Montana Fishing Reports ยท Yellowstone Country Region
The Stillwater tumbles out of the Beartooths past Absarokee, a fast freestone river with rainbows and browns in the pocket water.
Looking for the latest Stillwater River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Stillwater River โ Absarokee.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Stillwater River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The gauge near Absarokee reads a little over 400 cfs, low, clear and easy to wade.
Midday is best. Nymph the pockets with a small stonefly or Perdigon, and look for BWOs and midges in the slower water.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Absarokee, bring: Pat', s Rubber Legs #10-12, Perdigon #16-18, JuJu Baetis #18-20, Zebra Midge #18-20, Parachute Adams #18-20, RS2 Emerger #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Stillwater River details
| Access | Fishing access sites along the Stillwater River Road between Absarokee and Nye. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 4,000 to 5,000 ft |
| Nearest town | Absarokee, Montana |
| Best season | Spring through fall |
| Fish | Rainbow and brown trout |
| Regulations | Montana's stream regulations vary by district and river. Check Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regulations for the current rules. A Montana fishing license is required for anglers 12 and older. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 5X tippet |
| Camping | Fishing access sites and national forest campgrounds up the valley |
| Kids | Partly. Fast water. |
| Good to know | It is a rough float with real rapids. Wade it in the fall. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Cold.
Spring
Runoff.
Summer
Caddis and stoneflies.
Fall
BWOs and midges.
How to get there
From Billings, take I-90 west to Columbus, then State Highway 78 south to Absarokee.