Conditions At-a-glance
good
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 – Try nymphs during the day, dries at night. A dry/dropper is good through the day for the best of both worlds.
TIPS OF THE WEEK –
1. Look for fish taking emergers in the mornings.
2. Try a dry/dropper in the heat of the day. If that isn’t working, fish deep and slow with nymphs and some weight.
3. The flies are hitting the water late in the evening. That’s when you’ll find the best dry fly action
7 DAY OUTLOOK –
The flows are pretty high but on the drop!
Good luck from the team at Blackfoot River Outfitters and Flint Creek Outdoors! FCO in Pburg is open this 7 days a week from 9a-5p. Be sure to stop in to meet Josh and for your Orvis gear and the best fly selection in the region.
Conditions
High, but clear and on the drop!
The Hatch
Caddis, PMD's, Midges, Ants, small terrestrials, small stoneflies
Fly Patterns
NYMPHS - Pat's Rubber Legs, brown, #6; Hare's Ear Nymph, #10-14; Pheasant Tail Nymph, #12-14; Pink San Juan Worm, #8-10; Montana Prince, tan, #12-16
DRIES - Stimulator, yellow, #14; PMD's, #12-16; Baetis, #16-20; Purple Haze, #10-18, Foam Ant, black, #12-18
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
691 cfs (at mouth)
Visibility
36
Water temperature at mid-day
66 deg.
Water Condition
Clear
Best time of day to fish
Morning and evening.
Best stretch
The upper is the best option.
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.
