Business History

    Fellows would fish the Bitterroot River for a living. The whitefish sold for as much as 15¢ a pound atthe last.  The fish were packed in apples boxes and expressed to Missoula, Butte, and Ronan.  The railroad cars had ice bunkers.  It cost 75¢ to ship a 50 lb. box to Butte.  After March 15, 1927, selling whitefish was not allowed.

     Henry Ferincamp used to quite his job at the creamery to fish all winter - he could make more fishing than on wages.  They averaged about $4.00 a day.  One a poor day, one might catch only 30, but on a good day one might catch 225 fish.

Among the fishermen were: Carl and Dewey Erath, Olie Beck, Mr. Pilson, Jacob Wagner, Bill and Vic Morris, John McNett, John Clark and Dad.

     School Kits made their sparking money from fishing.

- Some Bitterroot Memories

Fish