Rock Creek received one of the more noticeable bumps from the Labor Day weekend rain. Reports showed the creek rising from around 314 cfs before the storm to roughly 508 cfs afterward. The latest flow I found had Rock Creek near Clinton around 372 cfs on September 10 and receding. That is still a good improvement from the lowest late-August flows and should make the creek feel healthier, cooler, and more forgiving.

Floating is no longer allowed on Rock Creek. Plan on wade fishing only. The creek is still clear enough that stealth matters, but the extra water helps fish feel less exposed. Focus on pocket water, boulder edges, riffle drops, plunge pools, shaded banks, undercut edges, soft seams, and little current breaks behind heavier water. Work each piece of holding water carefully before stepping through it.

Rock Creek is shifting from late summer toward early fall. Terrestrials are still a good bet, especially beetles, ants, and hoppers along grassy banks, brush, and shaded undercuts. With cooler weather and rain in the picture, anglers should start watching closely for BWOs. October Caddis, Mahogany Duns, and Hecubas may become more important in the coming weeks, and having those boxes ready is a good idea. Caddis can still matter late in the day, especially around riffles, pocket edges, foam lines, and soft banks.

The weather should help Rock Creek. Clinton is forecast to stay cool this weekend, with highs in the upper 50s to upper 60s and rain likely Sunday. Cooler nights and cloud cover should keep water temperatures in better shape and may make fish more willing to rise outside the earliest morning window.

Streamer fishing may be a strong option as fall approaches. If the creek has a little color or the sky stays dark, try small sculpins, Woolly Buggers, Thin Mints, and compact olive or black streamers 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
• Small black streamers