Stillwater River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/4/2026
STILLWATER RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Montana — Winter Window: Cold, Clear, Tactical
Current River Conditions
Flow: Low for season — best for wading and systematic probing
Water Clarity: Clear to slightly stained in pockets — trout can be selective
Current: Mid to high 30s °F (near freezing in shaded runs)
What that means: Fish conserve energy — short, subtle takes; subsurface work rules
Typical basin winter: cold mornings, afternoon sun when it appears; wind variable; watch for sudden snow or icy banks
Parking and most public access points are open; expect icy approaches and slippery cobble. Waders with studs or felt-type traction recommended. Always tell someone your plan.
Hatch & Food Activity (What the trout are eating)
| Insect / Food | Typical Size | Activity (Jan) | Prime Presentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (chironomids) | #18–24 | Heavy — the backbone of winter feeding | Small beadhead midges, emergers, tip with indicator rigs |
| Baetis / BWO | #20–22 | Low–intermittent on warmer afternoons | Tiny emergers, soft hackles, small para-type dries if fish are rising |
| Scuds & Sculpin/Small Minnow Forage | varies (small) / #4–8 for streamers | Active — fish key on subsurface scuds and baitfish patterns | Weighted scuds, compact streamers and small articulated sculpin imitations |
| Stonefly / Salmonfly | #4–8 | Generally inactive in January | Big stonefly patterns are winter anchors to carry, but rarely the ticket now |
Recommended Flies — winter strategy
Focus: indicators, Euro/short-line nymphing, small jigs, and slow streamers. Below are top choices matched to proven patterns you can pick up quickly online.
Nymphs & Jigs (primary winter work)
- Egan's Poacher — Olive (compact, great as an anchor/Euro nymph)
- Egan's Poacher — Black (same profile in a darker silhouette)
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive (small jig with subtle profile — clutch winter piece)
- Tungsten Dart — Red (fast-sinking dart for deep holding fish)
Midges / Winter Micro Nymphs
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — winter staple for tight tiny presentations
- Black Mirage Zebra Midge — slightly different flash/contrast for picky trout
- Egan's Frenchie Chironomid — great for indicator rigs and stillwater-style presentations in tailouts
- Top Secret Midge — simple, effective tiny midge for slow winter takes
Small Dry / Emergers (occasional in warmer sun/afternoon)
- Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) — Tan — if fish show surface interest in pockets
- Parachute — Blue Wing Olive — thin, visible, and a good emergency dry
- Craven's Mole Fly — Brown — lifelike emerger silhouette for picky risers
- Antonio's Adult BWO — compact adult mayfly if a BWO window opens
Streamers & Baitfish / Sculpin Imitations
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin — go-to for structure and deep runs
- Sculpzilla — Olive — articulated profile for heavy takes in cold water
- Coffey's Sparkle Minnow — Pearl Gold — slightly brighter baitfish option for low light
- Galloup's Slick Willy — Brownie — a slim baitfish for slow strips along seams
Tactics — how to fish it
- Euro / short-line: single-run tight-line through seams and tailouts produces takes when fish are tight to the bottom. Use 0.3–0.6g nymphs and long, light leaders (3–4x) to feel subtle taps.
- Indicator fishing: long leaders, small strike indicators (egg or tiny foam), and a short shot of split shot near the point fly. Fish slower than you think — cold fish have delayed commitment.
- Midges: in low light or slow current, dead-drift tiny midge emergers and zebra midges. Tippet: 5x–7x depending on clarity and presentation.
- Streamers: slow, patient strips along deep edges and near sunken structure. Cold trout won’t chase far — aim the streamer into likely ambush lanes and give long pauses.
- Dry opportunities: if you see selective rises on warmer afternoons, downsize and present small parachutes or CDC dries. Midday sun and glassy water are when dry action can happen.
Leader, Tippet & Rig suggestions
- Nymph/Indicator: 9'–12' 4X–6X fluorocarbon or mono leader; 6–18" drop between indicator and point fly
- Euro setups: short leader, long 0X–4X fluorocarbon tippet extensions depending on water clarity
- Midge rigs: 6X–7X tippet on the dropper, tiny beadheads or jigged midges on the point
- Streamers: 0X–2X tippet, heavier butt section, and an aggressive leader for loading the rod
Where to Fish & When
Look for long slow tails, deeper slots behind boulders, and inside bends where current dumps. Cold trout stack in these micro-holding areas to conserve energy. The best windows are mid-morning into afternoon when the sun briefly warms the water by a degree or two — that small change will get fish to move a little more readily.
Quick Pack — flies to bring
| Category | 4 Best On-Hand Patterns |
|---|---|
| Nymphs / Jigs |
Egan's Poacher — Olive Egan's Poacher — Black Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive Tungsten Dart — Red |
| Midges & Small Nymphs |
Black Zebra Midge (TBH) Black Mirage Zebra Midge Egan's Frenchie Chironomid Top Secret Midge |
| Drys & Emergents |
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) — Tan Parachute — Blue Wing Olive Craven's Mole Fly — Brown Antonio's Adult BWO |
| Streamers / Sculpins |
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin Sculpzilla — Olive Coffey's Sparkle Minnow — Pearl Gold Galloup's Slick Willy — Brownie |
Notes from the river — real-world reading
On a recent wade I found that methodical coverage of deep tails with a tungsten Frenchie jig as the point and a tiny zebra midge dropper produced the most consistent takes. Fish rarely chased long — short, accurate presentations won the day. When a sun window opened and fish rose, they were most interested in small emerger silhouettes and CDC caddis.
Regulations & Courtesy
Always confirm current daily limits, seasonal rules, and any temporary closures before you launch. Winter anglers: pack out all gear and trash, avoid spooking shore-holding trout by keeping low and moving quietly, and leave gates and gates/bridges as you found them.
