Rock Creek Fishing Report, April 28, 2026

Western Montana is in classic late-April spring transition: high but generally fishable flows, water temps still cold (41–48F), and the dry-fly window opening up day-by-day on the Bitterroot, Clark Fork, and Rock Creek behind Skwalas, March Browns, and BWOs. The Blackfoot remains the coldest and pushiest of the four — nymphing and streamers are still the right call there. A warm-up early next week (highs into the 70s) is likely to bump flows again before a cold front and rain/snow Wednesday.

Conditions: Cold and elevated, fishable but not easy · Visibility 2–3 ft · Mid-day water temp 41–45F · Flows near Clinton ~1,000–1,170 cfs, dropping. Pressure is getting noticeably busy on accessible stretches.

Rock Creek dropped and cleared up significantly with the recent cold snap, then bumped back up — visibility has dropped slightly and the water is a little more off-color than it has been. Hungry fish are willing, but it's mostly a subsurface game. Hatches are picking up: BWOs, March Browns, and Gray Drakes alongside Nemouras and Skwalas, with occasional risers in the warmer parts of the day.

Best techniques

• Nymphing is most dependable. Heavier indicator setup to get into slower winter holding water. Soft insides, structure breaks. Pair a stonefly with a smaller trailing nymph or worm.
• Dry-fly when you find risers: blind-fish a Skwala (Water Walker or Plan B). When fish are rising regularly, March Brown imitations like Ms. Tickle Cripple or D&D Cripple. A big Purple Haze is a great option. PT, TJ, San Juan, or Duracell under a foamy Skwala dry is the go-to dry-dropper.
• Streamers: baby trout and sculpin scattered everywhere — heavy patterns along structure. Need weight (sink-tip or heavy fly).

Hatches

Skwalas, BWOs, March Browns, Gray Drakes, Nemouras, Midges.

The Fly Box

Nymphs: Double Bead Stones, Front St. Stones, Rubberlegs, TJ Hookers, Blow Torches, Jig PTs, San Juans, Jig BH Prince, MFC Jig Perdigon - Fire Starter, Jig Batman, Jig Duracell

Streamers: Coffey's Conehead Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex, Lil' Kim, Rio Thin Mint Bugger, Galloup's Mini Peanut Envy, Chicago Overcoat, Bighorn Buggers, Jig Zirdles, Micro-Dungeons, Mini Dungeons, Woolly-Headed Sculpins, Woolly Buggers

Outlook: Decent weekend, highs into the 60s Mon–Tue under partly sunny skies. Watch the snowpack — warmer daytime highs and rising overnight lows mean another bump is likely before Wednesday's cool-down brings snow showers. Warm weather will likely bring the Creek back up later this week.