Rock Creek is in a low, clear, technical fall wade-fishing pattern. The Clinton gauge is around the mid-260s cfs range, about steady to slightly down from the last report’s 265 to 286 cfs range. There is still enough water to fish well, but stealth is important. The creek is clear, fish are easier to locate, and those same fish are easier to spook.

Floating is no longer allowed on Rock Creek. Plan on wade fishing only. Work slowly and fish likely holding water before stepping into it. Good targets include pocket water, boulder edges, riffle drops, plunge pools, shaded banks, undercut edges, soft seams, and small current breaks behind heavier water. In clear water, smaller dries, lighter tippet, and careful drifts can make a big difference.

The weekend was warm, dry, and stable, which kept Rock Creek clear and approachable. Water temperatures remain in a comfortable fall range, with recent readings around the low 50s. Cold mornings may start slow, so the better dry-fly window can be late morning into afternoon once the water warms slightly.

Rock Creek is fully in the fall transition now. Terrestrials are still worth fishing, especially beetles, ants, and hoppers along grassy banks, brushy edges, and shaded undercuts. BWOs should be on your radar during gray, cool, or damp weather. October Caddis are already being seen, and Mahogany Duns and Hecubas may become increasingly important in the coming weeks. Larger fall dries can be useful in broken pocket water, while smaller mayfly patterns will matter in calmer seams and soft edges.

Streamer fishing can be a good idea as we move deeper into October. If clouds return, rain adds a little stain, or fish are not looking up, small sculpins, Woolly Buggers, Thin Mints, and compact olive or black streamers can be effective through plunge pools, boulder pockets, and undercut banks.

Weekend Outlook

The next weekend looks cooler and more unsettled than the warm weekend we just had. That should help Rock Creek feel more like October, improve BWO potential, and make small streamers a better option if clouds and showers show up.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12

• Ants #12-18

• Beetles #12-16

• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14

• Water Walkers #8-12

• BWO Dries #18-22

• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18

• X-Caddis #14-18

• October Caddis Adults #8-12

• Mahogany Duns #14-16

• Hecubas #10-12

• Purple Haze #14-20

• Parachute Adams #14-20

• Stimulators #8-14

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18

• Pheasant Tails #14-20

• Perdigons #14-20

• BWO Nymphs #18-22

• Caddis Pupa #12-18

• October Caddis Pupa #8-12

• Jigged Hare’s Ears #14-18

• Hot Spot Stoneflies

• Small jig nymphs #16-20

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows

• Mini Dungeons

• Sculpin patterns

• Sparring Partners

• Thin Mints

• Woolly Buggers

• Small olive streamers

• Small black streamers