Fishing Report by Blackfoot River Outfitters – BRO scores Rock Creek a 3/5 for fishing:
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for upper Rock Creek – from the confluence of the West and Middle Forks to the mouth of Stoney Creek starting July 11.
7 Day Outlook:
This week on Rock Creek will start hot and sunny with highs near 90°F on Monday, followed by a sharp cool-down and rain on Tuesday with highs only in the 60s. The rest of the week will bring a steady warm-up, with highs returning to the 80s and mostly sunny skies through the weekend.
Fishing will be best in the morning, get out early to beat the heat! Try fishing pockets, deeper runs/runs, and shaded water.
Best Techniques:
Dry fly fishing has been decent in the early mornings. Look for fish eating PMDs and Sallies in the eddy’s and big flats. Once you see fish rising, make the most of the bug window. Focus your fishing early in the day as water temps start to climb.
Yellow Sallies: Emma Stone, Goldie Hawn
PMD: Flash Cripple, On Point PMD
Steamers: Sculpzilla, Articulated Sparkle Yummy, Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex, Gongas, Dungeons and Envys.
Nymphs: TJ Hooker, Girdle Bugs, Jig Caddis Pupa, Duracell, Blowtorch, BH Sally, Psycho Prince, Spanish Bullet, Jig PT
*Call us for up to the minute updates at 406.542.7411 or if you are in the area stop in for all your Orvis gear and the right bugs.
USGS Water Charts
Specifics
Link to Water Flow Graph
Visibility
Great visibility.
Water temperature at mid-day
71
Water Condition
Clear
Best time of day to fish
Early morning
Best stretch
Anywhere you can publicly access the river. Options are limitless.
Best access point
Upper: Gilles Bridge Lower: Valley of the Moon
Fish Species
Cutthroat, rainbow, cutbow, brown, bull, some brook trout, and whitefish.
Fishing Season
Open year round, but catch and release for trout during winter.
Nearest airport
MSO (Missoula International Airport)
Recommended fly fishing leader
9′ 3X or 4X for single dry or nymph rigs. 7.5′ 3X for dry-dropper rigs. We only go down to 5X when fishing tiny dries to picky fish. No need for 6X here.
Recommended fly fishing tippet
3X-5X will cover almost all of your fishing applications. Don’t use less than 2X for streamers.
Best fly fishing rod
A 9′ 5WT is still going to be your do-it-all rod here, especially when nymphing or dry-dropper fishing, but we like to size down to a 8’6″ 4WT for fishing single dires. A 6WT with a floating line, or light sink tip is all you need for fishing streamers.
Best floating fly line
Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX
Best sinking fly line
A 3ips sink tip is all you need for Rock Creek, unless you are fishing during runoff- then go heavier. We frequently fish streamers on floating lines here.
About This Water
Yes, there are probably 20 Rock Creeks in Montana but this is THE Rock Creek. The Montana blue ribbon stream you’ve likely read about or dreamed of fly fishing. The Rock Creek boasting the state’s most likely chance of you catching five different wild trout species in one outing. Welcome to the wade anglers paradise.
