Rock Creek is in a good wade-fishing range, with the Clinton gauge around 580 cfs. That is down from the last report and very manageable for anglers on foot. Water temperatures are cooler than the bigger valley rivers, which makes Rock Creek a good option during this hot stretch, but anglers should still fish carefully and avoid overplaying fish in the afternoon heat.

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, and slower seams behind heavier current. Fish are settling into summer lies, and careful approach matters more as flows drop and the water clears.

Golden Stones are still useful as a searching dry, but PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, caddis, nocturnal stones, and terrestrials are now the main daily bugs. PMD spinner dry-fly action can be good in the morning on soft edges, tailouts, slicks, and slower pockets. When fish are feeding on spinners, smaller dries and clean drifts matter more than heavy attractor rigs.

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 good for covering water, but be ready to switch to single smaller dries when fish start rising.

Weather near Clinton is hot, with a heavy thunderstorm chance today, another warm day Saturday, and continued warm conditions into next week. Storms could briefly affect clarity, but otherwise Rock Creek should remain a strong wade-fishing option. Fish early and late, and look for shade during the heat of the day.

What's Working

Dry Flies

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

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