Rock Creek came up sharply with the weekend rain, moving from skinny summer flows back into a stronger, more pushy level. The creek is still fishable, but anglers should expect more current, tougher wading in places, and slightly softer clarity until it settles. The bump may actually help floating in the short term, but it also means anglers should be careful around fast pocket water, slick rocks, and tight banks.

Salmonflies are mostly finished on Rock Creek, and Golden Stones are slowing compared to the peak. The main focus is shifting toward mayflies and smaller summer bugs. PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis should be the most important hatches, especially with the cooler, cloudier weather. Cloudy afternoons could produce some of the better Green Drake and PMD activity.

The best water will be riffle drops, pocket water, boulder edges, soft banks, inside bends, and slower seams behind heavier current. Dry-dropper rigs are still effective, but anglers should also be ready to fish smaller dries when fish are rising. Nymphing through pocket water and deeper slots will be steady while flows remain bumped.

Streamers are worth fishing after the rain, especially if the creek has a little color. Smaller sculpin patterns, Sparkle Minnows, Thin Mints, and olive or black streamers can move fish through buckets and bankside structure.

Weather near Clinton looks unsettled through Friday with showers and thunderstorm chances, then warmer and sunnier weather over the weekend. If Rock Creek drops back and clarity improves, fishing should be very good. Until then, focus on safe wading, soft edges, pocket water, and the mayfly windows that come with the cooler weather.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Golden Stones #6-10
• Chubby Chernobyls #6-12
• Water Walkers #6-10
• PMDs #14-18
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Green Drakes #10-12
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
• X-Caddis #14-16
• Purple Haze #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-18
• Stimulators #8-14

Nymphs

• Pat's Rubber Legs #6-8
• TJ Hooker #6-8
• Hot Spot Stoneflies
• Frenchies #14-16
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Jigged Hare's Ears
• Caddis Pupa #12-16
• Perdigons #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-18
• Green Drake Nymphs #10-12

Streamers

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