Soda Butte Creek Overview
Key Waters
Overview
This small stream is also a tributary to the Lamar, located NW of Slough Creek about 12-miles. A favorite of several of our guides, this overlooked small stream can provide some fantastic fly fishing all summer long. Soda Butte Creek might just have one of the most majestic backdrops of any river in the area. The entire northeastern view is dominated by the peaks of the Beartooth Mountain range. Winding and braiding its way through the meadows at the base of these peaks, Soda Butte will keep both your fishing eye and your scenic eye competing for favor.
Sections
The Upper Reaches
The Soda Butte Creek above Pebble Creek is a tightly forested mountain river that tumbles rapidly from the intense peaks and canyons of the Beartooth Mountain Range. Solitude is the name of the game in this stretch, and the visiting angler can cover pools, riffles, pocket water and runs without bothering anyone, except for the occasional forest creature. Take note of the vegetation structure in this region of Soda Butte, as it is unique to this corner of Yellowstone.
The Lower Meadows
The Soda Butte loses all of its velocity as it exits IceBox Canyon and enters its final meadowy run to the Lamar. It is here that most anglers visit the Soda Butte, deftly casting dry flies along undercut banks, across shallow riffles, and prospecting slow runs. Surprisingly large Native Yellowstone Cutthroat can be found in the best looking trout water, especially the undercut banks. Good hatch activity all summer keeps the fish in tune with the surface.
Hatches
| Insects | Calendar |
|---|---|
| Heptagenia Mayflies | July 20th - September 5th |
| Drake Mackerels | August 20th - September 30th |
| Yellow Sallies | July 1st - July 31st |
| Green Drakes | July 1st - July 20th |
| Hydropsyche Caddis | July 1st - August 15th |
| Terrestrials | July 1st - September 30th |
| Pale Morning Duns | July 1st - July 31st |
| Baetis Mayflies | August 20th - September 30th |
Special Notes
The Soda Butte Creek is a very small stream, in places less than 20-feet wide. Its intimate character, spectacular scenery, and great fishing lend to its popularity. Cutthroat pushing the 20” mark have been coaxed from its waters, but the average size of the fish is around 13”.
