Rock Creek is shaping up nicely as flows continue to drop and water clarity improves throughout the drainage. The creek is becoming very fishable, especially for anglers on foot, but it is also starting to get a little bony for floating in spots. Flows are on the decline, so expect more exposed rocks, tighter channels, and technical navigation if you are trying to float. Wading is becoming more approachable, but anglers should still move carefully and focus on softer holding water along banks, inside bends, pocket water, and slower seams.

Wade fishing is becoming the better option, while floating is getting skinny and technical with exposed rocks, tight channels, and some wood to watch for. Fish are settling into banks, pocket water, riffle edges, soft seams, and slower buckets.

Salmonflies are just about finished, with only a few leftovers hanging around higher in the drainage. Golden Stones are now the main focus, and fish are still willing to move for bigger dries in the right water. PMDs, Yellow Sallies, caddis, and Green Drakes are also active, especially during warmer parts of the day and evening caddis windows.

Weather near Clinton looks warm and mostly sunny, with highs in the 70s and low 80s through midweek. Dry-dropper rigs should be very effective, but smaller dries may take fish when bugs are active and the light softens.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Golden Stones #6-10
• Chubby Chernobyls #6-12
• Water Walkers #6-10
• PMDs #14-18
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Green Drakes #10-12
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
• X-Caddis #14-16
• Purple Haze #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-18

Nymphs

• Pat's Rubber Legs #6-8
• TJ Hooker #6-8
• Hot Spot Stoneflies
• Frenchies #14-16
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Jigged Hare's Ears
• Caddis Pupa #12-16
• Perdigons #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-18

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows
• Mini Dungeons
• Sculpin patterns
• Sparring Partners
• Thin Mints
• Woolly Buggers
• Small olive or black streamers

The next stretch should continue to fish well as flows drop and the creek settles into a more summer-like pattern. Salmonflies are nearly done, but Golden Stones should keep fish looking up, and Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, PMDs, and caddis will help fill in the gaps. Floating is getting skinny in places, so wade fishing may become the better option as the creek continues to drop. Anglers willing to cover water and target softer holding lies should find willing cutthroat, rainbows, and browns throughout Rock Creek.

Obstructions are as follows:

Lower Fire Ring - Elkhorn: Woody and Jammy! Be careful in that stretch! The corner is blocked by a fresh log!