Like all other Yellowstone tributaries, the Stillwater is open to anglers all year. Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Web site for any special regulations. Their fishing guide Web page gives excellent information for any body of water in the state at http://fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/.

BOULDER RIVER
The headwaters of the Boulder and Stillwater rivers originate a scant 15 miles from each other among the craggy peaks of the Beartooth Mountains. For this reason they are quite similar in regards to insect life and species present. The only difference is that there are far fewer people who fish Boulder, a Blue-Ribbon tributary.

A fast river even in the fall, the Boulder flows between, over and around house-sized chunks of granite while descending more than 6,000 feet before dumping into the Yellowstone.

There are some stretches in which the river loses its intensity, but the first segment, between the headwaters and Two Mile Bridge, is not one of them. A case study of a river in a hurry, this section is more popular with kayakers than fishermen. However, it does afford one advantage: anglers will have an easier time searching for good water since the road closely parallels this length of the river and affords nearly 22 miles of uninterrupted access.

The next section, between Two Mile Bridge and Natural Bridge, flows at a gentler rate through sub-alpine meadows. Here the river flattens out and features plenty of riffles, runs and deep holes. During the summer this stretch affords the best fishing since the grassy banks afford good hopper fishing.

After flowing under a geologic marvel called Natural Bridge, the river dumps out into a broad glacial valley and carries on for 30 miles through agricultural land before joining with the Yellowstone. This section features fewer access points, but anglers can walk in from any of several bridges crossing the river.

Regardless of what section anglers choose to fish, they should definitely make time to see Natural Bridge National Monument. It is a unique site, to say the least, where 1,500 cubic feet of white water suddenly disappears into a massive wall of igneous rock.

There are several maintained trails in the Natural Bridge area affording different views of this magnificent geologic feature. Visiting anglers should walk the south trail to read the interpretive signs and get a good view of the 100-foot waterfall. Then cross the wooden bridge and walk the north trail downstream. It is well worth the stroll since some of the largest cutthroats in the river reside in this section.

SHIELDS RIVER
There are few places where the scenery can make dedicated fly-fishers forget about their quarry. The Shields River Valley is one such place.

Bordered to the east by the sweeping, snow-painted peaks of the Crazies and to the west by the regal Bridger range, the Shields flows like a silver ribbon through the valley floor below.

Taking in the charming demeanor of the river, it is easy to understand what drew William Clark to explore several miles of the river while stopped for an afternoon at its junction with the Yellowstone. Clark christened the river after John Shields, a skilled gunsmith and carpenter who was of great service to the Lewis and Clark expedition. And unlike most other bodies of water named by the expedition, the river held its moniker through the last two centuries, a tribute to the hardscrabble group of outdoorsmen who explored the area more than 200 years ago.

Driving west on Interstate 90, travelers will want to take the White Sulfur Springs exit and head north on Highway 89. This paved road parallels the Shields until the river turns east into the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Though there are no designated public accesses along the Shields, numerous bridges cross the river, providing entry to anglers. Anglers should spend most of their time on the stretch of river between Wilsall and Clyde Park since it offers more access opportunities and better stream habitat.