Hey it's High! But relativley clear. Rock Creek is sitting at about 1500 CFS and continuing to drop. The cold snap has postponed any chnace of big bugs coming off for the next week or so. But we are continually seeing the little bugs come off in droves, Especially in the evening when the sun is settling and the wind dies down. BWO's, March browns, Caddis, maybe the occasional drake, bu still none of those big stoneflies. We want em! Send out the big bugs! Come on! With flows still relativley high, the creek can be somewhat troublesome to wade. Be careful and watch your step up there. Floating is still open, and the upper sections are definitely fishing better and have better clarity. If you are floating, be extra careful and spot check anything you might feel a little uncomfortable on.

Bugs are starting to show in a meaningful way. I’ve been seeing BWO’s pretty consistently, along with some March Browns and the occasional Caddis starting to mix in. A few caddis are starting to flutter around too, which is always a welcome sign. It’s not exactly a dry fly bonanza yet, but if you’re paying attention—especially in the afternoons when things warm up—you’ll catch fish slipping into those softer seams and tailouts to pick off bugs. You’ve got to be patient and cover water, but there are definitely shots. X-Cadis, Parachutes, Purple Haze, Beetles, Ants, Last chance Cripple, and Tilt Wing BWO's are all good options when you come up on a rising fish.

That said, nymphing is still the bread and butter right now. With the extra water and a bit of color, getting down is everything. I’ve been running heavier rigs—double bead stones, Pat’s, TJ Hookers—with a smaller dropper like a perdigon or even a worm when things feel a little off. Most of the eats are coming from deeper runs and pocket water where fish can sit comfortably and let the food come to them.

And don’t sleep on streamers. With this bit of color in the water, it’s a great time to move some fish. I’ve had luck fishing bigger stuff—sculpin patterns, Mini Dungeons, even a good old bugger—slow and tight to structure. Think undercut banks, root wads, and those darker, deeper slots. If the sun pops out, a little flash in the pattern doesn’t hurt either.