The fabled nature of Montana's streams cannot be taken for granted. In
the late 1800s many of Montana's rivers were filled with pollution and
dying fish. Certain key conservation and restoration policies between
1900 and 1940 set the stage for the waters that now draw visitors and
anglers from around the world. Yet, many of those same rivers and
streams are once again facing devastating environmental threats. Montana
is a paradigm for conservation issues that are faced around the nation
and around the world. Yet, no one has ever managed to tell the story of
the policies and unique policy makers who made this all possible. And,
no one has therefore been able to turn back to that history as a source
of direction for dealing with the ongoing environmental challenges
facing streams everywhere.