[ARCHIVE] Stillwater River Report 07/30/18

Flows have continued to drop and the water temperature warm up. Dry fly fishing has improved, 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 Fish have been on a dropper nymph, like a prince nymph, hare’s ear, batman, red copper john or pheasant tail. If fish are hitting the big dry, particularly tight to the banks,  leave it off as it allows for better accuracy. Nymphing has also been producing, particularly early in the day. 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.