Backcountry fishing in Yellowstone

sunrise over Slough Creek

Because I have worked for two of the largest hotel companies on the planet for 25 years, I have had little opportunity to consider camping as my accommodation of choice. So, this trip to Yellowstone National Park has made me again appreciate even the basic comforts of a hotel room – beginning with running water and a mattress. The camping experience at site 2S1 in the backcountry of Yellowstone was even more rustic than the camping of my youth – replace Dinty Moore beef stew, smore’s and outhouses with freeze-dried meals and digging latrines!

sunset over encampment at site 2S1

Camp site 2S1 on Slough Creek

Site 2S1 in the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park is legendary among the angler community. My friend Lars, who organized the trip, secured this site by patiently undertaking the required annual lottery draw for a preferred date and site. Floods had devastated the north of the park, and particularly Gardiner, MT, which rendered this portion of our itinerary as ‘unlikely’ a month before our visit. But a week before we departed, we were informed that our reservation of the campsite was confirmed. This meant that there had been little angler pressure in this area for the better part of a month, so we had high hopes that fishing conditions would be good.

Earlier in the trip we had a pleasant hike to fish Cascade Lake. This hike into Slough Creek would not be the same easy, recreational experience. To begin with, we would be camping overnight and thus transporting fishing gear, food, cooking utensils, tents and sleeping bags to our destination – a five-mile hike one-way in 85 to 90-degree temperatures. We would also have the threat of encounters with fairly territorial wildlife – bear, moose and bison roam these meadows. This trek for only one overnight was very taxing. I would not suggest doing this trek for anything less than two or three overnights.

to this bison I am the interloper on the trail

Slough Creek trail hike

We set off at 10am from the trailhead near to Tower / Roosevelt. The first mile of the hike is the most challenging – mainly uphill – but a good rest / fishing opportunity is presented a half-mile later at the first meadow. Expect that at this point you will have navigate grazing bison, so keep a distance of at least 100 yards to avoid a conflict. If you get charged, do not expect your bear spray to be a fall back!

Slough Creek cutthroat trout

After setting camp at site 2S1 we broke up into two groups and headed upstream / downstream of our site. My companion and I spent a considerable time in front of two rock walls downstream of our site and had great success with terrestrials – in fact, several anglers we met coming out as we were marching in suggested “Ants, Beetles and Hoppers in that order”. We were rewarded for following the advice.

a Slough Creek cutthroat that took a beetle pattern

This is a special experience, but you must take precautions in the backcountry of Yellowstone. First, do not fish alone and always carry bear spray. Second, it is a good idea to cook your meals at least 100 yards downwind of where you set up camp. Lastly, wear shoes when you sleep in case you have to make a quick escape from your tent!