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Ralph Hudelson is, without a doubt, the greatest wilderness fisheries biologist to have roamed the wilderness areas of Wyoming . Ralph was employed by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department as a fisheries biologist stationed in Pinedale and Jackson , Wyoming . He filled this role throughout parts of four decades, retiring from the Game & Fish Department in 2005. Throughout his career, he spent many summers surveying waters within the far reaches of the Bridger and Teton wilderness areas. In fact, Ralph is responsible for conducting the most comprehensive fisheries survey of the waters within these areas. This work will probably never be dupli-cated and his knowledge of the waters is unparalled.

As a result of this, Ralph was a frequent visitor to the Thorofare country. Ralph visited the cabin, but in all his years of roaming, he never spent a night under its roof. He preferred to be closer to his work along the many streams and rivers. Further, he felt that the cabin pasture should be reserved for those who were there in the fall. Ralph rode virtually every trail within the Teton Wilderness and bushwhacked his way to many remote lakes and streams. Ralph authored a booklet, A Commentary of the Teton Wilderness Area Trails and Fisheries. Herein, he relates his experiences and observations of areas throughout the wilderness.

During the years of 1979, 1980, and 1981, Ralph and his co-workers, Jerry Jeppson and Andy Mitchell, surveyed every bit of water in the Teton Wilderness. These surveys were very comprehensive and detailed. The results of this survey provided the framework for drafting the Fisheries Management Plan for the wilderness.

In addition to the survey of the waters, Ralph was responsible for one of the most ambitious Yellowstone cutthroat trout introductions in the Yellowstone River drainage. Following is Ralph's account of this project.

The project was initiated as a cooperative project between the Wyoming Game & Fish Department and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of Yellowstone National Park. The project involved transplanting a pure strain of Yellowstone cutthroat trout out of Yellowstone National Park into the headwaters of Yellowstone River . The trout to be transplanted would come out of Sedge Creek in the park. These fish were chosen because they were a unique strain of resident cutthroat with unique and easily identifiable markings. The project was conducted over a four-year period starting in 1977 and concluding in 1980.

There were several reasons for the project. The Game and Fish wanted to start a population of Yellowstone cutthroat in the upper end of the Yellowstone River above the cascades. The cascades were a natural barrier to fish moving up the river from Yellowstone Lake . Another reason for the project was to provide extra recruits into the portion of Yellowstone River between the forks and the cascades. It was hoped that fish would drift down into this area to provide a fishing opportunity in this popularly used area. Thirdly, the Fish and Wildlife Service wanted to establishanother population source of Sedge Creek cutthroat. As mentioned earlier, this fish was unique and pure. This additional population was desired in case there was a thermal eruption along Sedge Creek that could wipe out the strain.

The fish in Sedge Creek were collected by electro-fishing, and all age classes were carefully selected. They were then transported by helicopter to the release site. Thesouth fork of the Yellowstone River was chosen as the site. The Boulder Meadow stretch of the river under Younts Peak closely resembled the area in Sedge Creek where the fish would come from. This area was also chosen because it was above the annual spawning grounds of the Yellowstone Lake cutthroat. If the introduction occurred within these spawning grounds, the larger more aggressive cutthroat would destroy the spawning grounds of the Sedge Creek strain, resulting in their demise. In addition to the South Fork site at Boulder Meadows, some trout were also put into the headwaters of Senecio Creek on Yellowstone Point. All this was done in June to avoid conflicts with backcountry users.

Ralph went back several times to assess the project. He recalled that one time in June of 1982, he had someone helicopter him and his electro-fishing gear into Boulder Meadows and return for him three days later. This may be the first anyone knows of this little feat. Ralph did not clear the helicopter use with anyone. He recalls it would have been easier to get permission after the fact than before. Anyway, that early in the year no one could be the wiser.

Initially, the Sedge Creek trout did very well. They were discovered by sheep camp outfitter who used the area every year. Eventually, other users also discovered the good fishing. This heavy fishing pressure nearly eliminated the strain. Ralph put up signs encouraging fishermen to catch and release, but the signs were torn down each year. In spite of this, the strain survives to this day. Ralph returned to the Senecio Creek site only once a year after introduction. No one has been there since, and the fate of the fish in Senecio Creek is unknown.

It is clear to see why Ralph was indeed a great wilderness fisheries biologist. The fruits of his labor endure 25 years later and will endure for many, many more. Ralph has a great love for the wilderness. It is very obvious when talking to him how much he enjoyed the backcountry. He will remain as one of the great ones who gave something back to the wilderness we all love so well.

This was written with affection by John Hyde after a lengthy conversation with Ralph. My hope is that I have done him justice.

John Hyde
Wyoming Game & fish Elk Feeder
Winter '74–'75, '75–'76
Lovell Game Warden. 1976–Present