General Information
The crew at Sunrise Pack Station offers many different angling options throughout the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park. Most of the fishing takes place on small backcountry creeks and streams. Wading and fishing from the banks is the normal practice, along with the use of lighter trout rods – four weight and five weight – in packable, four-piece configurations. Most of the fish you will catch in the backcountry of Yellowstone are native cutthroat trout – colorful and feisty and almost always willing to take a dry fly.
+ Listen to this WAYPOINTS Podcast: SHANE MCCLAFFLIN – Fishing and Horsepacking the Wilds of Yellowstone
Upper Gallatin River
Spend 3 days and 3 nights camped up on the Upper Gallatin River. In this beautiful part of Yellowstone there are good chances to see wildlife near Big Horn Pass, catch some wild trout in the Gallatin River, and enjoy wildflowers in the meadows and hillsides. Our first day will be spent riding up the Upper Gallatin River to a camp right on the river’s edge. The following days and nights will be spent hiking, riding, fishing, and playing.
Slough Creek
One of the most sought-after places to fish in Yellowstone National Park is Slough Creek. The fish are big, the water is slow, and the scenery is spectacular. We ride in, set up camp, and then concentrate on fishing. At this time of year, we match the many hatches that are coming off the water. These early fish have not seen very many fishermen yet, so they come more readily to the fly. While you are on the river, be sure to look up and take in the surrounding scenery of Gunsight Mountain and Cutoff Mountain.
Cache Creek
On our first day we'll ride 11 miles to the Upper Cache Creek site, where we'll set up our home away from home for the next 3 nights. The coming days can be spent riding, hiking, and relaxing. We can ride up Cache Creek for some photography as we climb alongside the Thunderer for some great views, or photograph the occasional buffalo, wolf, or bear meandering up and down the trail. Hiking up or down the creek can provide some exciting adventure exploring the bends in the watershed. Our nights will be filled with tales around the campfire, good food, and relaxation. On our last day, after the guides pack things up, we’ll head back toward home.
Northwest Corner
This 4 day family-oriented trip will take us up to Fan Creek. This backcountry playground is a place for hikes, playing in the creek, playing with the horses, or fishing for trout in Fan Creek. The length of rides here is shorter and easier making it more attainable for those nervous about long rides in the backcountry. Our nights will be spent around the campfire enjoying stories or listening to the howl of wolves. The Fan Creek region has one of the few almost all black wolf packs in Yellowstone National Park.
Specimen Creek / High Lake
Enjoy Yellowstone’s remote Northwest Corner. We will begin at the Specimen Creek Trailhead and ride 6 miles up our first day to a beautiful camp on the North Fork of Specimen Creek. We will stay in this camp for three nights. The next day we will day-ride up to High Lake and then ride on up to a view overlooking the Yellowstone River on the other side of the mountain range. The third day is a day for hikes or relaxing in camp or a possible day ride into Sportsman’s Lake. On our fourth day, we will pack up camp and head back out.
Lamar River
One of Yellowstone National Park’s premier secluded spots, the Lamar River Valley provides peace and quiet without a lot of other visitors. We will ride up the canyon, out of reach of many of the visitors to Yellowstone National Park, and camp along some pristine waters. We’ll spend 4 days and 3 nights in one camp on the Lamar. This is a great place to bring your camera. Wolves, bears, buffalo, and elk are all known to frequent these areas. While we’re here, we’ll discuss the Nez Perce Indians who traveled right through this region as they fled from the army in Yellowstone National Park in 1877 and talk about the geology that resulted in so many petrified trees right beside our camp.
Sportsman's Lake
This 5 day family-oriented trip will take us up to Sportsman’s Lake. Our first night will be on the North Fork of Specimen Creek after a 6 mile ride in. Our next day begins with another 6 mile ride taking us to Sportsman’s Lake for a 3 night stay. Here, guests can fish and play in the lake at their leisure. If someone desires, we can do day rides or hikes out of camp and see other places like Electric Pass, or head out to the Yellowstone National Park boundary on forgotten trails. Play on the porch of the ranger cabin, explore the woods and rocks around the lake, and watch for moose, elk, and deer which often frequent the area. Come join us in this family playground.
Bechler River
Come to Yellowstone National Park’s Cascade Corner and explore its many wonders. We start near the Bechler Meadows where on a clear day we can see the Grand Teton Mountain. From this camp, you can hike, play in the crystal-clear cold waters, or ride to a nearby waterfall. Our second camp will be up at the head of the Bechler Canyon where we will hike up to the Ferris Fork Hot Spring to see the thermal features and maybe do a little swimming. Our final day will be spent riding down the beautiful canyon and heading home.
Lamar River "Over the Top"
On this progressive travel trip, we will travel from the Pelican Creek trailhead by Yellowstone Lake over Mist Creek Pass and connect with the Lamar River at Cold Creek Junction. From that point, we will fish our way down to its confluence with Soda Butte Creek. The scenery is majestic and the fishing is great. We will have three camps on our journey, one at the pass, one at Cold Creek Junction and one in the middle of the Lamar. With this trip in early fall, we expect to start hearing the elk bugle and are likely to see a variety of wildlife.
Boats and Equipment
Camps are accessed via horseback, usually with the support of several mules on a mule train. Sunrise Pack Station provides all camping gear, including tents, sleeping bags, pillows, inflatable ground pads, sleeping bag liners, and pillowcases. They also provide large duffel bags for you to pack your clothing and other gear for the mules to carry. You will want to bring all of your own clothing, a headlamp, personal items, and your fishing equipment. Sunrise Pack Station and Yellow Dog will send you a packing list so you will not forget anything. Most people bring their own fishing gear, but rental rods are available upon request. Waders are optional, although recommended for the early season.
