Montana ·
Rock Creek Fly Fishing Report - January 1/4/2026
ROCK CREEK FLY FISHING REPORT
Montana's Classic Blue‑Ribbon Stream
Report Date: January 4, 2026 | Next Update: January 11, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter pattern in effect — low, very cold, and crystal clear. Fish are concentrated in deeper runs, tailouts and submerged structure. Expect most activity near the warmest micro‑pockets and outgoing seams.
Flows & Clarity
Flow: Low (mostly in the low hundreds CFS at downstream gauges)
Clarity: Very clear — excellent visibility
Notes: Low flows concentrate fish; wading is possible but rocks are slick.
Flow: Low (mostly in the low hundreds CFS at downstream gauges)
Clarity: Very clear — excellent visibility
Notes: Low flows concentrate fish; wading is possible but rocks are slick.
Water Temperature
Current: Mid 30s–upper 30s °F (1–4 °C)
Range: Cold all day — fish will favor deeper, slower water.
Current: Mid 30s–upper 30s °F (1–4 °C)
Range: Cold all day — fish will favor deeper, slower water.
Weather & Forecast
Forecast: Cold, partly cloudy; daytime highs near freezing; light winds expected
Best Window: Warmer afternoon slivers — any sun will quicken surface activity.
Forecast: Cold, partly cloudy; daytime highs near freezing; light winds expected
Best Window: Warmer afternoon slivers — any sun will quicken surface activity.
Access & Safety
Road: Winter conditions possible — check local status
Wading: Wear studded boots and bring a wading staff
Regulations: Confirm local regs before you fish; winter closures on some tribs may apply
Road: Winter conditions possible — check local status
Wading: Wear studded boots and bring a wading staff
Regulations: Confirm local regs before you fish; winter closures on some tribs may apply
Hatch Chart & Insect Activity (early January)
| Insect | Likely Match | Activity | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges | Small zebra / TBH & emerger patterns | Primary food source — steady but subtle | Midday through calm afternoons |
| Baetis / Small Mayflies | Tiny emergers & parachute imitations | Occasional — warm pockets only | Short windows midday |
| Caddis | Mostly subsurface pupae and soft‑hackle imitations | Low — look for evening rises on mild days | Late afternoon to dusk (if temps lift) |
| Stoneflies / Salmonflies | Not expected in winter | None | — |
Recommended Flies — Rock Creek (winter pattern)
In January the Creek fishes like a textbook winter tailwater: small nymphs and tungsten jigs, compact midges, stout soft hackles and meatier streamers on the deep tails. Below are my go‑to selections (links to trusted patterns included). Each group lists dependable choices pulled from current guide shop patterns so you can order the exact flies that work here.
Nymphs (first choice for most water)
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive — small jigged nymph that sinks quickly and rides natural in tight current seams.
- Olsen's Straggle Stone — Brown (barbless) — great for stonefly profiles and heavier runs where trout key on bulky nymphs.
- Roza's World Spain Perdigon (barbless) — tight, glassy Perdigon for deep pocket feeding and Euro rigs.
- Pheasant Tail — Tungsten — the all‑purpose emerger/soft nymph in tiny sizes for picky winter trout.
Dry Flies & Emergents (when the river gives you a warm spell)
- Corn‑fed Caddis (CDC) — Tan — an elegant caddis emerger/patch match with great float and subtle profile.
- Egan's CDC Rainbow Warrior — soft CDC dry/emerger for selective rises on low‑visibility days.
- Parachute — Blue Wing Olive — classic parachute for tiny mayfly opportunities and indicator work.
- Stealth Link Mercer — PMD — sharp emerger profile when mayfly activity spikes for an hour or two.
Streamers & Meat Flies (deep tails and structure)
- Egan's Poacher — Olive — small, dense streamer that fishes well on a swing and in short strips along deeper banks.
- Egan's Poacher — Black — the darker version for low‑light presentations and stained pockets.
- Coffey's Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin — a sculpin profile that triggers aggressive takes in tailouts and pocket water.
- Sculpzilla — Olive — an articulated sculpin for slow, confident strips on deep structure.
