D the country pursued by soldiers.
s The Cape Horn locality has man
v attractions for the tourist an
v sportsman. Near at hand are tror
n streams and lakes, hot sulpht
e springs, deer licks, etc. Elk al
o also found here in small band
y Trails diverge from Cape Horn
t i the Seafoam, Sheep Mountain an
# Middle Fork, Deadwood Basin an
o other contiguous mining camps
re present becoming noted for mln'
,, f h;cb.rrode GOLD and silver Qual