Mike Cline
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In the 1970′s, no one hiked to the second meadow to fish – they didn’t need to because there were many fewer fishermen.
Actually not the case, the annual number of anglers in Yellowstone in the 1970s was significantly higher than today. Bait fishing was still allowed until 1969 and catch and release was foreign language to most tourists in 1970s. Until Fishing Bridge was closed in 1975, most tourists easily took their limit of three trout out of the Yellowstone everyday during their visit. The Firehole, Gibbon and Madison were very productive in the 1970s in June, Sept and October and although they were fly fishing only back then, the limit was still three fish a day. Upper Slough on the other hand was somewhat remote and required more effort for the same three fish. I first fished Slough 2nd meadow in 1972 in August and remember it as a lonely day hike to a beautiful meadow with average fishing (compared to the Firehole in June). In 1992, I fished from the campground upstream to the 1st meadow, saw my first Yellowstone Grizzly sow and cubs in the steep canyon and remember catching a ton of fish in the rocky, tumbling water.
Today, angler numbers are drastically down, most are fly fishermen because catch and release is the norm for all natives and most of the accessible waters. What I find most cool about fishing in Yellowstone, is that at the right times of the year, the right times of the day and on the right water you can find yourself alone, isolated for hours on most of the storied waters in the park.
Strategy without Tactics is a Slow Route to Victory, Tactics without Strategy is the Noise Before Defeat - Sun Tzu
Consequently, even though Slough Creek is arguably the most famous piece of water in the park…
Zach, do you really think Slough is more renown than the Firehole, Madison and Buffalo Ford on the Yellowstone? The literature on the park’s angling since 1938 would suggest otherwise. Or, do you think that Slough’s popularity is of a more recent vintage as anglers seek to get away from the more crowded rivers?
Strategy without Tactics is a Slow Route to Victory, Tactics without Strategy is the Noise Before Defeat - Sun Tzu
