Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

Creek is back on the way up and is floatable as of right now. The fishing has remained good with TJ hookers, purple chubbies, and streamers. No need to get out early as the water is still pretty cool so mid morning is the best time of day to get out there. Wading is getting a little difficult with the current level of the creek.

Here are a few tips for fly fishing Rock Creek:

1. Dry Droppers with a chubby and worm has been the most effective method
2. Fish the slow inside bends and deeper pools
3. Fish where you can't see the bottom

Here are a few fly suggestions:

1. Pearl Jam, 14-16

2. Spanish Bullet, black 14-16

3. Purple chubby 10-14 

4. Kreelex Minnow size 6, in copper/gold

5. TJ Hooker size 10-12, in coffee/black

6. Pheasant Tail Nymph size 12-20

Local Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

Conditions

The creek jumped quite a bit the last couple days, but the cooler weather has slowed things down and it’s starting to level out. water’s a little off color, but the fishing’s still been solid.

The Hatch

Skwala and march browns

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Link to Water Flow Graph

http://on.doi.gov/1omaqKB"

Visibility

60"+

Water temperature at mid-day

50

Water Condition

A little off color with the bump

Best time of day to fish

Late morning and early afternoon

Best stretch

Anywhere you can publicly access the river. Options are limitless.

Best access point

Upper: Gilles Bridge Lower: Valley of the Moon

Fish Species

Cutthroat, rainbow, cutbow, brown, bull, some brook trout, and whitefish.

Fishing Season

Open year round, but catch and release for trout during winter.

Nearest airport

MSO (Missoula International Airport)

Recommended fly fishing leader

9' 3X or 4X for single dry or nymph rigs. 7.5' 3X for dry-dropper rigs. We only go down to 5X when fishing tiny dries to picky fish. No need for 6X here.

Recommended fly fishing tippet

3X-5X will cover almost all of your fishing applications. Don't use less than 2X for streamers.

Best fly fishing rod

A 9' 5WT is still going to be your do-it-all rod here, especially when nymphing or dry-dropper fishing, but we like to size down to a 8'6" 4WT for fishing single dires. A 6WT with a floating line, or light sink tip is all you need for fishing streamers.

Best floating fly line

Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX

Best sinking fly line

A 3ips sink tip is all you need for Rock Creek, unless you are fishing during runoff- then go heavier. We frequently fish streamers on floating lines here.

About This Water

Yes, there are probably 20 Rock Creeks in Montana but this is THE Rock Creek.  The Montana blue ribbon stream you’ve likely read about or dreamed of fly fishing. The Rock Creek boasting the state’s most likely chance of you catching five different wild trout species in one outing.  Welcome to the wade anglers paradise.