Conditions At-a-glance
ok
Our Report

7 DAY OUTLOOK –
Rock Creek is looking great for the winter.
TIPS OF THE WEEK –
1. The water is very cold. Fish deep and slow.
2. We’ve been informed that the access at Gilles Bridge is back to normal.
3. Try slowly swinging streamer for some fun takes!
BEST TECHNIQUES – Nymphing
Good luck and don’t forget to stop in our Philipsburg shop Flint Creek Outdoors and our NEW JACKALOPE JOE’S espresso bar! We’re open 7:30-5 seven days a week. Be sure to stop in to talk to Josh, grab a coffee, some Orvis gear, and flies from the the best fly selection in the region.
Conditions
Great for this time of year - limited ice flow and shelf ice.
Fly Patterns
NYMPHS - Pat's Rubber Legs, brown, #6-#10; Pheasant Tail Nymph, #14-18; Pink or hot bead red San Juan Worm #8-10; Montana Prince tan #12-16, double bead stone peacock or natural #8
DRIES - Griffiths gnat #18-20, purple haze #18-20
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
Guage is iced.
Visibility
36"
Water temperature at mid-day
33 deg.
Water Condition
Clear
Best time of day to fish
Afternoons
Best stretch
The entire creek is fishing well.
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.