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Posted Sat, 04/04/2009 - 19:29 by smaslar


 

Soda Butte Creek YNP

Posted Thu, 02/04/2010 - 11:49 by jmaslar
Type of Stream: 
Freestone
Species: 
Primarily cutthroat and cutbows
Location: 
Northeast portion of the Yellowstone National Park
Nearest Town: 
Cooke City, MT

General Description:

The Soda Butte Creek starts just outside the Northeast Entrance to the Yellowstone National Park near Cooke City, MT. It flows along the Northeast Entrance Highway for most of its entire twenty mile length making it easily accessible.  It starts as a typical freestone mountain stream with a good deal of pocket waters including riffles and runs as it flows through one of the most magnificent picturesque valleys in the park surrounded by towering beautiful mountains. Right next to the highway where the Soda Butte Creek  meets the Lamar River sits a large hot spring cone and that is where A. Bart Henderson, a Cooke City miner, got the strange name of Soda Butte in 1870.
 
The upper part of Soda Butte Creek flows through a deep canyon known locally as the Icebox Canyon. Fishing in this canyon is good through the summer as the canyon is so deep that it provides shade for the waters and therefore, the water remains cool. However, Because of spring runoff, the creek is generally not fishable until mid-July making the summer an excellent time to fish the Soda Butte. Smaller cutthroats and a few brook trout are eager to take dry flies in the upper part of Soda Butte Creek.
 
The lower section of the Soda Butte Creek downstream from the Pebble Creek Campground area curves and snakes its way through a meadow in the Lamar Valley before it meets up with the Lamar River.
This section contains larger fish than anyone might expect for a small stream. Indeed while the average length of the fish is probably 12 and 14 inches, some cutthroats reach 18 or even 20 inches or more in length, making it a favorite stream for those who enjoy small peaceful streams. Bison are plentiful and you may need to work your way around them as you fish the Soda Butte Creek.
 
Fishing the soda Butte Creek:
As you might guess, fishing the Soda Butte is very similar to fishing the Lamar River and the stream enjoys a good supply of aquatic insects including stoneflies, caddisflies, and mayflies. The rest of the trout’s diet consists of terrestrials.
 
Late Spring and Summer:
Like the Lamar River, terrestrials are the fly of choice beginning in July and lasting until the first of October. Foam hoppers as well as ant and cricket imitations, in hook sizes 4 to 8, are excellent choices for summer fishing as soon as the Soda Butte Creek clears. Make short casts in the eddies at the head of the pools and tap the rod vigorously causing the fly to twitch as it drifts. Also, dry flies such as the Pale Morning Dun and the Green Drake, in hook sizes of 14 to 20 should work well due to the prolific hatches enjoyed by the Soda Butte Creek.
 
Access: 

Soda Butte Creek is easily accessed from the road and from the Pebble Creek Campground. The best fishing can be found where an angler needs to hike more than a few yards from the road.

 

Recommended DVDs, Books, etc.: 

 

Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park by James Marsh

Trout and Their Habitat

Fly Fishing for Small Stream Cutthroats

Fly Fishing Strategies That Catch Trout

More DVDs and Classes

Flies

License and Other Information:: 

Yellowstone National Park Regulations

Fishing License

Stream Flows

Weather

Road Opening and Closings

Park Trails

Hatches: 

Hatch Chart for Soda butte Creek and Lamar River


View Yellowstone National Park in a larger map

Yellowstone National Park Fishing Streams

Posted Wed, 02/03/2010 - 15:52 by jmaslar
Your rating: None

We have been very busy during the abnormally cold snowy weather here in Charlotte, North Carolina.  We have added detailed descriptions of several fishing streams in the Yellowstone National Park including the Madison, Yellowstone, Lamar, Gibbons, Gardner, Gallatin, and Firehole Rivers as well as Slough Creek which is the most recent addition. Please check them out at Trout University Streams and make any suggestions as to what you might like added to the already full descriptions.

I am still hoping that the weather will improve by this weekend so that I can hit the streams here in North Carolina for some relaxing trout fishing.