Midges & Tiny Winter Patterns
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — a winter staple fished under an indicator or on a team.
- Black Mirage Zebra Midge — compact and irresistible in super‑clear water.
- Tungsten Zebra Midge — Thin Black — for tight, fast drifts in the slick pockets.
- Top Secret Midge — a soft‑touch emerger/midge imitation for ultra‑selective fish.
Terrestrials & Ants (useful along banks and overhanging brush)
- Bionic Ant 2.0 — Black — top terrestrial for sloppy takes when ants drift in the foam lines.
- Bionic Ant — Brown — slightly larger, natural ant profile for bank feeds.
- Bionic Hopper — Tan — keep a hopper around for unexpected foam‑line strikes even in winter warm spells.
- Deer Hair Ant — classic silhouette, high visibility and easy to spot on the surface.
Tactics & Local Tips
Nymphing is your bread and butter. Fish long, weight where necessary, and present slowly: a short sink tip or tungsten beadpoint drops the fly into fish zones. Use a two‑fly team with a heavier point fly and a lighter dropper for picky winter trout.
Euro/indicator setups: Small Perdigons and Frenchie‑style jigs are deadly in low, clear winter flows — keep the leader short and the tippet fine (3X–5X depending on fly size).
Streamers: Concentrate on deeper tails, channel dropoffs, and log/rock structure. Slow strip or swing the fly across current seams — trout in cold water prefer a measured presentation.
When to fish dries: On any sunny, calm afternoon check seams and foam lines — tiny midges and baetis emergers can produce short, explosive windows. Carry small emerger parachutes and CDCs to match those fingerprints.
Safety & stealth: Low visibility means fish spook easily. Move quietly, limit shadows, and when in doubt fish subsurface presentations to avoid wash. Bring traction on your wading boots — the cobbles are treacherous in winter.
Euro/indicator setups: Small Perdigons and Frenchie‑style jigs are deadly in low, clear winter flows — keep the leader short and the tippet fine (3X–5X depending on fly size).
Streamers: Concentrate on deeper tails, channel dropoffs, and log/rock structure. Slow strip or swing the fly across current seams — trout in cold water prefer a measured presentation.
When to fish dries: On any sunny, calm afternoon check seams and foam lines — tiny midges and baetis emergers can produce short, explosive windows. Carry small emerger parachutes and CDCs to match those fingerprints.
Safety & stealth: Low visibility means fish spook easily. Move quietly, limit shadows, and when in doubt fish subsurface presentations to avoid wash. Bring traction on your wading boots — the cobbles are treacherous in winter.
Quick Rigging & Gear Notes
Rods & Lines
9' 4–6 wt for dries/streamers; 10' 3–5 wt or 10' nymph rod with euro head for Euro nymphing; sink tips for streamers.
9' 4–6 wt for dries/streamers; 10' 3–5 wt or 10' nymph rod with euro head for Euro nymphing; sink tips for streamers.
Leaders & Tippets
9' tapered leaders for dries; 7.5' to 9' fluorocarbon for nymphs (3X–6X). Tungsten beads demand shorter, stiffer leaders for detection.
9' tapered leaders for dries; 7.5' to 9' fluorocarbon for nymphs (3X–6X). Tungsten beads demand shorter, stiffer leaders for detection.
Indicators & Weight
Slim indicators, tiny split shot, or micro tungsten beads. Fish the point fly close to the bottom in deep runs.
Slim indicators, tiny split shot, or micro tungsten beads. Fish the point fly close to the bottom in deep runs.
Must‑have accessories
Wading staff, studded boots, polarized lenses, small forceps for cold hands, hand warmers.
Wading staff, studded boots, polarized lenses, small forceps for cold hands, hand warmers.
Where to Focus — Beat Map (short)
- Downstream tailouts and deep seams — fish hold here during the day.
- Runs below riffles — good for nymphs and those Perdigon drifts.
- Structure: mid‑channel boulders, log jams, and undercut banks for streamer strikes.
- Warm micro‑pockets and sunny seams for short dry fly opportunities.
