Rock Creek is back in a low, clear, technical fall wade-fishing pattern. Recent flow context has the creek near Clinton around the mid-260s cfs range, down from the last report’s 286 cfs. There is still enough water to fish well, but stealth and careful presentations are important again. Fish are easier to locate at these flows, but they are also easier to spook.

Floating is no longer allowed on Rock Creek. Plan on wade fishing only. Work slowly and fish likely holding water before stepping into it. Good targets include pocket water, boulder edges, riffle drops, plunge pools, shaded banks, undercut edges, soft seams, and small current breaks behind heavier water. In clear water, smaller dries, lighter tippet, and careful drifts can make a big difference.

The weekend outlook is friendly for Rock Creek. Clinton is forecast to be mostly sunny and mild, with highs in the upper 60s Saturday and mid-70s Sunday after cool nights. Those cold mornings should keep water temperatures comfortable, but the better dry-fly window may be late morning into afternoon once the water warms slightly.

Rock Creek is fully in the fall transition now. Terrestrials are still worth fishing, especially beetles, ants, and hoppers along grassy banks, brushy edges, and shaded undercuts. BWOs should be on your radar during gray, cool, or damp weather. October Caddis are already being seen, and Mahogany Duns and Hecubas may become increasingly important in the coming weeks. Larger fall dries can be useful in broken pocket water, while smaller mayfly patterns will matter in calmer seams and soft edges.

Streamer fishing can be a good idea as we move deeper into October. If clouds return, rain adds a little stain, or fish are not looking up, small sculpins, Woolly Buggers, Thin Mints, and compact olive or black streamers can be effective through plunge pools, boulder pockets, and undercut banks.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12

• Ants #12-18

• Beetles #12-16

• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14

• Water Walkers #8-12

• BWO Dries #18-22

• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18

• X-Caddis #14-18

• October Caddis Adults #8-12

• Mahogany Duns #14-16

• Hecubas #10-12

• Purple Haze #14-20

• Parachute Adams #14-20

• Stimulators #8-14

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18

• Pheasant Tails #14-20

• Perdigons #14-20

• BWO Nymphs #18-22

• Caddis Pupa #12-18

• October Caddis Pupa #8-12

• Jigged Hare’s Ears #14-18

• Hot Spot Stoneflies

• Small jig nymphs #16-20

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows

• Mini Dungeons

• Sculpin patterns

• Sparring Partners

• Thin Mints

• Woolly Buggers

• Small olive streamers