Soda Butte Creek Fishing
The northeast quadrant of Yellowstone National Park is considered the most beautiful. It contains three of the most popular waterways - the Lamar and Yellowstone Rivers, and Slough Creek - all home to the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
Soda Butte Creek is a large tributary to the Lamar River, and of all the excellent trout streams in Yellowstone National Park it ranks among the finest.
Soda Butte Creek ranks among the finest for trout fishing.
Similar to the Lamar River, Soda Butte Creek can run high and muddy during spring run-off. However, once Soda Butte Creek begins to clear, excellent fly fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout can be found on the lower section of the river, generally defined as downstream from the Pebble Creek campground area. Average rainbow trout size is around 12 inches, but fish exceeding 16 inches is not uncommon either.
Trout exceeding 16 inches is not uncommon.
The methodologies of fly fishing Soda Butte Creek is not very different than fishing the Lamar River. Terrestrials are the fly of choice beginning July and lasting until the first freeze. Hopper and cricket imitations, sized 4-10, are excellent choices for summer fishing once Soda Butte Creek clears. Additionally, dry flies such as the Pale Morning Dun and the Green Drake, sized 14-18, also work very well during the summer, as Soda Butte Creek has consistent hatches.
Soda Butte Creek has consistent hatches.
Soda Butte Creek is under a reasonable amount of fishing pressure. This is especially true near the confluence with the Lamar River. To avoid the crowds, however, just locate the part of the Creek that is furthest away from the road and start hiking. Excellent fishing awaits those who are willing to walk away from the obvious and easy road access spots.
To avoid the crowds locate the part of the Creek that is furthest away from the road.
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