8/20/2018- Yellowstone (Slough Creek)
Today we hiked up to Slough Creek to fish and explore the area. The trailhead starts at 6279 above sea level, which is well under Yellowstone’s average elevation of 8000 ft. It’s only about a 2 mile hike but it is reasonably difficult due to the 400 ft. of elevation climb and the thinner air. We both really noticed how thin the air was….it was hard to get a deep breath. But once we got past the initial climb and adjusted our breathing, it was fine. I guess I’m not in as good a shape as the last time I was here about 8 years ago (duh).
When we came out of the woods, walked into the meadow and got to the creek, I noticed right away how much it had changed. Each year, the meadow experiences a lot of spring runoff and it actually changes the physical characteristics of the creek. It cuts new channels and leaves others left with no water (especially at this time of year when the after levels are down). Area’s that I remembered being great fishing areas with some depth were now either gone or shallow. A lot of the bank areas we’re eroded. The last time I was here the creek was loaded with fish. This time, I didn’t see a single fish (nor did I catch any). That was part was little disappointing but we still had a great day.
Slough Creek actually has 3 distinct sections that are appropriately called First Meadow, Second Meadow and Third Meadow. I have never gone beyond the First Meadow. When we got back late this afternoon, I went to Parks Fly Shop to talk to them about Slough Creek and other good fishing areas in the park. They confirmed what I saw about the First Meadow of Slough Creek…..very little deep water and almost no faster moving water. They also said that the First Meadow had become popular with fisherman and had simply been over-fished. They also told me that if you continue on to the second and third meadows of Slough Creek, which are 3 and 5 miles further respectively, the fishing is outstanding. Good to know but I think I’ll find some other places a little closer!
I also inquired about a guide. I told the young man I talked to that I wanted to go for larger fish (size over quantity). He asked if I would be comfortable hiking down a rocky slope to get to a remote spot on the Yellowstone River…. I said no problem. So he offered to take me on Thursday to a place that is a personal favorite. He sounded like catching a few large fish was almost guaranteed. We’ll see…..
We almost drove to the Beartooth Highway after fishing but decided it was a little too late. Glad we made that call. We are getting a very strong storm right now, including the first rain we have seen for a month. The RV is shaking pretty hard. Driving home in this weather at dusk would have been very dangerous. The storm also includes lightening. Hope it doesn’t start any more fires.
Pretty good first couple days for wildlife….we saw antelope, buffalo, a coyote, deer, and elk. We hope to add a grizzly and a moose to the list before we leave. Click the first two links to see two male buffalo’s fighting over the females, and a coyote on the move. Click the link, then click the image to enlarge it.
