Rock Creek Fishing Report
Our Rock Creek river fishing report comes to you straight from the river. We are on Rock Creek fly fishing daily during the season and know what’s happening. Check back often for up-to-date Rock Creek fishing reports.
QUALITY RATING
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October 3, 2026
CURRENT REPORT
Fall is here on Rock Creek. Cooler nightime temps have moved the best fishing window from really early, to mid-morning and on. We're right in between our peak terrestrial fishing and our amazing fall fishing. With a foot in each season, having a diverse selection of flies is key to finding success on Rock Creek.
Terrestrial fishing has still been strong, as we enjoy warm sunny weather in October. Tricos still a part of the picture, happening now around noon with some psuedos and BWOs in the mix. While Rock Creek isn't home to much "trico water" (big, glassy, slow flats) you can still find fish feeding on on-top and subsurface. Still fooling them on mahoganies and October caddis.
Be prepared to fish up Rock Creek two ways: dry-dropper fishing and dry dropper fishing with smaller attractors.
Dry-dropper fishing has been the most consistent way to fish Rock Creek. Up top, reach for a Chubby Chernobyl, Water Walker, Henneberry Hopper or Juicy Hopper in sizes #10-14.
Subsurface, reach for Rubberlegs, Twenty Incher, TJ, Jig PTs, Hares Ears, Shuck-its, Duracells, purple perdigons and Blow Torches. Small BWO nymphs like the Jig BWO and PLT nymph picking up fish keyed in on mayfly nymphs.
Plan Bs, Stimulators, PMXs, Purple Hazes or Brindlechutes in sizes #12-16 have been effective, too. Ants and beetles like the CFO Ant, Splitsville Beetles and Glitter Ant catching a lot of picky fish. Expect to see mayflies on the rainy, overcast days. Focus on hoppers and other terrestrial patterns on the warm, dry days. The sunny, warm weather has made the dry fly fishing difficult. Nymphing will be most productive during the heat of the day.
Streamer fishing has been great as we get into October. Big Horn Buggers, Mini Dungeons, Lil Kims and Sparkle Minnows are some of our favorites on Rock Creek this time of year. Reach for the small, flashy streamers on the sunny days. They'll be looking for them!
Looking Forward
Sunny, warm days in the forecast may make the dry fly fishing difficult. Expect great streamer fishing and plenty of hatches as we near the end of the month.
FEATURED FLIES
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ROCK CREEK Flows & Conditions
Know before you go! Understand current Rock Creek flows, temperature, and conditions before hitting the water.
Rock Creek Flows @ Clinton, MT
MF Rock Creek Flows @ Philipsburg, MT
ROCK CREEK WEATHER FORECAST
See the Rock Creek fishing report weather forecast for the next 7-days. For more information on the forecast or detailed weather data, please visit NOAA Weather Data – Philipsburg, Montana.
