Slough Creek at 40: A Fly Fishing Trip I’ll Never Forget
For my 40th birthday, we headed to Yellowstone National Park to chase cutthroat trout in one of the most iconic streams in the park: Slough Creek.
It had been on my list for years, and this trip delivered everything I hoped for and a few things I wasn’t ready for. It was tough, beautiful, technical, and humbling. But also a total blast. We fished hard for two days and walked away tired and sore, but it was worth it. Here’s what I learned up there, and why every fly angler should make the trip at least once.
Fish Fast and Change Patterns
In the summer, Slough Creek is all about fishing double dry terrestrial patterns. We went in late July, and every guide we talked to ahead of time made it clear: “The hopper bite should be on.” On the 7-mile hike up to our camp (2S4), hoppers were all over the trail and launching into the creek.
But here’s the catch: just because the bugs are there doesn’t mean the fish are eating every one of them. These Slough Creek cutthroat are extremely selective. I had a fish follow my hopper for a solid 25 feet, hovering right under it, inspecting from every angle. I held my breath, thinking it was about to smash. Then it just turned and swam off.
So when I say “fish fast,” I mean cycle through flies quickly. Cast 10 to 15 times in a zone. If you don’t see a flash, boil, or eat, move on to the next pattern and try something else. Don’t get too attached to a pattern, no matter how sexy it looks in the box. When you do find what they’re keyed in on, that’s when the magic happens. You’ll get a window where it seems like every fish in the creek suddenly wakes up.
For me, it was a Panty Dropper Hopper (yellow body, red legs) with a small black foam beetle trailing behind it. That combo had fish coming up fast and hard, especially when the wind picked up.
Talk to a Guide (Even If You’re Going DIY)
Before heading to Slough, I took a guided float on the Yellowstone River with Trevor Robbins at Parks Fly Shop out of Gardiner. Awesome crew, top-notch experience, and they guide Slough too. So I picked their brains on what to expect. My guide didn’t hesitate: “You’re gonna want a pop of red on your flies. For whatever reason, Slough Creek cutthroat love it.”
And he nailed it. That Panty Dropper with red legs did most of the heavy lifting for me. I also got some great eats on a Royal Wulff, which I haven't fished much, but it earned a permanent spot in the box after this trip. Even if you don’t plan on hiring a guide for Slough, it’s absolutely worth talking to one ahead of time. These guys fish it all season long and they know what’s working and what’s not. For their time, buy some flies and gear from them for the advice!
Wind Was My Friend (At Least This Time)
Normally, I hate wind when I’m fishing. I think most people do. It ruins casts, creates drag and tangles, and makes everything harder. But up on Slough, it was a saving grace. These fish spook fast. If you breathe too loud, they’re gone.
When the water was dead calm, every cast had to be absolutely perfect. Long leader, soft presentation, no shadow, no splash. But as soon as the wind kicked up and started rippling the surface, everything changed. The fish started feeding more confidently. They moved around. You could sneak in a sloppy cast or two and still get an eat.
It felt like the wind gave us just enough cover to fish more freely. I found myself waiting for gusts to make my cast. It bought me some margin for error, and on Slough, that’s the difference between getting skunked and having a day.
Wait… for the Take
This was my first time fishing for Yellowstone cutthroat, and I’ll be honest, I missed a lot of fish. At first, I thought I was just slow on the hook set. But what I eventually learned is that these fish are incredibly accurate.
They strike fast and hard when they commit, but they’ll also “nose” a fly just to test it. What looks like a subtle rise might just be a "sniff."
I had to train myself to wait and count it out. One Mississippi… two Mississippi… then set the hook. That delay took serious restraint, especially when a fish was hovering just below my fly for what felt like a lifetime. But when I waited, the hookups started happening. That’s when it all clicked. These fish aren’t slow or lazy. They’re precise.
Worth Every Step
Hiking Slough Creek isn't super tough, but when you’re hiking in 7 miles with 40 pounds on your back and the first mile or so is straight uphill, it sets the tone for the day. The hike to our campsite (we stayed near the third meadow, campsite 2S4) was well marked and generally flat, but it’s easy to get gassed.
Me and another buddy went off-trail a bit to check out the first and second meadows. But I would say there weren’t clear trails to get on or off either meadow to fish, except maybe the first. I’m sure there were some better paths, but we were tired early and already hot, so it’s likely we missed them and had to travel through chest-high grass to get back to the main trail.
If I were to do it all over again (and I will), I would hike to the campsite (if you're camping), drop off the gear, then head out to explore and fish. In fact, Trevor at Parks Fly Shop suggested that, and I completely ignored it when I saw the first meadow - I had to check it out. Had I listened, we would have had a better sense of the land and could have prioritized our time better.
Also, it’s important to stop and take in your surroundings. It’s a truly beautiful place. For me, I didn’t have a ton of time to rest because I was hiking in and then out the next day, so 14 miles over two days. I spent most of my time dialed in and trying to land fish.
What I Packed (and Used Hard)
This gear earned its keep on the trail and in the water:
- Most of the guys on the trip used our Bare Fishing Co. sling packs. It kept things light, especially after a long day of heavy hiking the day before. It definitely saved our backs.
Lid Rig x Bare Fishing Co. - Magnetic Mini Fly Wheel
- We recently formed a partnership with Lid Rig to bring our customers the Magnetic Mini Fly Wheel. It’s perfect for organizing and holding your flies while swapping patterns quickly, which was key on this trip. It attaches seamlessly with the MOLLE setup on your sling or pack.
Bear Spray
- Non-negotiable in Slough Creek. We didn’t see bears, but we were warned of increased Grizzly and Wolf activity. Don’t hike Slough without it.
- Filtered fresh water straight from the creek. Saved weight and kept me hydrated while fishing long stints on the creek. Eliminated the need for a water bladder.
- Comfortable on the trail and stable in the creek. Wet wading boots or water shoes were the move. No need to pack in full waders in July.
Flies That Got It Done
- Panty Dropper Hopper (yellow body, red legs)
- Keller’s Henneberry Hopper (yellow)
- Foam Beetle
- Royal Wulff
Final Thoughts
Slough Creek is everything people say it is. Tough, wild, breathtaking, and full of moments that make you feel like a beginner all over again. I learned a ton. I missed fish. I dialed in patterns. And I got to spend my 40th birthday surrounded by friends, mountains, buffalo, and big, beautiful cutthroat trout. If you’re thinking about making the trip, do it. You won’t regret it, and I’ll probably come with you if I get the invite.
Tight lines,
Jason Riley
Owner, Bare Fishing Co.