Rock Creek is fishing very well and remains one of western Montana's premier summer trout streams. Flows have settled into excellent shape, the water is clear, and trout are feeding consistently throughout the day. The best action continues to be during the cooler morning hours, with another strong feeding window developing in the evening.
Dry fly fishing has been excellent. Golden Stones are still producing quality fish, especially through the canyon sections and along grassy banks. PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis are hatching daily, and trout are looking up whenever insects are on the water. Terrestrial fishing is also beginning to take off, with hoppers, ants, and beetles becoming increasingly important as summer progresses.
A dry-dropper setup is one of the most productive ways to fish Rock Creek right now. Suspend a small Perdigon, Jig Hare's Ear, or Pheasant Tail beneath a Chubby Chernobyl or other large foam attractor and target pocket water, riffles, boulders, and cutbanks. Fish are well distributed throughout the creek, and covering plenty of water is often the key to success.
If surface activity slows during the afternoon, switch to a nymph rig and fish the deeper pools and faster runs. Small mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs, and attractor patterns continue to produce consistent results. Streamers can also move larger brown trout during the first and last few hours of daylight.
Recommended Dry Flies
- Chubby Chernobyl
- Water Walker
- Golden Stone
- PMD Sparkle Dun
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Yellow Sally
- Purple Haze
- Morrish Hopper
- Flying Ant
- Beetle Patterns
Recommended Nymphs
- Jig Perdigon
- Jig Pheasant Tail
- Jig Hare's Ear
- Pat's Rubber Legs
- Frenchie
- Lightning Bug
Water temperatures are warming during the afternoon, so we recommend fishing early whenever possible and minimizing the amount of time trout spend out of the water before release.
Rock Creek is offering outstanding summer fishing and is a great choice for anglers looking for beautiful scenery, healthy wild trout, and consistent dry fly action. Whether you're wading the upper reaches or floating the lower sections, conditions are ideal for a memorable day on the water.
Stop by Freestone Fly Shop in Hamilton for the latest fishing reports, recommended fly selections, and everything you'll need for a successful day on Rock Creek.
