Rock Creek is around 265 cfs near Clinton, down from the last report’s 286 cfs reading. That puts the creek back into a clear, technical fall wade-fishing pattern. There is still enough water to fish well, but stealth and careful presentations are important. Fish are easier to locate at these flows, but they are also 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 the clearer water, smaller dries, lighter tippet, and careful drifts can make a big difference.

Today’s clouds and showers should help the creek fish well, especially once the water warms a bit from the cold morning. The weekend looks mostly sunny and mild, with Clinton-area highs in the upper 60s to low 70s and cool nights. That should keep water temperatures comfortable while shifting the best dry-fly window toward late morning and afternoon.

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.

Streamer fishing can be a good idea as we move toward 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.

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