[ARCHIVE] Stillwater River Report 07/23/18

Flows have continued to drop and the water temperature warm up. Dry fly fishing has taken off, with PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Caddis and Golden Stones all coming off at one time or another during the day. Fish are starting to eat the big dry with regularity by early afternoon. Stimulators, Jack Cabe, Chubbys and PMXs are good choices. Royal, Yellow, Orange and Olive are good body colors. They’re also hitting smaller dries like the Purple Haze with a good presentation You can fish a dropper nymph, but when they’re on the big dry, leave it off as it allows for better accuracy when casting tight to the banks. Nymphing early has also been producing, particularly early in the day. ,For nymphs, try a prince nymph, hare’s ear, batman, red copper john or pheasant tail. As flows drop, the lower river is becoming more manageable for float fishing. While the entire river is floatable, the river above Absarokee is starting to get bony in places and is best floated with a light load. For information, the Stillwater River road remains closed at Midnight Canyon.