Rock Creek is still low and clear, but the bump from the Labor Day weekend rain helped. Recent reports put the creek near Clinton around 303 cfs, up from the previous 260 cfs reading. That is still a wade-fishing level, and the creek remains technical, but the added water and cooler nights should make fish a little less stressed and a little more willing to feed during cloudy windows.

Floating is no longer allowed on Rock Creek. Plan on wade fishing only. No more floating on Rock Creek. The best water will be pocket water, boulder edges, riffle drops, shaded banks, undercut edges, soft seams, plunge pools, and small current breaks behind heavier water. Move slowly, stay low, and fish likely holding water before stepping into it. At these flows, trout are easy to spook, but they are also easier to locate.

The late spring and early summer hatch window is finished, and Rock Creek is shifting toward fall. There is still a good chance to find fish on terrestrials, especially beetles, ants, and hoppers along grassy banks, brushy edges, and shaded undercuts. Late-stage PMD spinners and caddis are still worth carrying, especially early and late. With cooler, wetter weather returning, anglers should start watching for BWOs. October Caddis, Mahogany Duns, and Hecubas may also become more important in the weeks ahead.

The upcoming weather should help Rock Creek. Clinton is forecast for cool, unsettled conditions with highs mostly in the 50s and 60s this weekend and rain chances in the mix. Cooler nights should keep morning water temperatures in better shape, and cloud cover may make fish more willing to rise outside the earliest window.

Streamer fishing could be a good call as we slide toward fall, especially if rain adds a little color or the sky stays dark. Small sculpins, Woolly Buggers, Thin Mints, and compact olive or black streamers are good choices around 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
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• 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

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Perdigons #14-20
• Pheasant Tails #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