Slough Creek YNP

Posted Wed, 02/03/2010 - 14:12 by jmaslar
Type of Stream: 
Freestone
Species: 
Cutthroat, Rainbows and Cutbows
Location: 
North Central Yellowstone National Park
Nearest Town: 
Cooke City MT.
General Description:
Slough Creek rises in the Beartooth Mountains, near the famous Grasshopper Glacier, at an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet. Grasshopper Glacier was named for the tens of millions of grasshoppers (locusts) that have been frozen in the ice, for hundreds or even thousands of years.
 
Fascinating, but now back to Slough Creek! Slough Creek pronounced “Sloo” tumbles 4 miles down to Yellowstone National Park and continues about 16 miles through the park where it meets up with the Lamar River in the Lamar Valley. On the way southward through the Yellowstone, Slough Creek is about 20 or 30 feet wide and it flows through four elk and bison-filled open meadows. About 11 miles of the Slough are in these meadows punctuated with the remaining 5 miles of steep canyons with cascades and riffles.
 
The first mile from the confluence with the Lamar River is a cascade-riffle stretch through a steep canyon leading to the first meadow. The First Meadow, is a 45 minute (about 1 ½ miles) walk from the trailhead at the confluence of Slough Creek and the Lamar River. This meadow holds some cutthroat, cutbows and rainbow trout. The fish average 14 to 18 inches with some going over 20 inches. The First Meadow enjoys great popularity since its close, and the fishing is excellent. Indeed, you can expect to see numerous other anglers here throughout the entire year.
 
The Second Meadow is separated from the First Meadow by a section of fast, steep gradient water that flows for a mile and a half through a canyon. Reaching the Second Meadow is a two to three-hour walk (about 4 miles) from the confluence if you are in good condition. Fishing this meadow of the Slough Creek is not good for a one day trip and should be approached as an overnight camping trip. Reservations for several existing camp sites in the Second and Third Meadows can be made with the Park Service at Mammoth.  
 
The fishing pressure is somewhat abated due to the necessary hike and the cutthroats in the Second Meadow or Third Meadow will hit 18 inches and occasionally even 22 inches. The Second and Third Meadows are separated by a short section of fast water flowing through timber. Third Meadow's fish are somewhat easier to catch, since they have seen fewer flies and attempts to fool them. The Third Meadow begins where a ranger cabin is located near a small creek that crosses the trail.
 
Fishing the slough Creek:
Slough Creek is usually not more than 30 feet wide making it an easy cast and the current is just as nice as you would want. An angler can have a happy productive day by drifting a dry fly down the riffles and watching the water explode. These cutthroats are as vicious as they are pretty. If a dry fly is not productive, try a stonefly nymph or the mayfly or caddis nymphs.
 
Spring and Early Summer:
Early hatches of the Blue Wing Olives and the Pale Morning Dun mayflies will present spectacular strikes. Start with the duns in hook sizes #18 through #22 for both hatches.  If they do not succumb to the dry fly, try the mayfly and caddis nymphs or the soft hackled wet flies. Be vigilant carefully watching for the subtle sip of a cutthroat taking the wet fly. Also, be sure to include some midge patterns in hook sizes #18 through #22 in your fly box as well.
 
Late Summer and Fall:
As with most of the meadow fishing in Yellowstone, July, August and up to early October is an ideal time for a terrestrial pattern. Hoppers, ants, beetles and the bee patterns in hook sizes #6 through #12 will produce the best results, However the trout in the ever popular First Meadow will be seeing a good number of terrestrial patterns as the summer goes by, so if you see the trout swim up to the fly and suddenly reject it, try a different pattern perhaps one with legs. Finally, if all else fails, a tandem rig using a small nymph as a dropper fly will also be deceitful.                         
 
Access: 
Access to Slough Creek is via the Slough Creek Road that starts 6 miles east on the Northeast Entrance Road
from Tower Junction. The lower end of slough Creek and the first Meadow can be accessed from the VIP Pool parking area at the intersection of the Northeast Entrance Road and Slough Creek Road.
 
