Rock Creek Fishing Report

Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

Tip of the Week
Flows have been on the rise for the past 4 days. The overall water volume is high from this early runoff but the visibility is decent. Wade with caution and stick to the softer edges where the fish are sheltering from the heavy current.


7-Day Outlook
Rock Creek will see a warming trend this weekend, with highs starting in the 40s and reaching the mid-to-upper 50s by Monday. Expect mostly sunny skies and calm canyon winds for the first half of the week before a cooling trend arrives on Wednesday, bringing a solid chance of rain and snow showers.


Best Techniques
We are seeing some dry fly opportunities right now with March Browns, Skwalas, and BWOs all making appearances depending on the day. Start your mornings focused subsurface, then transition to a dry-dropper rig in the afternoon when water temperatures peak. Streamer fishing should continue to improve.

Local Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

The Hatch

Skwalas, BWOs, March Browns, Midges

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Link to Water Flow Graph

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

Visibility

2-3ft

Water temperature at mid-day

48F

Water Condition

High and off color

Best time of day to fish

The warmest part of the day

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.