Continued from Waters We Fish

Slough Creek

There are a few big rainbows in this lower water as well as cutthroats. The upper meadows of Slough are accessed from a trailhead near the campground. The first meadow is a 45 minute walk from the trailhead—this hike starts with a fairly steep climb but levels out after the first hill. The first meadow is the most popular since it's close, and while the fishing is excellent, you can expect to see plenty of other anglers here in the middle of summer.

Slough Creek's second meadow is about a 2 hour trek, but worth it. The additional distance cuts down the number of anglers, but it also shortens the fishing day if you do this as a day trip. There are several camp sites in the second and third meadows but these are on a reservation basis only with the Park Service at Mammoth. Many of the cutthroats you'll catch in the second or third meadow will hit 18 and even 20 inches. These are heavy fish, and some of the best fighting cutthroats anywhere! Best of all, they are love to rise to dry flies. Heavy hatches of caddis, PMD's, and large Green Drake mayflies make for some spectacular dry fly fishing in July. Later, hoppers and terrestrials are the ticket.