Montana ·
Rock Creek Fly Fishing Report - October 4, 2026
ROCK CREEK
ReportOCT 4 — 11, 2026
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Flow
245CFS
Rock Creek near Clinton MT
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Water Temp
52.9°F
Updated 2026-10-03
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Weather
41–78°F
Mostly Clear
💧
Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is running at 245 cfs with excellent clarity — down from 276 cfs just a week ago and squarely in prime wade-fishing range. Water temp is 52.9°F, cool enough to keep trout active throughout the day and pushing fish into feeding lanes ahead of the afternoon warmup.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Egan's GTI Caddis - Olive #12
12
Bionic Hopper - Tan #12
12
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Black #16
16
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
22
Top Secret Baetis #16
16
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
22
Egan's Frenchie #12
12
Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless #12
12
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Jig - Barbless #12
12
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6
6
Tungsten Jig Bugger - Olive - Barbless #14
14
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Purple #16
16
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| October Caddis | 8-10 | Moderate | 2 PM - 6 PM |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | 18-22 | Light | 11 AM - 2 PM |
| Mahogany Dun | 14-16 | Moderate | 12 PM - 3 PM |
| Terrestrials (Ants, Beetles) | 14-18 | Moderate | 10 AM - 4 PM |
| Terrestrials (Hoppers) | 10-12 | Light | 11 AM - 3 PM |
| Midge | 20-24 | Light | 8 AM - 10 AM |
Best Time Window
- 7 AM - 10 AM: Pre-sun nymphing in deeper runs and slots with heavy tungsten before fish move up — best shot at a big brown on a streamer.
- 10 AM - 2 PM: Prime dry fly window; work terrestrials and Mahogany Dun patterns along shaded banks and soft inside seams as temps climb.
- 4 PM - Dusk: October Caddis adults on the move — fish broken pocket water with the GTI Caddis and swing soft hackles through pool tailouts as light fades.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith 245 cfs and gin-clear water, stealth is everything today — approach runs from downstream, stay low, and keep your shadow off the water. The warm, sunny forecast (high near 78°F) means fish will be most active before the sun hits the water and again in the late afternoon as it drops behind the canyon walls. Focus your dry fly game on the shaded east-facing banks from 10 AM through early afternoon, then shift to the October Caddis and streamer bite as shadows lengthen after 4 PM. Wade quietly and resist the urge to cover water fast — in conditions this clear, one spooked fish can shut down an entire run.
Main Species
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
