Yellowstone's Slough Creek?

[McDuck85]

I'm planning a backpacking trip to the 3rd meadow on Slough Creek in Yellowstone National Park. Our tenative starting date will be in late July/early August. Has anyone hiked/fished this area? I know a few horse pack outfitters make this trip regularly. We're on foot and looking forward to an adventure.

[Charlie]

I fished Slough Creek several years ago and at the time you will be there you should be in the Adult Salmon Fly hatch. Mostly Cutthroat and they are willing takers on the fly.

Watch out for Buffalo and Bear.

Have good time,

Charlie

[lilnorthfork]

Don't know Slough Creek; but, if you have a chance, check out Pelican Creek. It opens to fishing July 15 (or at least it used to) and the plentiful Cutts adore a nice pmd. Used to be you could camp back there, 'til a woman got dragged from her tent one night by a Griz... parts were scattered wide and far.

[Pete]

Slough creek is an awful place. Don't go there. Might as well stick closer to home and fish Tanner Creek in Beaverton, OK? :wink:

When you go, enjoy the aspen grove just before the ridge before the first meadow. If you need a diversion, the creek between the first and second meadows used to be lightly fished and interesting fishing in the forested area.

Be sure to carry melted chocolate bars in your pockets, some freshly cooked bacon in your hat and peanut butter in your socks, cuz the bears get hungry. No, wait ... don't do that! There are a lot of bears and you want to avoid them.

The thing that bothered me was the horse packers that were able to cover more distance than I could.

I fished it in August a couple years ago and the afternoon wind blew juicy hoppers into the creek that seemed to be a favorite food. Matching the hatch/fall was tough ... those fish are picky!

[garyk]

In recent years I understand there have been some closures there (not sure if it was 1st or 2nd meadow) due to Grizz working on a carcass. But that can happen anywhere's in YNP, so you'll just have to take your chances. The upper Lamar, where it branches south away from the road and into wilderness might be a good Plan B.

Slough Creek is truly awful if you're nervous about sharing your world with Grizz, Wolf, and Bison. They're all there. Last trip I couldn't quite get a really cool picture of a sandbar there with all three's footprints in it. Same day I had to make sure really long backcasts didn't snag a lone bull bison, snoozing in the meadow (don't annoy the bison!!).

Fish tight to the bank, and do really, realllly long drifts if it's one of those days when the trout turn persnickity.

Would also recomend stopping at Blue Ribbon Flies and getting a few of their X-Caddis pattern. It turned a tough day into a productive one for me, and me only, as I was the only one with 'em.

[cphatts]

I fished Slough Creek last July (early July) with great success. The best patterns were green drakes, adams, EHC, and clark stones.

Downstream from the car-camping campground the fish are bigger but less numerous.....above the campground (where you will be backpacking) the fish are somewhat smaller but much more numerous.

Yes, be very griz concious. They are EVERYWHERE in the Slough Creek region. A fellow fisherman told me he spotted a griz one morning in the meadow just across the river from the campground.

[gthfish]

Thats my stompin grounds! Make sure you take lots o hoppers thaat time of the year. If you want to feel really humble, fish the area downstream of the car camp to where slough hits the Lamar---RREALLY big fish will come up and probably not take your fly--some to 28-30 inch fish in this section. Try Chernobyl Ants too!, Might try less fished areas of Soda Butte Creek too--Small creek with healthy pops. of Cutts from 8 to 26 inches, or Trout Lake just above Soda Butte Creek 1/2 mile hike with a float tube (check the new regs on the tube!) for a chance at some very large bows.

[McDuck85]

Thanks for the info. Looks like I'll be packing my pepper spray. Keep those reponses coming. Any other Yellowstone "hot spots" would be appreciated.

McDuck

[lilnorthfork]

Hey McDuck - do you know the easiest way to distinguish Grizzly scat from Black Bear scat? The Grizzley scat has the bear bells in it.
And remember, you don't have to be faster than the bear... just faster than your friend.
:laugh:

[garyk]

McDuck, hotspots are where you find 'em, conditions do change from year to year.

On the Yellowstone river, we've had some fun hiking down the backside (northside) of it, starting at Fishing Bridge. Virtually all anglers fish it from the road side, concentrating at Buffalo Ford.

I understand that hiking down into the Yellowstone Gorge can be very good. I think(!) the upper trailhead is at Buck Point. The lower portion is somehow accessed east of Gardiner.

IF you're over there, you should of course check out the Madison. We fish it outside of YNP, 3-Dollar bridge, West Fork, and the other places above Ennis all fish pretty good.

[McDuck85]

Thanks garyk. Good info. I did spend two days fishing the Madison last August. 3 Dollar Bridge has a great stretch of water. A friend has a cabin not far from there. One day I'll convince him to spend some time on the Deschutes in August.

[Oncorhynchus]

Do the firehole and Gibbon still produce good fish? Its been years since I've been back there.

[garyk]

Regarding 3-Dollar Bridge, it's worth noting that public access to this stretch is now secured forever, after a fundraising effort that culminated in 2001 with its purchase from the private owner.

Just good example and reminder of the positive things that can be accomplished when you shrug off the naysayers and work collectively toward a goal.