Rock Creek is low, clear, and in a true late-summer wade-fishing pattern. The Clinton gauge is around 260 cfs, slightly up from the last report’s 250 cfs reading, but still very low and technical. No floating is allowed on Rock Creek. Plan on wade fishing only. No more floating on Rock Creek.

The cooler weather coming this week should help Rock Creek. Expect clouds, showers, and highs mostly in the 60s to low 70s around the Clinton area, with cooler nights that should help morning water temperatures. Even so, low flows mean trout are spooky and presentation matters. Move slowly, stay low, and fish good water before stepping into it.

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 through low late-summer flows, trout become easier to locate but much easier to spook. Smaller dries, longer leaders, lighter tippet, and clean drifts will usually beat oversized attractor rigs in the clearer water.

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 still important, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks, brushy edges, and undercut banks. Late-stage PMD spinners, Tricos, and caddis are the main aquatic bugs now. PMD spinner and Trico action can be good early in the morning on soft edges, tailouts, slicks, and slower pockets.

Evening caddis fishing can be strong when the sun starts to set, especially around riffles, pocket edges, foam lines, and soft banks. With cooler, cloudier weather in the forecast, Rock Creek may fish more comfortably through the day, and small streamers could be worth a look during darker weather or light rain.

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
• Small attractors #12-16

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