Rock Creek is low, clear, and in a true wade-fishing pattern. The Clinton gauge is around 276 cfs, down from 297 cfs in the last report, and the latest morning water temperature was about 58 degrees. That makes Rock Creek one of the cooler local options, but low flows mean fish are spooky and presentation matters. Move slowly, stay low, and fish good water before stepping into it.

No floating is allowed on Rock Creek. Plan on wade fishing only. None of these rivers are currently on hoot owl restrictions, but anglers should still fish responsibly during warm afternoons, especially in the lower creek. Early mornings, shade, pocket water, and cooler upper-river sections will be the best bet.

The most productive water will be pocket water, boulder edges, riffle drops, shaded banks, inside bends, undercut edges, soft seams, and small current breaks behind heavier water. As the creek continues to drop, trout become easier to locate but much easier to spook. Smaller dries, longer leaders, and clean drifts will often beat bigger attractor rigs.

The prolific late spring and early summer hatch window is over, and Rock Creek is now in a mid-to-late summer pattern. Terrestrials are becoming more important, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks and brushy edges. Late-stage PMD spinners, Tricos, and caddis are the main bugs now.

PMD spinner action can be good early in the morning on soft edges, tailouts, slicks, and slower pockets. Tricos may also bring fish up in calmer water. Evening caddis fishing can be strong when the sun starts to set, especially around riffles, pocket edges, foam lines, and soft banks. The cooler weekend forecast should help Rock Creek, with highs near the upper 70s and cooler nights improving the early bite.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-18
• Beetles #12-16
• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14
• Water Walkers #8-12
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• Tricos #18-22
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
• X-Caddis #14-18
• Purple Haze #14-20
• Parachute Adams #14-20
• Stimulators #8-14

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Perdigons #14-20
• Pheasant Tails #14-20
• Caddis Pupa #12-18
• 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