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Rock Creek Fishing Report

Rock Creek Fishing Report

Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

With the cooler weather we have been having there is no reason to get out there early. If you do, look for streamers and nymphs to be the way to go. Swinging soft hackles has been very productive. In the evenings, the October caddis have out as well.

Hare are a few tips for fly fishing Rock Creek:

1. A dry dropper has been very effective. 
2. Fish the slow inside bends and deeper pools
3. Lots of March browns out there!

Here are a few fly suggestions:

1. Brindle Chute, 14

2. Purple Haze size 14-18

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

7. Zebra midge size 16

Flows and looking ahead:

Rock Creek took a pretty hard bump but the colder weather should have it level out and maybe even drop a little.

Local Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

Conditions

Conditions are a little tough, but should improve over the next few days.

The Hatch

Hoppers and Mahoganies. Tricos. October Caddis.

Use these flies! You can even order online and pick up in-store

Dries

Nymphs

Streamers
Hot Spot Para-Wulff Hot Spot Para-Wulff
+3
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
A slim-bodied version, featuring a hot spot, of a few top notch parachute patterns. We love to fish these when a simmer profile is necessary to get the attention of those big picky sippers.
The Plan B The Plan B
+9
+8
+7
+6
+5
+4
$3.50
$3.50
A fly designed specifically for the rivers around Missoula. The Plan B in Olive is a phenomenal choice for anglers wanting Skwala dry eats. It sits extremely low to the water making it float very r...
Chubby Chernobyl Chubby Chernobyl
+12
+11
+10
+9
+8
+7
$3.50
$3.50
The Chubby Chernobyl is one of the most versatile and effective foam flies on the market. Changing the size or color of this pattern can help you imitate a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial i...
On Point Para Wulff On Point Para Wulff
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
This extended body mayfly dry is a must have for matching any mayfly hatch. When the trusty Parachute Adams just isn't getting it done, we switch to this fly right here. It has become a secret weap...
Stranahan's Brindle Chute
$2.95
$2.95
The Brindle Chute, from legendary Bitterroot angler and fly tyer Chuck Stranahan, was developed to match the mayfly hatches on our local waters. The buoyancy and bug like characteristics make it ha...
Henry's Fork Foam Stone Henry's Fork Foam Stone
+2
+1
$3.50
$3.50
This variation of a Chubby Chernobyl is one of Mike’s “deadly dozen.” Designed to fool the finicky trout of the Henry’s Fork, this fly will get them anywhere stoneflies are present. This pattern is...
Carlson's Purple Haze
$2.95
$2.95
"'Scuse me while I cast this dry!"... The most popular mayfly pattern in western Montana, hands down. It's capable of matching the hatch, prospecting, and being an all around confidence fly when it...
Purple Haze Cripple
$2.95
$2.95
A cripple version of the famous Purple Haze pattern. In our experience this bug works really well on Stillwater and for those picky trout during thick mayfly hatches.
Film Critic Film Critic
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
Hands down one of the best mayfly emergers in the game, the Film Critic shines on technical waters, especially spring creeks. It represents a hatching mayfly at its most vulnerable stage, giving ...
Elk Hair Caddis Elk Hair Caddis
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
This pattern is another of those you should not be without. Caddis are a staple food for trout and are available many months per year. This can be fished many different ways to elicit a strike. Dea...
TJ Hooker TJ Hooker
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
Whether the mottled tan or dark brown is better remains an ongoing guide debate.  Both work exceptionally well.  Our guess is trout mistake these for stonefly nymphs but they also resemble small cr...
Tungsten Jig Girdle Bug Tungsten Jig Girdle Bug
+4
+3
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
Whether the mottled tan or dark brown is better remains an ongoing guide debate.  Both work exceptionally well.  Our guess is trout mistake these for Skwalla nymphs but they also resemble small cra...
Spanish Bullet Spanish Bullet
+8
+7
+6
+5
+4
+3
$2.95
$2.95
One of our guides favorite nymph patterns. The Spanish Bullet is the fly to match all your tiny Stonefly and Mayfly needs. Jigged with a tungsten bead.
Hot Bead Power Worm Hot Bead Power Worm
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
Hot-bead worms are a mainstay in our rivers all year long but especially in late winter and early spring. For reasons unknown to us the hot bead and red color is always better in colder water.  Fis...
Jig Napoleon Jig Napoleon
+4
+3
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
As a highly versatile and efficient fly, the Jig Napoleon boasts a quill body and Its tungsten material adds extra weight for getting down quickly. These quill body perdigons are lethal on the wate...
Jig Perdigon Jig Perdigon
+6
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
Designed for optimal fly fishing performance, the Jig Perdigon features a tungsten bead for dense weight that ensures your flies get down quick in the water column. The eye-catching design and drop...
Sili Leg Stone Sili Leg Stone
+3
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
The Trusted Classic Stonefly Nymph. This pattern is excellent for imitating  Stoneflies in their aquatic form. Before the hatch ramps up on the surface, Trout are sure to be feeding below. To dial ...
Tungsten Jig Pheasant Tail Tungsten Jig Pheasant Tail
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
Another classic pattern that imitates Mayfly nymphs perfectly. This fly has been around for a long time and it's not going anywhere. This version is jigged with a tungsten bead and flash back to ma...
Jig Frenchie Jig Frenchie
+3
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
There is something about the Frenchie that just catches more fish than its mayfly nymph competitors. A simple fly that produces outstanding results. Try the Yellow version in #16 for PMDs
Blowtorch
$2.95
$2.95
"​Tag nymphs are certainly not new to fly fishing. However, in my opinion, they are highly underused and under-appreciated in the USA.​​I was first introduced to them in Tasmania back in 2007. Ou...
Coffey's Conehead Sparkle Minnow Coffey's Conehead Sparkle Minnow
+4
+3
+2
+1
$4.95
$4.95
We were fishing streamers long before fishing streamers was cool but we have to admit, Coffey’s sparkle minnow literally changed the game. There was a time when spring streamer action was limited t...
Beadhead Woolly Bugger Beadhead Woolly Bugger
+4
+3
+2
+1
$2.95
$2.95
Same as the Woolly Bugger but with a beadhead for added weight. Good for lakes and rivers everywhere, from winter to summer. Our undying love of the woolly bugger isn't going anywhere, this is on...
Galloup's Mini Peanut Envy Galloup's Mini Peanut Envy
+6
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1
$6.95
$6.95
A Peanut Envy tied on smaller hooks but without losing any of the movement that this streamer is known for.
Thin Mint Bugger TB
$3.95
$3.95
If you've ever eaten a thin mint cookie, you know how good they are and how you can't just eat one. The Thin Mint Bugger comes with a tungsten bead and a tri colored marabou tail. Whether you swing...
Lil' Kim
$4.95
$4.95
It's the L-I-L to the K-I-M, baby. Cast and strip, or swing with a trout spey set up. No streamer box would be complete without the Lil' Kim. Get it in copper to keep things natural, silver for wat...
Kreelex Kreelex
+2
+1
$4.95
$4.95
Essentially a full flash Clouser Minnow, the Kreelex has proven its worth as a fish catching machine wherever predators eat small baitfish.  The slim profile and large dumbbell eyes allow it to sin...
Galloup's Peanut Envy Galloup's Peanut Envy
+6
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1
$6.95
$6.95
A lighter version of the Circus Peanut with more movement. A versatile streamer that consistently works well on various styles of retrieves.

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Link to Water Flow Graph

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

Visibility

24"

Water temperature at mid-day

46F

Water Condition

Stained

Best time of day to fish

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.