Montana ·
Rock Creek Fly Fishing Report - November 1, 2026
ROCK CREEK
ReportNOV 1 — 8, 2026
🌊
Flow
292CFS
Rock Creek near Clinton MT
🌡️
Water Temp
42.1°F
Updated 2026-10-31
☀️
Weather
35–46°F
Mostly Cloudy
💧
Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Water is 42.1°F and running 292 cfs at 5.35 ft — slightly off the recent high, clear, and cold enough to push trout tight to the bottom of the deepest, slowest slots. Expect fish to be lethargic until midday warmth arrives, with the best action compressed into a narrow afternoon window.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
22
BWO WD-40 #22
22
Barr's Flashback Emerger - BWO #22
22
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
22
Black Zebra Midge(TBH) #20
20
Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch Barbless #20 - 28
20
Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless #12 - 32
12
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
12
Roza's World Spain Perdigon Barbless #18 - 32
18
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6
6
Lil Bit Craven - Dark Olive #22
22
Top Secret Baetis #16
16
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges | 20-24 | Moderate | 11 AM - 3 PM |
| Blue-Winged Olives (Baetis) | 20-22 | Moderate | 12 PM - 3 PM |
| Stonefly Nymphs (Golden/Winter) | 12-16 | Light | All Day |
| Sculpin / Baitfish | 4-6 | Light | 10 AM - 1 PM |
Best Time Window
- 10 AM - 12 PM: Late-morning nymphing in deep pools as water begins to warm slightly — best shot at active fish before the rain picks up.
- 12 PM - 2:30 PM: Prime BWO and midge hatch window during the warmest part of the cloudy afternoon; watch for risers in slow pool edges.
- 2:30 PM - 4 PM: Last productive nymphing light before temperatures drop — focus on the deepest protected slots with heavy tungsten patterns.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith water at 42°F, trout metabolism is slow — they won't chase, so your drift has to be perfect. Set your indicator depth so your flies are within 6 inches of the bottom, and focus exclusively on the deepest, slowest slots: pool tailouts, the soft water behind large boulders, and plunge pool eddies. Today's light rain after 8 AM will add a slight overcast that can actually trigger a midday BWO hatch, so keep a dry fly ready and watch for subtle surface activity between 11 AM and 2 PM. Wade fishing only on Rock Creek right now, so approach every run from downstream, stay low, and move slowly — the clear water means fish will see you before you see them.
Main Species
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
