Conditions At-a-glance
ok
Our Report
Rock Creek is perhaps the best option in the Clark Fork drainage for consistent winter and early spring angling. During this time of year, trout are more and more concentrated in the deeper runs and out of the long shallows they inhabit throughout the summer and fall. Nymphing and swinging are the name of the game, but do not rule out rising fish during midge hatches on warmer days, especially when the sun is on the water.
BEST TECHNIQUES – Nymphing and streamers. If you absolutely have to, try prospecting with Skwala and March Brown dries. Also, embrace the worm!
TIPS OF THE WEEK –
Prospect: Don’t be afraid to tie on a skwala or big march brown dry and prospect the runs, pools, and tail-outs.
7 DAY OUTLOOK –
Runoff is upon us. We expect flows to continue trending up, with limited topwater action until the Salmonflies come along.
Good luck from the team at Blackfoot River Outfitters and Flint Creek Outdoors! FCO in Pburg is open this spring Wed-Sun. Be sure to stop in to meet Josh and for your Orvis gear and the best fly selection in the region.
Conditions
Low and clear on the upper to stained or moderately turbid at the mouth. Slippery rocks make wading difficult. Be sure to have studs in your boots.
The Hatch
Midges, Skwalas, March Browns,
Fly Patterns
DRIES - Skwala #8-10, Sipper midge #18-20; Black parachutes #18-20; Griffiths Gnat #18-20, Purple Haze #16-20
NYMPHS- BH Hare's Ear, Natural, #10-14; TH Zebra Midge #16, 18 in red or black; Pat's Rubber Legs #6, 8 in Brown or Olive.
STREAMERS - Sparkle Minnow #6 in Olive; Zonkers #6, 8 in Natural, Olive, or Yellow; Kreelex Fly #6 in Copper/Gold, Gold/Silver, or Purple/Silver.
Specifics
Water Flow
378 (at mouth)
Visibility
24"-42"
Water temperature at mid-day
44*
Water Condition
Low and clear on the upper to stained or moderately turbid at the mouth
Best time of day to fish
Late morning to late afternoon.
Best stretch
The entire Creek is fishing well; cannot go wrong no matter where you stop to fish.
Best access point
Upper: Gilles Bridge
Lower: Valley of the Moon
Fish species
Cutthroats, rainbows, cut-bows, browns, whitefish, bull trout and some brooks.
Fishing season
Open year round, but catch and release for trout during winter.
Nearest airport
Missoula International Airport
Recommended fly fishing leader
9' 3x
Recommended fly fishing tippet
3x and 4x top to bottom bug respectively unless you are swinging streamers then bump up to 2x
Best fly fishing rod
Crisp 9' 5wt for nymphing but super fun spot to swing streamers with switch rods.
