Water temps on Rock Creek have finally cooled off, and the fishing has picked up noticeably. With fall settling in, trout are more active and willing to move for a well-presented fly. Swinging soft hackles through riffles has been producing steady action, and streamer fishing is starting to heat up with fish looking for bigger meals ahead of winter. Keep an eye out for October Caddis — both nymphs and adults are in play — and fishing a big orange stimulator or caddis pattern tight to the banks can draw some explosive strikes. Nymphing with smaller attractor patterns and mayfly imitations remains a consistent option throughout the day, but the best windows have been mornings and evenings.
Here are a few tips for fly fishing Rock Creek:
1. Dry droppers have been effective
2. Fish the slow inside bends and deeper pools
3. Fish where you can't see the bottom
Here are a few fly suggestions:
1. Yellow Sally, 14-16
2. Hopper, 10-12
3. Purple chubby, 8-14
4. Purple duracell, 10-12
5. PMD, 12-14
6. TJ. Hooker, 10-14
Flows and looking ahead:
Rock Creek is currently sitting at 243 cfs
Here is a link to the Rock Creek USGS Water Information.
Stop by the shop for the latest report, a coffee from our coffee shop, Jackalope Java, and for everything else you need for your trip. We are open Thursday through Monday 7am-4PM and 7am-11am Tuesday and Wednesday.