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 – Dries, nymphs, san juan worms. Streamers later in the afternoon.
TIPS OF THE WEEK –
1. Get your dry fly boxes ready! Fish have been taking dries and droppers.
2. Be ready for high and or off-color water.
3. If you know someone with a boat, float season is upon us.
7 DAY OUTLOOK –
Rock Creek levels are going to be unpredictable, but, it rarely never fishes. Fish will start taking dries more and more every day. Skwalas, march browns, and caddis are all on the menu. Also, embrace the worm! Good luck from Flint Creek Outdoors. We’re open 7:30-5 Thursday – Monday. Be sure to stop in to talk to Josh, grab a coffee and some Orvis gear, and flies from the the best fly selection in the region.
Conditions
Levels are unpredictable through runoff, however, Rock Creek rarely never fishes.
The Hatch
Dries, nymphs, san juan worms. Streamers later in the afternoon.
Fly Patterns
NYMPHS - Pat's Rubber Legs, brown, #6; Hare's Ear Nymph, #10-14; Pheasant Tail Nymph, #14-18; Pink San Juan Worm, #8-10; Montana Prince, tan, #12-16
DRIES - BWO's, #16-20; Purple Haze, #10-18
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
704 CFS at the mouth.
Visibility
32
Water temperature at mid-day
44 deg.
Water Condition
Moderately Turbid
Best time of day to fish
Late morning through late afternoon
Best stretch
Upper
Best access point
Upper: Gilles Bridge
Lower: Valley of the Moon
Fish species
Cutthroat, rainbow, cutt-bow, brown, bull, some brook trout, and whitefish.
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.
