Rock Creek is low, clear, and in a true wade-fishing pattern. The Clinton gauge is around 297 cfs, down from 314 cfs in the last report, and the latest verified water temperature was about 65.8°F Tuesday afternoon. That means Rock Creek is still very fishable, but the lower creek can warm up, especially during hot afternoons.

No floating is allowed on Rock Creek. Plan on wade fishing only. None of this creek is currently on hoot owl restriction, but anglers should still fish responsibly during the warmest part of the day. Early mornings, shade, pocket water, and cooler upper-river sections will be the best bet.

The best water will be pocket water, boulder edges, riffle drops, shaded banks, inside bends, undercut edges, soft seams, and small current breaks behind heavier water. Lower flows make trout easier to locate but much easier to spook. Move slowly, stay low, and fish good water before stepping into it.

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. When fish are feeding on spinners or Tricos, smaller flies and careful drifts will outfish oversized attractors. Evening caddis fishing can be strong when the sun starts to set, especially around riffles, pocket edges, foam lines, and soft banks.

Weather near Clinton should follow the broader Missoula pattern: warm, sunny, and getting hotter into Friday, with a chance of spotty storms Saturday. Fish early, look for shade, and handle trout carefully.

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