Conditions At-a-glance
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Our Report
7 DAY OUTLOOK –
Rock Creek is looking great for the fall.
TIPS OF THE WEEK –
1. You’ll find fish spread all over the river. Don’t overlook the fast shallow water.
2. They’re looking up. Try a hopper or ant.
3. Look out for moose.
BEST TECHNIQUES – Dries, dries with a short-depth dropper, 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.
The Hatch
Tricos, yellow sallies, hoppers, ants, midges, spruce moths
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 - Goldie Hawn sally #16, griffiths gnat #18-20, hoppers #10-12, elk hair caddis #16-18, adams or 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
331 cfs near Clinton
Visibility
36"
Water temperature at mid-day
64 deg.
Water Condition
Clear
Best time of day to fish
Early morning and afternoon through evening
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.
