Conditions At-a-glance
good
Our Report
Rock Creek Road is now open from the top to the bottom and continues to produce in spite of the cooler weather and snow! Fishing on the upper portions of the river should be good given that no one has fished there for over 2 months. Fishing on Rock Creek should get nothing but better for the foreseeable future.
BEST TECHNIQUES – Look for trico spinner fall on the water mid morning and hit ’em hard as the hatch will dwindle a little after noon. Later in the day try long droppers or short leash nymph rigs in the deep channels for brownies.
TIPS OF THE WEEK – Hopper and worm dropper have been producing bigger fish lately. Streamer fishing should be getting better and better throughout the month. Try fishing a bugger with a small dropper trailer…sometimes the fish are timid about the bigger fly but will readily grab the nymph.
7 DAY OUTLOOK – Cooler temps predicted starting Monday……and rain! Fall is definitely here now and the Creek should fish good once we have consistent weather and temps. Next week will be a good time to fish here.
Rock Creek road is OPEN!
Good luck from the team at Blackfoot River Outfitters and Flint Creek Outdoors! FCO in Pburg is going to be open throughout the winter this season. 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 but super slick for wading so take your wading staff, cleats and care.
The Hatch
trico mayflies, Nocturnal Golden stones, spruce moths, PMD's, few Caddis
Fly Patterns
DRIES -trico paras and spinners #18-20, Pmd parachutes #16, spruce moth patterns #14, golden stone attractors (chubbys, rogues, etc) #8
NYMPHS- Prince, San Juan worm, pheasant tails, copper johns - tungsten is a good call on all.
STREAMERS - olive or natural zonker type pattern #6, sparkle minnow #6, olive or black bead head buggers #8
Specifics
Water Flow
About 300cfs @ Clinton about average
Visibility
clear
Water temperature at mid-day
4 feet
Water Condition
Perfectly clear but slick
Best time of day to fish
Nymphs all day - Mid to late morning for the tricos and a few spruce moths.
Best stretch
The entire Creek is fishing well and the lower road is now open.
Best access point
Multiple points all along the river.
Fish species
Cutthroats, rainbows, cut-bows, browns, white fish, bull trout and some brooks.
Fishing season
Open year round, but catch and release for trout this time of year.
Nearest airport
Missoula International Airport
Recommended fly fishing leader
In the winter keep it short - 7'6" 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 9'4wt for nymphing but super fun spot to swing streamers with switch rods.
