The current winter storm pounding southwest Montana and the Yellowstone region may for all intents mark the end of the great season for Slough. 

As late as yesterday good hatches of Drakes and Baetis were still in play, and though decreased in numbers there were still some terrestrials clinging to life despite the chilly lows of the past week or ten days.  Today’s pic could easily have been taken yesterday morning on the river; it’s white and wintery today. 

The very cold weather over the next few days will chill the water impressively – there’s not a water temp reporting gage on Slough, but on typically warmer Soda Butte water temps have been pushing 35 on the cool nights, and that’s before the really cold weather of this weekend. 

One the weather settles, mid-day fishing might be worth a try, though there will be much more productive water in the Park.  We’d expect some midge and baetis activity mid-day as the temps moderate over the next week (there is not another major storm system on the 10 day forecast as of yet).  Terrestrials are a done deal over here from this point forward. 

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Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparadun, Fall baetis Sparkle Dun, Para-Adams; Midges and small midge emergers;  Drakes – life cycle, waning

Nymphs:  BH & FB PT; Copper John, green, red, chartreuse; Shop Vac; Flashback soft hackle, yellow; HE assortment; your favorite midge emergers

Streamers / Others:  Woolly Buggers, brown, black, olive, blue; Sparkle Buggers, same - note overall they should be on the smaller side

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