Stillwater River
river in Montana
The Stillwater River is a relatively lesser-known freestone stream that offers a rewarding fly fishing experience. It supports good numbers of wild rainbow and brown trout, along with native westslope cutthroat, providing excellent dry fly and nymphing opportunities through scenic canyons and open valleys.
River flow last 30 days
What's working on Stillwater River
- 01Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatch is the primary focus for October, with strong emergences expected.
- 02Larger October Caddis are becoming a significant food source, triggering aggressive surface takes.
- 03Stillwater River is flowing at 383 cfs, offering nuanced fall fishing opportunities.
- 04Key dry flies include Parachute BWO, Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun, and October Caddis (Dry).
- 05Effective subsurface patterns include Jujubaetis for nymphs and Woolly Bugger (Olive) for streamers.
- 06Focus fishing efforts downstream of Nye to the Yellowstone River confluence for strong BWO activity.
- 07Target slower current seams, eddy lines, and soft water behind rocks.
- 08Precise, drag-free drifts are crucial for dry fly success, especially with selective BWO feeders.
- 09Consider dry-dropper rigs with BWO nymphs for varied water columns.
Past reports week by week
5 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis (Dry)
The largest caddis hatch of the year is active now, as indicated by regional reports for early October, offering a significant meal for aggressive trout.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are a primary fall hatch on the Stillwater River, especially on overcast days, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonParachute BWO
Consistent BWO hatches are expected in October, and this parachute dry fly is highly effective for rising fish, as regional intelligence signals indicate.
Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
BWO emergers are a crucial part of the fall hatch, and this high-visibility pattern helps spot subtle takes from trout keying on vulnerable insects in the film.
Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper
While fall progresses, hoppers can still be a significant food source along grassy banks, especially on warmer days, drawing aggressive strikes from opportunistic trout.
Chernobyl Ant
Terrestrial fishing remains strong in early fall, and larger foam patterns like the Chernobyl Ant serve as excellent attractors, imitating various large insects falling into the river.
Buy at AmazonJujubaetis
Baetis nymphs are consistently active subsurface, particularly during fall BWO hatches, making this a highly effective imitation for nymphing.
Buy at AmazonTungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
Stonefly nymphs are a consistent food source in freestone rivers year-round. This weighted pattern is excellent for getting deep in the current to imitate larger dislodged insects.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer that imitates leeches and baitfish, effective for enticing aggressive strikes from larger brown trout in the colder fall waters.
Where to fish and who to ask
Moraine Fishing Access
Offers access to good runs and pocket water in the upper section.
Nye Bridge
Common access point for the lower Stillwater, offering diverse fishing.
Woodbine Campground
Provides access to the scenic middle section of the river.
Get Stillwater River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Montana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
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Best Fly Fishing Waders of 2025 – Breathable vs. Neoprene
Expert comparison of breathable and neoprene waders with top 2025 models for every budget and fishing condition.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Quick answers
Common questions about Stillwater River.
What flies work best on Stillwater River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Stillwater River right now are October Caddis (Dry) (95% confidence), Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun (90% confidence), Parachute BWO (90% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Stillwater River?
Stillwater River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Stillwater River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Stillwater River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Stillwater River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Stillwater River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.