Montana ·
Rock Creek Fly Fishing Report - August 16, 2026
ROCK CREEK
ReportAUG 16 — 23, 2026
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Flow
325CFS
Rock Creek near Clinton MT
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Water Temp
60.3°F
Updated 2026-08-15
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Weather
50–82°F
Mostly Clear
💧
Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is 325 cfs at the Clinton gauge with a gauge height of 5.38 ft and water temps at 60.3°F — low, clear conditions that make fish easy to spot and equally easy to spook. Hoot owl restrictions are in effect, so your fishing window closes at 2 PM; get on the water at first light and make every drift count.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Bionic Hopper - Tan #12
#12
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Black #16
#16
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22
Tungsten Split Case Nymph - PMD #20
#20
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
#12
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
#22
Egan's Frenchie #12
#12
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Olive #20
#20
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Brown #12
#12
Stealth Link Mercer - PMD #20
#20
Black Zebra Midge(TBH) #20
#20
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spruce Moth | 12-14 | Moderate | 7 AM - 1 PM |
| Caddis | 16-20 | Heavy | 6 AM - 10 AM |
| PMD (Pale Morning Dun) | 18-20 | Moderate | 9 AM - 1 PM |
| Blue-Winged Olive | 20-22 | Light | 7 AM - 9 AM |
| Terrestrials (Ants) | 14-16 | Moderate | 10 AM - 2 PM |
| Midge | 20-22 | Light | 6 AM - 8 AM |
Best Time Window
- 6 AM - 8 AM: First-light midge and caddis window; target glassy pools and slow seams with small dries and nymphs before the sun hits the water.
- 8 AM - 11 AM: Prime dry-fly and nymph time as PMDs and caddis ramp up; work shaded runs and pocket water with terrestrials and emergers.
- 11 AM - 1:45 PM: Terrestrial hour along grassy banks and willow-lined edges; ant and hopper patterns shine — wrap up and clear the water before 2 PM.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith water this low and clear at 60.3°F, stealth is your single biggest advantage — stay low, move slow, and wade only when you must. Target shaded runs and deeper slots first thing in the morning when fish are most active and least pressured. Work upstream, keep your profile below the skyline, and make your first cast count because these fish will only give you one or two chances before they shut down. Be off the water or in the lower, unrestricted sections well before 2 PM — the best fishing is done by then anyway.
Main Species
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
