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.