[ARCHIVE] Stillwater River Report 9/7/2020

Stillwater 9/7: Flows have dropped below 500cfs so if floating, be prepared to drag your boat in spots. Cooler, wet weather has dropped the water temperature significantly and healthier for the fish. This time of year, there’s no hurry to get out on the water, it’s best to let things warm up a bit. Hopper fishing will still continue to be good most afternoons as it warms up. Big dries like PMXs, Stimulators, Jack Cabe and smaller size chubbies in size (10-14) and hopper patterns like Fat Franks in peach, purple, gold, olive and tan have been working well too. Other patterns like a smaller Otter Hopper or parachute hopper are good choices too. Dropper nymphs have been successful with smaller size prince nymphs, pheasant tails, red copper johns, and Lil’ Spankers are picking up fish. Straight nymphing with a double nymph setup of a bigger rubber leg like a girdle bug or pat’s rubber leg along with a smaller beadhead nymph like a prince or batman has been productive as well. Later in the afternoon, look for caddis. A smaller size stimulator or Jack Cabe should get some action. Another good combination has been to fish a double dry setup with a purple haze as a lead spotter fly trailed by a size 14 Jack Cabe or stimulator. Searching likely water with a smaller dry fly like a purple haze, royal wulff or parachute adams will likely produce as well.