Hoot Owl Restrictions:
Rock Creek is now under Hoot Owl regulations from the confluence of the West and Middle Forks down to the mouth of Stony Creek. Fishing in this section is only prohibitted from midnight until 2:00 p.m. Please handle fish with care—keep them wet and release quickly to reduce stress during these warm conditions.

Dry Fly Fishing:
Morning dry fly action has been lights-out, with fish eagerly eating big foam patterns like the Donkey Kong hopper, Plan B, and Chubby Chernobyl. When caddis and Spruce Moths start coming off downsizing to more subtle bugs like the Cornfed Caddis, Widow Maker Spruce, or Elk Hair Caddis has been the key to consistent eats.

Nymphing:
Nymphing continues to be productive in the early hours, especially before the sun hits the water. Once temps start climbing, fish tend to slide into deeper, slower holding water. That’s a good time to give the nymph rod a rest and stick to dry flies—less pressure on resting fish goes a long way during the heat of summer.

Streamer Fishing:
With some cloud cover in the forecast, streamer fishing should pick up. Smaller, natural-colored patterns like the Mini-Dungeon, Peanut Envy, and Rusty Trombone have been solid producers, especially when fished tight to cover or through soft edges.

A Final Reminder:
We all play a role in keeping our rivers healthy. Keep a thermometer on hand, handle fish with care, and be ready to step away when the water gets too warm.