Salmon Flies spotted on the lower sections of Rock Creek

It's time! The first spotting of salmon bugs have been reported on the first 5 miles of the Creek! In the next 2-3 days fish will start keying in on the bugs and big dry fly fishing will be fully underway. It is still running just a little higher than ideal fishing flows, but fish are still stacked up in skinny holdinng water, cut banks, outsides of seems, and most intuitive spots. For other hatches we are seeing PMD's, BWO's, Caddis, and the occasional early action Golden Stone. 

Bugs are starting to show in a meaningful way. PMD’s and BWO’s have been showing pretty consistently, with Caddis and midges still mixed in as well. A few caddis are starting to flutter around, which is always a welcome sign. It’s not exactly a dry fly bonanza yet, but anglers paying attention—especially in the afternoons when things warm up—should find fish sliding into softer seams and tailouts to pick off bugs. It takes patience and a willingness to cover water, but there are definitely shots. X-Caddis, Parachutes, Purple Haze, Beetles, Ants, Last Chance Cripples, Tilt Wing BWO’s, PMD patterns, and small midge dries are all good options when rising fish show themselves.

That said, nymphing is still a very effiecient way to catch fish right now. With the extra water and a bit of color, getting down is everything. What seems to be working is running heavier rigs—double bead stones, Pat’s, TJ Hookers—with a smaller dropper like a Spanish bullet, lightbright perdigon, caddis pupa, jig PT, Frenchie, Yellow Spot, Tungestin Jig assasin, and even a worm! 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.

Remember! Floating is open on rock creek. It is up to the rower to stay heads up and look out for waders but if you are wading, keep your head on a swivel and glance upriver for an oncoming raft.