A proper rod setup is key. A 6wt rod would be the starting point for a majority of
Stillwater anglers. Although standard 9’ 5wts can suffice, we prefer either a longer rod, or a stiffer rod. The standard 9’6wt rod works great for a variety of applications, but over the years more and more Stillwater anglers have been focused on the 9’6” or 10’ rods that offer better leverage for setting hooks, fighting fish, and managing longer distance casts—especially in windy conditions! Our top picks include the 10’ Scott Centric and 10’ Scott Session in a 5 or 6-weight. For two-handed casting, the Echo TR Spey Rod in a 4 or 5-weight is ideal for effortless roll casting and hook-setting at long distances. For streamers or retrieved flies, a 9’ 6 or 7-weight Scott Centric or Winston Alpha Plus is a solid choice.

Matching the right fly line to the rod and presentation is essential. In stillwater fishing, having a floating line is probably the most essential component to fish, while understanding that intermediate sink lines and heavy sink lines can be a great addition to finding fish. Similar to how we fish rivers, there are many applications for finding success. 

Nymph Rigs: 

For long nymph rigs, the new Rio Gold Max or Rio’s Single Hand Spey lines are great for turning over heavy rigs with distance. Sometimes that extra 5’ of distance you can get out of the proper fly line is the difference between a 1 fish day and a 5 fish day. Not to mention if the weather conditions aren't ideal (fish love bad weather), it is going to take a bit more of an aggressive line to deliver a proper presentation. 

Small Fly Presentations & Slow Retrieval: 

For retrieving smaller flies like leeches and smaller aquatic insects, an intermediate line like the Scientific Anglers Sonar Stillwater Clear Camo Line is excellent for reducing visibility underwater. It allows you to present flies for a longer period of time in different columns of the water. Its sink rate is around 1.5” per second, which is relatively slow compared to the next style of fly lines we’ll talk about. These are ideal lines for anyone that doesn’t have access to a boat or float tube that allows you to fish deeper water w/o getting hung up on bottom, while also being very effective from a boat or float tube. We’d deem it as the second most essential fly line. 

Aggressive & Large Presentation:

A sink tip fly line or sinking leader helps get flies to the proper depth. Rio’s 7-foot Versileader, available in various sink rates, pairs well with a floating line. Carrying extra spools allows quick changes between floating, intermediate sink, or even aggressive sink lines. Lamson’s Liquid and Remix Reels 3-Pack simplifies this transition to allow you to fish a variety of different methods.

For rig building, fluorocarbon tippet (2x-5x) is essential for subsurface flies, as stillwater fish scrutinize leader visibility. It is not necessary to use a fluorocarbon leader, but there are times and places where we do revert to those. Usually in clear water lakes, or lakes that tend to have more pressure. Regardless, starting with a 9' leader is key to allow you to be able to adjust your rigs to the right depths, while also making sure you are adding fluorocarbon tippet to the end of it for tying on your flies. Generally, we add around 2-3' additional.

Tippet rings and micro swivels make depth adjustments easier. Airlock and Thingamabobber strike indicators prevent leader kinks and allow quick depth changes, while slip indicators are great for deep-water nymphing, like the Plum Bobber. If a boat isn’t available, float tubes like the Outcast Fish Cat Cruzer and Fish Cat Rise provide mobility and access to prime feeding zones without the dent In the bank account. 

Lastly, fly selection is crucial. Confidence in chosen patterns is just as important as realism in stillwater conditions. Maintaining a diverse fly box covering various trout food sources ensures success on the water.

Leeches:

Balanced Leech, Hot Head Squirrel Leech, Thin Mint/Copper Thin Mint, Wooly Bugger, Rickards Seal Bugger, Mayer’s Mini Leech

Chironomids:

Jumbo Juju Chironomid, Frostbite Chironomid, Tak’s Crystal Chironomid, Mayer’s Tube Midge, Yankee Buzzer. Adult Biot Midge, Adult Chironomid Dry Fly, Adams Dry Fly

Damselflies:

Barr’s Damsel Nymph, Mayer’s Jig Damsel, Hula Damsel, Sierra Damsel Nymph, Adult Wiggle Damsel

Callibaetis:

Rickards Stillwater Callibaetis Nymph, Anatomical Callibaetis, Hare’s Ear, Trigger Nymph, Extended Body Adult Callibaetis, Parachute Adams

Streamers/Crawfish:

Hornberg, Muddler Minnow, Wooly Bugger, Thin Mint, Platte River Special, White Zonker, Goldies, Ritt’s Fighting Craw, Creek Crawler, Snapping Craw

Other Bugs:

Theo’s Boatman, Flashback Scuds, and Slow Water Emerger Nymph.