Slough Creek has continued to slow a bit, and has offered pretty challenging fishing for those venturing to its banks.

There’s no flow gauge on Slough Creek, so there is no flow data to follow  - clarity will in all likelihood be an issue today (and for several more) given the recent rain and snow - all other waters in the area are up impressively this morning (flows on the Lamar have nearly doubled in the past 30 hours).

Our preference (like most) is still to fish Slough on a wet, overcast, and cooler day - not only does it drive off some of the sports but more importantly it brings out the BWOs, Green Drakes, and Hecubas.  These BWOs are a bit larger than on the Firehole, 18-22 here, and the hatches haven’t been quite as prolific.  You’ll still need fine tippets and very clean drifts over here.

During the periods that hatches aren’t rolling (more common) - we’d be swing soft hackles or indicator nymphing with midges and small mayfly nymphs - sight fishing if possible.

With the water year the Park’s had, all the waters in the NE sector are on a typical day still running pretty low and deeper water is hard to find;  you could still think about a streamer, streamer/nymph, or double nymph set up in the deeper runs and holes.

Terrestrials are done this week - it’s been nippy at night, and this weekend it might even be colder.

The key strategy for all the NE corner waters at this time of year is probably to walk and find rising or working fish and work them carefully.  We agree with Walter over at Park’s Fly Shop in Gardiner that when it’s below 40 - we’d head to other waters.

Finally, there’s been a fair amount of bear activity over here - don’t fish alone and we feel better with some bear spray in the vest or pack. 

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Flies to have in the box:

Dries:  baetis - BWO, Blue Dun, Olive Sparkle Dun, Comparaduns, Para-adams; Paradrake, gray, green/olive; Parachute Adams; Green and Fall Drake, life cycle,

Nymphs:  BH PT; FB PT; Copper John, green / chartreuse; Shop Vac; Flashback softhackle, yellow; Soft hackles, various

Streamers / Others:  Woolly Buggers, olive, brown, black, yellow;  Girdle Bugs, small; Muddler, small; Woolly Worms, olive, brown, black, yellow; JJs

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