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Slough Creek

Slough Creek rises high in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness north of the park. Most of the length of the creek works its way through a series of meadows frequented by waterfowl and raptors. Bald eagles, northern harriers, and redtail hawks can be seen soaring the drafty valley thermals in search of rodents or fish. It's not uncommon to catch cutts with scars left by the talons of an eagle which lost its grip. Sandhill cranes nest in the tall grass during the spring, and waterfowl often wade the marshes or paddle the placid currents of the stream. Deer, elk, bison, moose, coyotes, and red foxes can be seen, especially in spring and fall. During the summer they migrate to higher elevations where there are fewer people, and the climate is cooler.

The slow winding waters of Slough Creek provide opportunities to stalk sighted fish. The flat, slow water gives fish plenty of time to inspect your fly--rejection is part of the game.

Depending on the year's snowpack, the region's streams become fishable anywhere from late June in a dry year, to the middle of July in a wet year. Even in the high-water years of 1995-1997, Slough Creek was fishable the first week in July. The Lamar River usually clears later, typically the second week of July.

The best fishing of the year on Slough Creek occurs just as the stream clears. At this time, a plethora of insects are found on the water. Green and Gray Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, golden stones, salmonflies, little yellow sallies, and caddis all hatch concurrently. The sheer number of insects available makes for a virtual trout banquet. Combine this with the fact that the trout haven't seen a fly since the previous fall, and the conditions lend themselves to epic fishing.

As the season progresses, the fishing becomes increasingly difficult. Water levels drop and the fishing pressure accumulates, educating the trout. The fish are pounded all summer long and become quite persnickety. The stream's calm current warrants the use of long, fine leaders tapered to 6X and 7X tippet. Pale Morning Duns are a staple of the fish's diet through early September. A tiny Baetis appears in late July and a larger Baetis hatches in the fall. Green Drakes sail the currents in August, stirring the blood of every fly fisher who has ever fished the hatch.

As the summer hatches wane, an emphasis is put on terrestrial imitations. The creek's numerous meadows are refuge to thousands of kinds of beetles, ants, crickets, and hoppers. Patterns that imitate these insects, as well as deer flies and even bees, work well from the time the creek clears, until the first hard frost. Fish are often found cruising the shallows, sloughs, and banks in search of spinners and terrestrials. Slapping a beetle with a noticeable disturbance on the water's surface will often get a trout's attention. They will often move great distances to inhale these tasty morsels. Hopper fishing can be outstanding, especially on warm, windy days when waves blow upstream. The fish do become wary of hoppers late in August as more and more anglers fish them.

In lower Slough Creek (near the campground) there are rainbows, cutthroats, and cuttbows like the one shown above. Waterfalls prevent the upstream progress of exotic species, and there are only Yellowstone cutts in the first, second, and third meadow sections.

Yellowstone cutts are native to Slough Creek and make up the majority of the fish in the creek. The cutts range from 14 to 20 inches and are protected by catch-and-release regulations. Rainbows and cuttbows are found almost exclusively in the lower meadow. Downstream of first meadow is a steep, rocky canyon which the creek plummets through. The cascades and small waterfalls prohibit the upstream migration of the non-native rainbows which were introduced into the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek in 1937 and 1938. Over time they found their way into the lower reaches of Slough.

From the Lamar confluence upstream to the Slough Creek campground, the creek flows through the Lower Meadow and is paralleled by a gravel road which leads to the campground from the northeast entrance road. The gravel road ends at the campground and a hike is required to reach the upper meadows.

Slough's popularity draws hordes of anglers and throughout the summer the parking lot at the trailhead is often occupied with 50 vehicles. These people do tend to spread themselves out as it's a two mile hike into First Meadow, five miles to Second Meadow, eight miles to Third Meadow and 11 miles to the park boundary. North of the park is Frenchy Meadow, named for Joeseph B. "Frenchy" Duret. He was a Frenchman who trapped and poached animals illegally in the park during the late 1890's and early 1900s. He was killed by a grizzly caught in one of his traps in 1922. The fishing outside the park is neither better nor are the fish larger. There are fewer people because of the longer hike, but the best fishing is found in the park.

The first two meadows can be hiked and fished on a daily basis, third meadow is best done by staying overnight. The National Park Service requires all backcountry campers to stay in designated campsites, and they must be reserved in advance. In all, there are only five backpacker campsites and two stock sites in the drainage, which make reserving them a tough task.

The hike into the upper meadows is a pleasant one and quite easy, with the exception of a steep climb at the beginning. Lush meadows, wildflowers, aspens, lodgepole pines and Douglas fir line the trail. The trail is actually a wagon trail which leads to the Silvertip Ranch just north of the park. The ranch's wagons are often encountered along the trail, but don't bother to ask for a ride as they never oblige. It's a very exclusive guest ranch, one where the guests must be invited to stay.

Bears are always a concern when hiking in Yellowstone and while no one should let the bruins' presence ruin their backcountry excursion, bears deserve great respect. It's best to be educated about bear behavior and what to do if confronted before heading into the wilderness. It's also advisable to carry a can of bear deterrent (pepper spray) with you. If you want to avoid bears, travel in groups, make noise, and be vigilant at all times.

Chad Olsen owns Greater Yellowstone Flyfishers in Bozeman, Montana.

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