Access to the upper three meadows can be from the Slough Creek Trailhead located about 2 miles from the Northeast Entrance Road before you get to the campground which is located another one half mile up and at the end of the road. Note that it is about 8 miles to the last meadow.
                                                                               
Recommended DVDs, Books, etc.: 

Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park DVD by James Marsh

Trout and Their Habitat DVD

Fly Fishing for Small Stream Cutthroats DVD

More DVDs and Classes 

Flies 

License and Other Information:: 

Yellowstone National Park Regulations

Fishing License

Stream Flows

Road Opening and Closings

Weather

Hatches: 

Hatches for Yellowstone river and North Central YNP


View Yellowstone National Park in a larger map

Snowbound in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Posted Mon, 02/01/2010 - 14:19 by jmaslar
Your rating: None

I took my wife and daughter over to Pigeon Forge, TN and Gatlinburg, TN for a winter vacation and boy did we get a WINTER vacation. When we arrived on Tuesday, the road from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge was open with one lane only due to a very recent rock slide that blocked the road. However the weather was pleasant until Thursday. Thursday evening while we eating dinner at the Olive Garden, the snow started to fall. The forecast was for a winter storm warning extending through Saturday evening at 4:00 PM.

There had been a rock slide on Interstate 40 in North Carolina so there was no way to get back to Charlotte except over the mountains with the best route being Interstate 40 through Johnson City TN, and Ashville NC. So we made an executive decision to ride it out and leave on Sunday.  For the most part the roads were clear with the exception being Hendersonville, NC where they had received 13 inches of snow.  Here are some pictures that we made in the GSMNP, and Hendersonville. 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

Why Use Bamboo Fly Rods

Posted Fri, 01/29/2010 - 07:52 by smaslar
Your rating: None

Using bamboo fly rods have long been considered the premier method of chasing fish.  Fishing with a bamboo fly rod, however, is more than just trying to get a hook in a fish's jaw.  Bamboo fly rods, which are usually custom made, are not only effective, but also beautiful, comfortable, and historic.  Following is a brief exploration of why you may want to fly fish with a bamboo fly rod.

1. Durabilty.  Bamboo fly rods, because they are solid throughout, are more resistant to crushing than graphite rods.

2. Better Roll Casting.  Small stream trout fishermen take note!  Because of bamboo's inherent action, roll casts are more effective with bamboo.

3. Rarified Air.  Some of the most famous flyfishers and celebreties have used bamboo.

4. Heirlooms.  A finely crafted bamboo fly rod makes a fine heirloom.

5. Smooth Action.  Because of the flexibility of the bamboo, progressive actions can be achieved to provide super smooth casting.

6.  Reserve Power.  The reserve power of a bamboo fly rod is far superior to a graphite rod.

7. Comfort.  Bamboo fly rods are much more "castable" than graphite, which means you can cast all day long and not wear out your arms and shoulders.

8. A Sense Of Community.  Bamboo fly rod enthusiasts form their own, unique subculture in the fly fishing community.

9. Sense Of Satisfaction.  If you choose to make your own bamboo fly rod, you will have a greater sense of satisfaction when you catch fish with it.

Thoughts About Easy Fish Hook Removal

Posted Mon, 01/25/2010 - 18:30 by jmaslar
Your rating: None

As I sit here in Charlotte, feeling the spring breezes and watching the bluebirds going in and out of the bluebird house, I can not help but think of the upcoming trout fishing season. But I have also been reminiscing about past trips to the Great Smoky MountainsNational Park with my son Steve and my grandson Tommy. On one particular trip, just Tommy and I were fishing in the Walker Camp Prong behind a rhododendron thicket some distance from the road when he saw a large rainbow trout probably over 12 inches long leap out of the water. This was exciting since the trout in that stream usually average about 6 to 10 inches long.
His boyish enthusiasm took over and caused him to drive an 8 ounce Roostertail hook into his leg just above the knee and he was in a great deal of pain. After a few minutes of struggling with the hook, I even suggested a trip to the local emergency medical clinic for removal. After hearing that suggestion and fearing that he might miss an opportunity to catch that rainbow, he just pulled it out with a mighty tug.
 
