Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-06-23

Hssue Huatcss and Fishers 90
Esioy Themselves at = Reason,
abr Esprsse.
We are pleased 10 learn that s
9. Ri,ensies, our present county sur.
veyor aud chief engineer 81 the
Mountain Home Canal and Land
Company, also resident engineer for
the Fruitdale Improvement Com
pany, has consummated an agree.
ment with Perry Sprowls, an old
hunter and fisherman, who is ac-
quainted with all the country
around here, TO improve his ranch
on the South Boise river and make
an attractable place Of tia hunt
er's and fishers retreat.
II is proposed TO build good
road from the Rocky Bar stage
road TO the banks Of the river, pass
ing around the head Of Longtom
basin to the divide on the south
side of the South Boise river, thence
by an easy grade around the foot
hills to the beautiful valley below.
where there IL about 100 acres OF
level lands. where Sprowls' ranch is
located. This land has already been
partly cleared and cultivated and
vegetables and hay have been grown
there each year since the time of
location. The dense under-brush
will be cleared from the remainder
of the bottom lands i'm this cove
leaving the beautiful cottonwood
and quakenasp in groves for shade,
and pleasure grounds in which the
visitors can enjoy themselves TO
their hearts content.
A headgate will he put in on the
south bank Of the South Boise river
and ditch constructed entirely
around the cove at the base Of the
foothills, and empty into the same
river at the lower end Of the cove.
A good head of water turned into
and run through this ditch would
soon cut 1t out TO sufficient depth to
form nice creek, and thus make
an island of the retreat" In this
creek will be placed traps at upper
and lower ends, so as to let the fish
go in but prevent them getting out.
In this way this creek will soon be
stocked with fish Of the desired
species and become one Of the best
fishing grounds in Idaho--thus fur
nishing sport for visitors who do not
care to 60 TO any distance to fish.
The South Boise river is noted for
its beautiful silver trout, and many
are yearly taken from its waters
weighing as high as six pounds.
A noted place frequented by these
trout is situated just below the Re-
treat. and many hours Of good sport
is enjoyed there fishing for them.
Many of these noble trout will find
their way into the Retreat creek.
where they will find good feeding and
spawning ground. The lower end
of the creek viii pass through about
half mile Of dense black birch,
alders and willows. which viii afford
ample room for the fish to secrete
when not feeding, or in
the heat Of the day. AS the large
Columbia salmon ascend the South
Boise river every spring and fall to
their f,lvorite spawning grounds,
they are always running up every
small stream, and they will surely
try this creek, as is will afford easy
access for them. The discharge will
be made wide, so as to attract all
fish that come, and all will be ac-
accepted and run to the fish-pond,
where they will be assorted-the
choice ones allowed TO enter and the
rejected ones will furnish food for
pigs and chickens. In this way
many small fry will be saved on
the spawning beds which will be
hereafter prepared, and then the lit
tie fellows can return TO the river
to grow up and come again when
they are larger, and viii have to
come through the door of the trap
entrance and not through the
meshes of the netting. II is we'll
known that squaw fish, of which
there are millions in the rivers of
Idaho, are killing off our salmon,
trout and white fish. These worth
less fish will be caught from the
fish pond daily and be known no
more, except in the shape Of nice
fresh laid eggs or a juicy slice of
ham.
One word about the silver trout
of the South Boise. He is the an
gler's delight. Carney to. the death.
He will sometimes jump foot from
the water to catch the fly, and once
struck the reel will sing and you
have your hands full TO land him,
which can not be done at once.
Sometimes he will strike to the
bottom aud the next instant he is
six feet in the air, and quick must
be the movement TO haul him down
into the water again, or he's free.
lie will shake his head from side TO
side with incredible rapidity, and the
hook soon becomes loose. In the
water he is first one side and then
the other. and the hattie waoee Int