⚠️Rock Creek is wade fishing only as of July 1st⚠️

With July 4th weekend coming up, expect plenty of anglers, campers, hikers, and general recreation traffic along Rock Creek Road and at popular pullouts. Be patient, use established parking areas, and have a backup spot ready.

Rock Creek came up hard with the rain and is running much bigger than it was during the skinny late-June stretch. The creek is still fishable, but wading will be more challenging in places, and anglers should be careful around fast pocket water, slick rocks, and tight banks. Clarity may vary after the rain, but the added water should keep fish comfortable and spread out.

Salmonflies are done, and Golden Stones are past the peak but still worth fishing. The main focus is shifting toward PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis. Cloudy weather and the post-rain bump can make Green Drakes and PMDs more important, while evening caddis should remain a good option once the water settles.

Focus on soft banks, boulder edges, riffle drops, inside bends, pocket water, and slower seams behind heavier current. Dry-dropper rigs are still useful, but nymphing may be more consistent until the creek drops and clears again. Streamers are also worth fishing if the water has a little color.

Weather near Clinton looks warm overall, with a chance of thundershowers Friday, mostly sunny weather for July 4th weekend, and another spotty storm chance early next week. If Rock Creek drops back and clarity improves, fishing should rebound quickly.

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