Rock Creek is around 516 cfs near Clinton, down from the last report and in a good wade-fishing range. Water temperatures are cooler than the bigger valley rivers, making Rock Creek one of the better options during this hot spell. Wading is very approachable in many spots, but slick rocks, fast pockets, and tight crossings still deserve caution.

No floating is allowed on Rock Creek. Plan on wade fishing only. Focus on pocket water, boulder edges, riffle drops, soft banks, inside bends, shaded slots, undercut edges, and slower seams behind heavier current. As the creek drops, fish become easier to locate but also easier to spook, so careful approaches and clean drifts matter.

The prolific late spring and early summer hatch window is done, and Rock Creek is moving into mid-to-late summer fishing. Terrestrials are becoming more important, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks and brushy edges. Late-stage PMD spinners, Tricos, caddis, Yellow Sallies, and the last of the drakes are the main bugs now. Golden Stones may still work as a general searching dry, but smaller dries will often be the better match when fish are selective.

PMD spinner dry-fly action can be good 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, smaller flies and careful drifts will outfish big attractors.

Evening caddis fishing should be strong when the sun starts to set. Look for activity around riffles, pocket edges, soft banks, and foam lines. Dry-droppers are still useful for covering water, but be ready to switch to single smaller dries once fish start rising. Weather near Clinton is hot this week, with highs in the 90s to near 100 and afternoon thunderstorm chances. Fish early and late, and look for shade during the heat.

What's Working

Dry Flies

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

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Perdigons #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-18
• Caddis Pupa #12-16
• Jigged Hare's Ears #14-16
• Hot Spot Stoneflies
• Small jig nymphs #14-18

Streamers

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