The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-05-12
Plan Concrete
Rearing Pools
For Hatchery

Plans were discussed Monday
evening for improvement of the
Libby fish hatchery when A. G.
Stubblefield, superintendent of state
fish hatcheries, and Department
Engineer Dalton from Helena, met
with representatives of the for
estry department, the Libby Rod
& Gun Club and fish and game
committeeman from the local Cham.
Der of Commerce. The meeting,
which was called by State Fish &
Game Commissioner Edward M.
Boyes, was held at Forest Super
visor Guernsey's office.
Discussion conferred on WAYS and
means of producing more fish for
planting purposes in Lincoln coun-
ty streams and lakes. It was stated
by Mr.. Stubblefield that fish make
slow growth in water of colder
temperatures than so, temperatures
Of So and So being excellent for
the propagation of trout The fact
that the temperature at the Libbv
Hatchery is 46 is responsible for
loss of time and funds in producing
four, five and six inch fish for
planting purposes.
The superintendent recommended |
the planting of two inch and small !
or trout from this hatchery, stating |
that this will more than double |
the numerical size of paintings. He !
added that in his opinion, the sur
vival of smaller fish is greater than
that of the five and six inch size.
The latter are large enough to easily
take anglers hooks and, used to
being fed, have not the natural
they develop after a sea-
son or so in open waters. The
smaller fish, on the other hand are
too small to take the hooks, and
by the time they have spent a sea-
son on their own, are pretty we'll
''Wised up" to the necessity of eau
lion when an angler drops tempt
.ng fly or worm ahead of their
noses.
The feasibility of abandoning the I
I'D dirt rearing ponds which breed I
disease and cause heavy loss of T
young fish, was discussed Plans \
we're considered for replacing the +
present ponds with four 10 x 100 a
GOT cement ponds, using the pres
mt ponds site "a save excavation r
osts. The four ponds stated the I
uperintendent viii turn out many /
ines more healthy fish than the f
resent facilities are capable of pro- e
ucing. This work If done, will be o
project of the state commission. h
hatchery Foreman John Sheehan v
greed with Mr.. Stubblefield that o1
ne plan was sound in all ways and y
Mould enable much greater pro- II
uction for planting purposes. "
Sheehan also stated that he has fl
900 small silver salmon obtained W
,veral days ago from Dillon, which til
2 plans to feed during the sum- Sc
er months and this fall release E.
nearby lakes. Crystal Lake near St
appy's Inn is scheduled to receive RI
ost or all of the planting. A III
ature of this fish is that it does w
It reproduce in fresh water, but w
,es however, make good growth in all
e same.
The meeting struck an optomistic Re
tie for Lincoln County fishing, So
d prospects for improvement
roughout the entire county ap- be
ar much better than they have alb
r many years. Thus the recent
pointment of E. M. Boyes to the tro
ate Fish & Game Commission APP be
ars already to be bringing bene- Ag
ial results to this section of the col
tie. Mr.. Boyes expects to. pre- dol
It the proposals outlined at the Ger
eting when he attends the next
sion of the commission which is N ,CE
Ieduled for June g. At this time OF
.hority to proceed with the work T
I he renueStad