Montana ·
Stillwater River Fly Fishing Report - September 27, 2026

STILLWATER RIVER
ReportSEP 27 — OCT 4, 2026
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Flow
409CFS
Stillwater River near Absarokee, MT
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Water Temp
55.8°F
Updated 2026-09-27
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Weather
42–69°F
Mostly Clear
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is a fishable 409 cfs at 1.56 ft gauge height with water temps at a comfortable 55.8°F — ideal conditions for both nymphing and opportunistic dry fly action. Mostly cloudy skies today with a high of 63°F will keep light low and fish looking up through midday.
What's Working — Hot Flies

Bionic Hopper - Tan #12
#12

Bionic Hopper - Purple #12
#12

Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22

Top Secret Baetis #16
#16

Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
#22

Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis #14
#14

Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
#12

Egan's Frenchie #12
#12

Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless #12
#12

Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20

Black Zebra Midge(TBH) #20
#20

Bionic Ant 2.0 - Black #16
#16
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | #18-22 | Heavy | 10 AM - 2 PM |
| Caddis | #18-20 | Moderate | 11 AM - 3 PM |
| Grasshopper | #10-12 | Moderate | 12 PM - 4 PM |
| Midge | #20-22 | Light | 8 AM - 10 AM |
| Stonefly Nymph | #10-12 | Light | 7 AM - 11 AM |
Best Time Window
- 7 AM - 9:30 AM: Early midge and stonefly nymph action in pocket water and deep runs before full light.
- 10 AM - 2 PM: Prime BWO hatch window under overcast skies — best dry fly opportunity of the day in tailouts and seams.
- 12 PM - 4 PM: Hopper time along grassy banks and undercut edges; fish will move for a well-placed terrestrial.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith the river running low and clear at 409 cfs, stealth is your biggest advantage today. Drop to 5X or 6X fluorocarbon tippet and approach rising fish from well downstream. During the BWO window between 10 AM and 2 PM, focus on the long, flat tailouts where fish will be sipping emergers just under the film — position yourself to make a reach cast that gives you at least 4-5 feet of drag-free drift before the fly reaches the fish. If the dry bite goes quiet in the afternoon, switch to a hopper pattern worked tight to grassy cutbanks on the inside bends.
Main Species
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
