Rock Creek is in excellent wade-fishing shape as flows continue to drop and clarity stays good. The creek is getting skinny for floating in places, with exposed rocks, tight channels, and technical navigation becoming more of a factor. Wading is now the better option for most anglers, and fish are settling into pocket water, riffle edges, banks, soft seams, and slower buckets.

Salmonflies are mostly finished, with only a few leftovers possible higher in the drainage. Golden Stones are now the main big-bug focus and should keep fish looking up along banks, boulder gardens, riffle edges, and pocket water. PMDs, Yellow Sallies, caddis, and Green Drakes are also active and should provide steady action as the day warms.

Dry-dropper rigs are still a great way to cover water, especially with a Golden Stone, Chubby, or Water Walker on top and a PMD, caddis, or small jig nymph underneath. Smaller dries can be excellent during PMD, Yellow Sally, Green Drake, and evening caddis windows. Nymphing will stay productive in faster pockets and deeper slots.

Weather near Clinton is cooler and unsettled through the weekend, with showers and thunderstorms possible Friday and Saturday, and cooler rain chances Sunday and Monday. Cloud cover could help the mayfly fishing, but heavier rain may briefly affect clarity. If the creek stays clear, Rock Creek should remain one of the strongest local wade-fishing options.

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