Had we known the recipe for (near) painless hook removal, he would have been spared a great deal of grief. Since then, I have tried the recipe successfully, so I will describe it in detail in a upcoming class.
 
In the meantime as I wait for spring fishing just a few weeks away, I will keep my self busy by adding detailed information about the trout streams found in the YellowstoneNational Park

 

Fly Fishing with James Marsh

Posted Thu, 01/21/2010 - 17:59 by jmaslar
Your rating: None

As I write this blog I am staring out the window at the rain falling here in Charlotte and musing about a potential trip out to Pigeon forge, TN to visit James Marsh among other things. (Other things being a dinner trip to the Alamo Steak House). James has fished about every trout stream in the GSMNP, and most of the trout streams in the entire USA as well as many streams in other parts of the World.

In our initial trip some weeks ago now, my son Steve and I were anxious to meet James as we had read and heard about his skill with a fly fishing rod. Indeed, we were most anxious to meet James and to fish with him, but we were rained out much to our dismay. However, he entertained us by showing us three streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which were not familiar to us and he showed us his new line of “Perfect Flies”. When we saw the flies, we were very impressed as the detail was far greater than any other flies that we have ever seen.
 
On my second trip to see James I purchased a complete set of his “Perfect Flies” collection for the Late Winter/Summer season in the Southeastern USA. This is a set of flies that James assembled to be sold exclusively by Trout University. Again James was the perfect host, entertaining me and showing me his “Perfect Fly” fly boxes. I was so impressed that I prevailed upon James to let us sell the fly boxes on Trout University as well.
 
Now, as I consider another trip to pick up yet another order of Perfect Flies for increasing our inventory, I am wondering how James will again make it an enjoyable visit despite the rain, or should I postpone the trip; I wonder?
 
Notice the one thing in common about my trips to Pigeon forge, TN is the rain!

Best Trout Streams in the Yellowstone National Park

Posted Tue, 01/19/2010 - 15:14 by jmaslar
Your rating: None

We at Troutu.com have been adding information about the best trout fishing streams in the southeast and in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and now we have started a section on the best trout streams located in the Yellowstone National Park. The information includes the items below as well as Google Maps and more.

* General Description

* Location and Detailed Access

* Type of Stream & Species of Trout

* Fly Fishing Approach for Each Season

* Hatches & Effective Flies

* License and Regulations

Please feel free to check them out at Yellowstone National Park and please give us suggestions via the "contact" form.

Fly Fishing Japaneese Style: Tenkara

Posted Sun, 01/17/2010 - 18:23 by jmaslar
Your rating: None

Tenkara is the traditional simplified Japanese method of fly-fishing developed over centuries in the small mountain streams of Japan. In this method, only a telescoping rod, line and fly are used; there is no need for a reel. Without the complexity of the added gear, you are free to focus on your casting and fishing techniques.  

Tenkara is especially effective for fishing the pocket water in the fast flowing streams such as are found in the Great Smoky Mountains. The obvious advantages are the simplicity, the ability to make delicate and precise presentations, the ability to keep the line off the water and the ability to reach small overgrown challenging streams. The Tenkara method also gives perfect control over the fly at all times.
 
All that is needed is a telescoping rod that is 11 to 13 feet in length when fully extended. To the end of the rod, tie a length of small diameter fish line that is approximately one foot longer than the extended rod. To the end of the line attach the fly; simple! And since the rod collapses down to 20 inches Tenkara is great for the SmokeyMountains backpacking and camping trips.
 
The fly is propelled by the line as done in the West, but the fly casting technique is shorter and slower. The Tenkara rig will also be perfect for dry fly fishing in the small mountain streams using the Great Smoky Mountaineer developed method of "caneing" using cane poles as well as the "slingshotting" or "bow and arrow"method of fishing. Also, the Tenkara method can be employed for high-sticking nymphs or for the Czech method of nymph fishing.
 
Landing a fish is very intuitive and similar to any type of fishing with a rod. All the angler must do is to simply raise the rod high, and reach for the fish.
 
For much more information on the subject refer to Tenkara USA. 

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