Rock Creek is low, clear, cold, and technical. The lower creek near Clinton was last verified around 230 to 235 cfs, which is close to the last report and still in a very careful wade-fishing range. There is enough water in deeper pockets, plunge pools, and shaded seams to fish well, but this is not forgiving water. Fish are easy to spook, so slow movement and clean first casts matter.

Floating is no longer allowed on Rock Creek. Plan on wade fishing only. Work slowly and fish holding water before stepping into it. The best targets are pocket water, boulder edges, riffle drops, plunge pools, undercut banks, shaded seams, and soft current breaks behind heavier water. Light tippet, smaller dries, and careful drifts will help in the clearer water.

The weekend brought rain, snow, and a real cold-weather reset to the drainage. Rock Creek was reported around 48 to 50 degrees, which is very good trout water, but cold enough that mornings may start slowly. Give the creek time to warm. Late morning through afternoon should be the better dry-fly window.

The fall hatch transition is fully here. Terrestrials are fading, but there is still a chance to pick up fish on beetles, ants, or a small hopper during a warmer afternoon along grassy banks and brushy edges. BWOs are now one of the most important bugs, especially during gray or damp weather. October Caddis are already being seen, and Mahogany Duns and Hecubas should still matter in the coming weeks. Larger fall dries can work in broken pocket water, while smaller BWO and mayfly patterns are better in calm seams and soft edges.

Streamer fishing can be a smart choice now. At these flows, smaller patterns are usually better than oversized meat. Fish small sculpins, Woolly Buggers, Thin Mints, Sparkle Minnows, and compact olive or black streamers through plunge pools, boulder pockets, and undercut banks.

Weekend Outlook

The coming weekend looks much warmer and more comfortable than last weekend’s snow. Expect a slow start on cold mornings, but warmer afternoons should improve dry-fly activity and keep small streamers in play.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• BWO Dries #18-22

• BWO Emergers #18-22

• Mahogany Duns #14-16

• October Caddis Adults #8-12

• Hecubas #10-12

• Parachute Adams #16-22

• Purple Haze #16-20

• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18

• X-Caddis #14-18

• Stimulators #10-14

• Beetles #12-16

• Ants #14-18

• Small hoppers #10-12

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18

• Pheasant Tails #16-20

• Perdigons #16-20

• BWO Nymphs #18-22

• October Caddis Pupa #8-12

• Caddis Pupa #14-18

• Jigged Hare’s Ears #14-18

• Hot Spot Stoneflies

• Small jig nymphs #16-20

Streamers

• Thin Mints

• Woolly Buggers

• Sparkle Minnows

• Small sculpin patterns

• Mini Dungeons

• Sparring Partners

• Small olive streamers

• Small black streamers